If you’ve noticed your child struggling with reading, spelling, or remembering what they’ve learned, you might be wondering: Could my child be dyslexic? It’s natural to feel worried or even a little overwhelmed. But the good news is that dyslexia is well-understood, and with the right support, children with dyslexia can thrive. Taking action early makes a big difference and these practical steps will help you move forward with confidence. Step 1: Recognise the Signs Every child is unique, but there are some common signs that may suggest dyslexia. These can look different depending on your child’s age: Difficulty sounding out words or recognising familiar ones. Struggling to remember sequences, such as days of the week or the alphabet. Avoiding reading or writing tasks. Slow reading speed, even with familiar books. Spelling words differently each time. Remember, dyslexia is about differences in how the brain processes language, not about intelligence. Many children with dyslexia are highly creative and have strong problem-solving skills. Step 2: Keep Records of What You Notice If you suspect dyslexia, it’s helpful to keep a log of: Examples of your child’s writing or spelling. Feedback from teachers or homework notes. Your own observations of when reading or writing seems hardest. This information will be valuable when you speak to your child’s school or consider an assessment. It helps professionals see patterns and understand your child’s strengths and challenges. Step 3: Speak to the School The next step is to have an open conversation with your child’s teacher or the school SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator). Depending on what the school says and your own feelings after that conversation, you may want to consider arranging a more detailed dyslexia screener or full diagnostic assessment. This could be through the school (if available) or privately for a faster and more in-depth understanding of your child’s learning profile. Step 4: Consider a Dyslexia Assessment A full diagnostic assessment can give you a clearer picture of your child’s learning profile. This can: Confirm whether your child has dyslexia. Identify their strengths and needs. Provide recommendations for support at home and school. You can request an assessment via the school, but waiting times can be long. Many parents choose a private assessment with a specialist assessor or educational psychologist for faster results. Step 5: Support Your Child at Home Whether or not you have a formal diagnosis yet, you can start making small changes to help your child right away: Use multi-sensory learning: combine sight, sound, and movement when learning new words. Break tasks into small steps: this makes learning less overwhelming. Read together daily: let them read part of the book and you read the rest to keep it enjoyable. Play word and memory games: to build skills in a fun way. The key is to keep learning positive so your child doesn’t lose confidence. Step 6: Build Your Child’s Confidence Dyslexia can sometimes affect self-esteem, especially if your child feels “different” from classmates. Remind them that everyone learns in their own way, and many successful people have dyslexia, from entrepreneurs to authors and inventors. Praise effort, not just results, and celebrate progress, however small. A confident, motivated child is far more likely to succeed. Step 7: Learn and Connect The more you understand about dyslexia, the better you can support your child Read books and guides on dyslexia. Join online parent groups or local support networks. Explore reputable websites like the British Dyslexia Association and PATOSS. Connecting with other parents can give you encouragement, ideas, and reassurance that you’re not on this journey alone. Final Thoughts If you suspect your child has dyslexia, the most important thing is to take action. If you’d like tailored advice or to arrange a dyslexia assessment, I can help. Together, we can understand your child’s learning profile and create a plan that builds on their strengths. Ready to Take the Next Step? If you’re concerned about your child’s reading, spelling, or learning, you don’t have to figure it out alone. At Flourish Dyslexia, I offer professional, full diagnostic dyslexia assessments for children, giving you a clear understanding of their strengths and challenges, along with practical, tailored recommendations for home and school. Visit my website to learn more about how I can support your family: www.flourishdyslexia.com

Drawing and Talking Logo Understanding the Whole Child: Why Therapy Matters When a child is struggling with learning, whether it’s due to dyslexia, ADHD, or another special educational need (SEN), it’s easy to focus only on academic support. But learning doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s deeply connected to how a child feels. That’s where therapeutic approaches like Drawing and Talking come in. They help children process emotions, reduce anxiety, and feel more secure, creating the emotional foundations needed for learning and progress. What Is Drawing and Talking Therapy? Drawing and Talking is a gentle, non-intrusive therapeutic intervention designed to help children express their thoughts and feelings through art. Rather than focusing on the content of the drawings, the approach gives children a safe, confidential space to “tell their story” over time. It’s not about teaching drawing skills or analysing artwork, it’s about building trust, connection, and emotional safety. Why Is This Support Important for Dyslexic and SEN Children? Children with dyslexia or other learning differences often experience: Anxiety around school or learning Frustration from feeling misunderstood