Though dyslexia can occasionally be diagnosed at an early age, it usually becomes more obvious when a child starts school and begins focusing on how to read and write.
Symptoms of dyslexia in children aged 5 to 12 years include:
- Problems learning the names and sounds of letters
- Inconsistent spelling
- Confusing letters that look similar and putting letters the wrong way round (such as writing “p” instead of “d”)
- Confusing the order of letters in words
- Answering questions well orally, but struggling to write an answer down
- Struggling to carry out directions or learn sequences such as days of the week
- Slow writing speed
- Poor handwriting
- Poor phonological awareness