​​​​​​What is dyslexia?
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​​​​​If your child is struggling with reading, spelling or writing you may be wondering if dyslexia could be the reason.
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​At Flourish Dyslexia, we understand how worrying it can feel when learning doesn’t come easily. This page explains what dyslexia is, the signs to look out for and the next steps you can take if you’re concerned.
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​Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty (SpLD) that affects how the brain processes language, particularly the sounds within words. This can make skills such as reading, spelling and writing harder to master, even when a child has received good teaching and support.
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Importantly, dyslexia is not related to intelligence or effort. Many children with dyslexia are bright, creative and capable but they may need specialist strategies and support to thrive at school and at home.
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Early Signs of Dyslexia​
Some indicators of dyslexia can appear before formal reading begins.
These may include:
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Difficulty recognising rhymes or playing with sounds in words
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Struggling to remember nursery rhymes or songs
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Mixing up letters or speech sounds
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Slow to learn the alphabet, colours or days of the week
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Delayed speech or trouble learning new vocabulary
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Signs of Dyslexia in Older Children​
​As children move through school, signs of dyslexia may become clearer.
​Common indicators include:
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Difficulty sounding out unfamiliar words (decoding)
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Ongoing struggles with spelling, even simple words
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Slow or effortful reading
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Trouble remembering sequences (e.g. alphabet, times tables)
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Difficulty following multi-step instructions
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Avoidance of reading or writing tasks
Some children may also:
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Find it harder to understand what they read
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Struggle to process spoken instructions quickly
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Take longer to learn new vocabulary or languages
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Have difficulty remembering recently learned information
What to Do if You’re Concerned
​If you think your child may be dyslexic, here are some steps you can take:
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Talk to your child’s teacher or SENCo to share your concerns
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Keep notes of the difficulties you notice at home and in school
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Consider a private dyslexia assessment for clarity, tailored advice and access to the right support