Low self-esteem after repeated challenges Social difficulties or feeling “different” from peers These feelings can build up quietly over time and affect a child’s mental health, motivation, and ability to engage with learning. Drawing and Talking offers a safe, contained space where children can: Offload worries without pressure Build emotional resilience Develop self-understanding Feel seen and heard What Does a Session Look Like? Each Drawing and Talking session: Lasts around 30 minutes Takes place at the same time each week for 12 weeks Involves drawing and open, non-directive conversation Is child-led and non-judgemental The adult does not ask questions or try to interpret the drawings. This allows the child to process at their own pace. The Impact on Learning and Wellbeing By helping children feel emotionally supported and regulated, therapeutic support can: Improve focus and engagement in class Reduce school-related anxiety Boost confidence and self-worth Help children feel safe enough to take risks in learning For a child with dyslexia who may feel like they’re constantly “getting things wrong,” this kind of support can be a game-changer. Why Emotional Support Should Sit Alongside Academic Support For many dyslexic and SEN learners, emotional barriers are just as real as academic ones. A whole-child approach recognises that therapeutic support is not a luxury, it’s a necessary part of helping children flourish. At Flourish Dyslexia, we understand that learning happens best when a child feels safe, confident, and connected. That’s why we believe therapeutic interventions like Drawing and Talking should be offered alongside assessments and academic support. Could My Child Benefit from Drawing and Talking? If your child: Shows signs of anxiety, withdrawal, or low self-esteem Avoids schoolwork or talks negatively about their abilities Has experienced change, trauma, or loss Finds it hard to talk about their feelings…Drawing and Talking could be a gentle, effective support. Final Thoughts: Supporting the Whole Child Dyslexia and other learning needs don’t just affect spelling and reading—they touch every part of a child’s life. By combining learning assessments with emotional support, we can help children feel understood, empowered, and ready to move forward. If you’d like to find out more about how Drawing and Talking could help your child, or how we integrate emotional wellbeing into our assessments at Flourish Dyslexia, please get in touch . We’re here to help your child flourish, emotionally, academically, and beyond.

What If My Child Doesn’t Get a Dyslexia Diagnosis? If you're thinking about a dyslexia assessment for your child, you might be wondering: What happens if no diagnosis is given? It’s a common and important question and one we’re asked often. At Flourish Dyslexia, we understand that every child is unique. Whether or not your child receives a formal diagnosis of dyslexia, a high-quality assessment is always a valuable step toward understanding their learning profile. In this blog, we’ll explain: What a diagnostic assessment looks at What it means if there’s no dyslexia diagnosis Why the process still gives you powerful insight What support is still available for your child What Does a Dyslexia Assessment Include? A full diagnostic assessment explores a wide range of cognitive and literacy skills, including: ✅ Reading and spelling accuracy ✅ Speed of reading and writing ✅ Phonological processing (how your child identifies and works with sounds) ✅ Working memory and processing speed ✅ Vocabulary and verbal reasoning The results are compared to what’s expected for your child’s age. If the assessment shows a pattern consistent with dyslexia, a diagnosis may be made. What If My Child Doesn’t Meet the Criteria? Even if a formal diagnosis isn’t given, the assessment is still incredibly useful. You’ll receive: ✅ A detailed learner profile outlining your child’s strengths and difficulties ✅ Insight into cognitive processes such as memory, processing, and phonological awareness ✅ Clear, practical recommendations tailored to your child’s needs Think of the report as a learning roadmap, helping you and your child understand how they learn best and what supports can help them succeed Understanding the Whole Learner Some children may show traits of a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) even if they don’t fully meet the criteria for dyslexia. For example: They may struggle with working memory They might find processing information more slowly than peers There could be mild phonological difficulties affecting reading or spelling What Happens Next? If your child does not receive a dyslexia diagnosis, we will still: ✅ Offer a full feedback session to walk you through the results ✅ Provide a detailed, jargon-free report ✅ Share specific, personalised next steps for support ✅ Explore further help where needed (e.g. specialist tuition, school liaison, or language support) Our aim is always to empower families with clarity and confidence. Will My Child Still Get Support at School? One of the biggest concerns parents have is: Will my child still get help at school without a diagnosis? The answer is yes.Schools are expected to support children based on need, not just labels. Your child’s report will include: ✅ Classroom strategies and adjustments ✅ Suggested interventions ✅ Guidance to help teachers understand how to support your child This empowers both parents and schools to take action, even in the absence of a formal diagnosis. Want to Know More? If you’re considering an assessment or have questions about whether it’s the right time, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us today to learn how we can help your child flourish.