Understanding Dyslexia
Learn how dyslexia affects children's reading and what you can do to help
What Is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a common learning difference that affects how the brain processes written language. It is not a sign of low intelligence or laziness — children with dyslexia are often bright and creative, but they struggle with reading, spelling, and writing because their brains process language differently.
Dyslexia is estimated to affect up to 20% of the population to some degree. With the right support and instruction, children with dyslexia can become confident, capable readers.
How Dyslexia Affects Reading & Learning
Children with dyslexia often have difficulty connecting letters to the sounds they represent, which makes decoding words slow and effortful. This can lead to challenges with reading fluency, comprehension, and spelling.
Because reading is foundational to so much of school, children with dyslexia may also struggle with writing assignments, following written instructions, and keeping up with grade-level expectations — even when they understand the material when it is presented verbally.
Over time, these challenges can affect a child's confidence and motivation. Early identification and targeted instruction make a significant difference in helping children build the skills they need to succeed.
Signs & Symptoms in Children
Every child is different, but common signs of dyslexia include:
- Difficulty learning letter names and their associated sounds
- Trouble sounding out unfamiliar words
- Reading slowly or avoiding reading aloud
- Frequently guessing at words based on the first letter or context
- Difficulty with spelling, even common words
- Mixing up similar-looking letters (such as b and d) beyond early grades
- Struggling to remember sight words despite repeated practice
- Strong verbal skills but weaker written expression
If you notice several of these signs in your child, it may be worth exploring whether dyslexia is a factor. A targeted approach to reading instruction can help your child make meaningful progress.
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a neurological condition in which a child has difficulty expressing their thoughts into written language. It often appears in addition to a dyslexia diagnosis, though it is distinct. Dysgraphia can present with many different symptoms.
Writing is a complex process that involves many physical skills and mental functions, including:
- Fine motor skills
- Spatial perception (ability to perceive the space around you)
- Working memory (ability to hold and manipulate information in your mind)
- Orthographic coding (ability to form, store and recall letters, numbers and symbols)
- Language processing
- Conceptualization
- Organization
Our EBLI instructor can utilize her background in Occupational Therapy to work on each child's required needs. The EBLI approach also focuses heavily on "proper" handwriting, using the Peterson handwriting prompts to guide children into becoming better writers. Children who make letters incorrectly tend to see letters incorrectly, and this easy change can make a big impact on a child's recognition and understanding.
"What EBLI Did for the Students Orton Gillingham Couldn't Reach"
Additional Resources
- Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity — Dyslexia FAQ
- Stanford Medicine — Reading-Specific Region Differs in Dyslexic Brain
- International Dyslexia Association — Dyslexia Basics
- National Library of Medicine — Dyslexia Overview
Free Books for Children Scoring Below Grade Level
Personalized Support for Every Learner
Every child with dyslexia has unique strengths and challenges. Our approach meets your child where they are, building on what they already know to create a path toward confident, independent reading.
Ready to Help Your Child?
If you think your child may have dyslexia, or if they are struggling with reading, reach out to learn how specialized tutoring can make a difference.
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