Early Identification & Support for Dyslexia — What Every Parent Needs to Know (Updated October 2025)

Sarah McGrath
Oct 12
3 min read

Ensuring our children receive the best education is every parent’s priority. This is an updated post on dyslexia, a common learning difficulty affecting reading, writing, and spelling. Around 1 in 5 people have dyslexia, and it often coexists with other conditions — approximately 3 in 10 people with dyslexia also have ADHD. Furthermore, 80–90% of individuals with learning disabilities have dyslexia. Identifying it early is key to providing the right support for a child’s academic progress and emotional well-being. Spotting the Early Signs of Dyslexia No two children show dyslexia in exactly the same way, but there are consistent indicators worth watching for:

Phonological Awareness

Difficulty recognising or manipulating sounds in spoken language.
Trouble with rhyming or identifying sounds within words.

Reading Challenges

Slow, hesitant, or inaccurate reading.
Difficulty decoding unfamiliar words.
Weak spelling despite strong spoken language.

Writing Difficulties

Frequent spelling errors or inconsistent patterns.
Messy or hard-to-read handwriting.

Memory and Sequencing

Struggles remembering sequences like the alphabet or days of the week.
Finds multi-step instructions hard to follow.

Visual and Auditory Processing

Problems processing written or spoken information quickly.
Easily loses place when reading.

Lack of Interest in Reading

Avoids reading tasks.
Dislikes reading aloud or independent reading.

Why Early Intervention Matters

Early identification is crucial. Studies show that children with both language difficulties and a family history of dyslexia are five times more likely to experience reading problems by age 8–9 without early support (University of Oxford).

Structured, multisensory phonics teaching — introduced early — can dramatically reduce the reading gap. Left unaddressed, that gap widens and can impact confidence, behaviour, and long-term attainment (UK Parliament Report).

With our students, we've seen how transformative early action can be. One Year 2 pupil we worked with was reluctant to read aloud, often reversed letters, and couldn’t rhyme. After a structured phonics-based programme and parental involvement, her progress over six months was remarkable — reading independently and with pride.

What to Do If You Spot the Signs

Trust Your Instincts – Parents often notice early patterns teachers might not.
Talk to Your Child – Encourage open discussion about reading frustrations or worries.
Consult the School – Speak to your child’s teacher or SENCO to share observations.
Seek a Professional Assessment – Schools can refer to an Educational Psychologist, or you may commission an independent assessor.

Exam Access and Legal Rights

Under the Equality Act 2010, dyslexia is recognised as a specific learning difficulty, entitling pupils to reasonable adjustments in both classroom and exam settings (British Dyslexia Association).

Common adjustments include:

25% extra time
Reader or scribe
Use of a word processor or assistive technology
Modified papers or rest breaks

These arrangements are based on demonstrated need and must reflect normal classroom practice.

Benefits of Early Screening & Support

Improved Academic Progress – Early intervention enhances reading fluency and accuracy.
Boosted Confidence – Children feel capable and supported, not “different”.
Emotional Resilience – Reduces anxiety and frustration related to schoolwork.
Long-Term Success – Many dyslexic learners go on to excel in problem-solving, design, and creative fields.

Recommended Screening and Support Resources

British Dyslexia Association (BDA) – Reliable information, screening guidance, and legal rights.
Nessy – Engaging online assessments and literacy games.
Dyslexia Action – Assessments and professional support services.
Lexxic – Psychological services offering online dyslexia assessments for children and adults.

References and Sources

Sutton Dyslexia Association, About Dyslexia, 2024 — www.suttondyslexia.org.uk
Snowling, M., University of Oxford, Language and Reading Project Findings, 2024 — www.psy.ox.ac.uk
British Dyslexia Association, Exam Access Arrangements, 2024 — www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
UK Parliament, Teaching Children to Read (Education and Skills Committee Report), updated 2024 — publications.parliament.uk
PubMed, Long-term outcomes of early reading interventions, 2023 — pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov