Warning Signs of Dyslexia in Kids

Updated: Nov 10

Does your child seem bright and curious, but still struggle with reading or spelling? Maybe they mix up letters, guess at words, or forget spelling rules they’ve “learned” over and over again. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. These can be early signs of dyslexia

If a child exhibits three or more of the following signs of dyslexia, it’s worth looking deeper. Early identification and structured support can dramatically change a child’s learning path.

A child exhbiting three or more warning signs of dyslexia in kindergarten.

At Hammond Bell, our certified dyslexia tutors use research-backed methods like the Barton Reading and Spelling System and Orton-Gillingham-based instruction to help students build confidence and reading skills that last.

This guide—adapted with permission from Susan Barton, leading dyslexia expert and creator of the Barton System—breaks down warning signs by age group so parents, teachers, and caregivers can better understand what to watch for.

Common Signs of Dyslexia in Kids by Age Group

In Preschool

delayed speech
mixing up the sounds and syllables in long words
chronic ear infections
severe reactions to childhood illnesses constant confusion of left versus right
late establishing a dominant hand
difficulty learning to tie shoes
trouble memorizing their address, phone
number, or the alphabet
can't create words that rhyme
a close relative with dyslexia

In Elementary School

dysgraphia (slow, non-automatic handwriting that is difficult to read)
letter or number reversals continuing past the end of first grade
extreme difficulty learning cursive
slow, choppy, inaccurate reading:
guesses based on shape or context
skips or misreads prepositions (at, to, of)
ignores suffixes
can't sound out unknown words
terrible spelling
often can't remember sight words (they, were, does)
or homonyms (their, they're, and there)
difficulty telling time with a clock with hands
trouble with math:
memorizing multiplication tables
memorizing a sequence of steps
directionality
when speaking, difficulty finding the correct word:
lots of "whatyamacallits" and "thingies"
common sayings come out slightly twisted
extremely messy bedroom, backpack, and desk
dreads going to school:
complains of stomach aches or headaches
may have nightmares about school

In High School

All of the above symptoms plus: limited vocabulary

extremely poor written expression
large discrepancy between verbal skills
and written compositions
unable to master a foreign language
difficulty reading printed music
poor grades in many classes
may drop out of high school

In Adults

Education history similar to above, plus:

slow reader
may have to read a page 2 or 3 times to understand it
terrible speller
difficulty putting thoughts onto paper:
dreads writing memos or letters
still has difficulty with right versus left
often gets lost, even in a familiar city
sometimes confuses b and d, especially when tired or sick

Reprinted with prior permission from Susan Barton. To learn more about Dyslexia, visit bartonreading.com and brightsolutions.us.

What To Do If You See These Signs

If these signs sound familiar, the most important step is to learn more. At Hammond Bell Educational Services, we specialize in Orton-Gillingham and Barton tutoring—proven, research-based programs designed for students with dyslexia. We encourage you to reach out for a free dyslexia consultation with one of our certified specialists. You don’t have to figure this out alone. With early, research-based intervention, and the right support, children with dyslexia can not only learn to read and spell—but also gain the confidence to enjoy learning again.

Before committing to online dyslexia tutoring, using trusted programs like Barton and Orton-Gillingham, we offer a free online demo lesson and dyslexia screener to help you understand how your child learns and what supports will make the biggest difference.