Is your child struggling with reading, spelling, or writing despite putting in the effort? Maybe they avoid books, guess words rather than sounding them out, or find it hard to keep up with classmates. If this sounds familiar, you might be wondering if dyslexia could be the reason.
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that affects how the brain processes written language. It is not a reflection of intelligence – in fact, many children with dyslexia are bright and capable but face unexpected difficulties when learning to read and write.
For parents, the challenge is often knowing whether their child is simply developing literacy skills at their own pace or whether an assessment is needed. That’s where a dyslexia assessment with a child psychologist can help.
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a neurological difference that affects a child’s ability to recognise and process written words. It makes reading, spelling, and writing more difficult, even when a child has had structured literacy instruction.
Dyslexia is not caused by laziness or lack of intelligence – it is simply a different way of processing language. Many children with dyslexia are bright, creative, and great problem-solvers, but they need different strategies to help them succeed in reading and writing.
Why Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Difficulty
A child with dyslexia is not struggling due to a lack of intelligence or effort. – they have the ability to learn, but something is interfering with their ability to apply that learning when it comes to reading and writing.
The Discrepancy Between Potential and Performance
Children with dyslexia often show a gap between their cognitive ability and their academic performance. This means:
- They understand spoken language well but struggle when it comes to processing written words.
- They grasp new concepts when explained verbally but find it hard to read and spell words correctly.
- They put in effort but make slower progress in literacy compared to their peers.
This is why dyslexia assessments look at both intellectual ability and literacy skills, helping to identify whether a child’s struggles are due to a specific learning difficulty rather than other factors like motivation or lack of practice.
Does Dyslexia Run in Families?
Yes. Studies have shown that dyslexia often runs in families. If you, your partner, or a close relative has struggled with reading and spelling, there is a higher chance your child may also have dyslexia.
Signs of Dyslexia in Children – When to Consider an Assessment
It’s common for children to take time learning to read, but some continue to struggle even after plenty of support. If your child has had at least 6 months of structured literacy instruction and is still falling behind, a dyslexia assessment may be the next step.
Common signs of dyslexia in school-aged children:
- Difficulty recognising letters and matching them to sounds
- Struggling to blend sounds to read words
- Mixing up similar-looking letters, such as ‘b’ and ‘d’
- Difficulty remembering sight words, like ‘the’ or ‘said’
- Slow and effortful reading, often guessing words instead of sounding them out
- Avoiding reading altogether, saying it’s too hard
- Spelling words as they sound, rather than using correct spelling patterns
- Trouble with rhyming words, clapping syllables, or breaking words into sounds
When Can Dyslexia Be Diagnosed?
Many parents notice reading struggles early, but a formal dyslexia diagnosis requires at least six months of structured literacy instruction.
Why can’t dyslexia be diagnosed in preschool?
Before starting school, children develop reading skills at different rates. Some simply take longer to grasp early literacy concepts, and for many, their difficulties resolve with practice and support.
A dyslexia assessment is most reliable after a child has received structured reading and spelling instruction.
Waiting until your child is in the second half of Kindergarten or Year One allows our child psychologists to determine whether your child’s struggles are due to natural learning differences or an underlying learning difficulty.
If your child is older, has been at school for a year or more and is still struggling with reading and writing, it may be time for a dyslexia assessment.
Dyslexia Testing for Children – How to Get a Diagnosis
A dyslexia assessment looks at a child’s cognitive abilities, phonological skills, reading, and writing to determine whether their literacy difficulties are due to a specific learning difficulty.
What a Dyslexia Assessment Includes:
- A review of your child’s learning history – to understand past reading development and school experiences.
- Standardised reading and spelling assessments – to measure current literacy skills.
- Phonological awareness testing – to check how well a child processes sounds in words.
- Cognitive assessments (WISC and WIAT) – to compare a child’s intellectual ability with their reading, writing and learning performance.
- A comprehensive report – outlining the results and tailored recommendations for home and school support.
At Kids First, our child psychologists often collaborate with our speech pathologists to ensure that families receive a holistic understanding of their child’s literacy needs.
Why Early Identification Matters
Some parents wonder whether their child will “grow out of it.” The reality is that dyslexia does not go away – and without the right support, it can affect learning well into high school and beyond.
A formal dyslexia diagnosis ensures:
- Your child gets support at school – Schools can provide learning adjustments, extra help, and structured literacy interventions.
- You understand how your child learns best – Knowing that a child has dyslexia can help you to work with teachers and advocate for the right support at school.
- Your child gains confidence – Without intervention, children with dyslexia often feel frustrated and discouraged. Early support makes a huge difference.
- Future success – Dyslexia doesn’t just affect school. Without support, it can impact university, employment, and daily life. Early diagnosis helps children develop strong strategies that will benefit them long-term.
Next Steps – Book a Dyslexia Assessment
If your child is showing signs of dyslexia, or if reading and writing difficulties run in your family, a comprehensive assessment is the first step towards getting the right support.
Kids First Children’s Services is located in Sydney’s northern beaches and offers dyslexia assessments for children aged six and over.
If you need answers to help your child move forward with confidence, we’re here to help.
Connect with us here to chat about your child’s needs or to schedule a dyslexia assessment.
