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Indicators of Dyslexia have been separated into age groups. Click on each section below to get more information about a specific age group. There is a downloadable PDF at the end of each section.
Click on the document below to download indicators for all ages. A dyslexia friendly version is also included to show how documents can be presented in a way that is easier to read for some students with dyslexia.
Indicators of Dyslexia - All Ages.pdfDyslexia Friendly - Indicators of Dyslexia - All Ages.pdfSigns of dyslexia (Early Years)
Downloadable PDF - Signs of Dyslexia - Early Years
Information adapted from the British Dyslexia Association
Signs of dyslexia (Early Years)
The following indicators may suggest that a student has a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) such as dyslexia. Many young children will display these behaviours and make these mistakes. It is the severity of the behaviour and the length of time it persists which give vital clues to identifying a difficulty such as dyslexia.
Indicators
Difficulty learning nursery rhymes
Difficulty paying attention, sitting still, listening to stories
Likes listening to stories but shows no interest in letters or word
Difficulty learning to sing or recite the alphabet
A history of slow speech development
Muddles words e.g. cubumber, flutterby
Difficulty keeping simple rhythm
Finds it hard to carry out two or more instructions at one time, (e.g. put the toys in the box, then put it on the shelf) but is fine if tasks are presented in smaller units
Forgets names of friends, teacher, colours etc.
Poor auditory discrimination
Confusion between directional words e.g. up/down
Family history of dyslexia/reading difficulties
Difficulty with sequencing e.g. coloured beads, classroom routines
Substitutes words e.g. "lampshade" for "lamppost"
Appears not to be listening or paying attention
Obvious 'good' and 'bad' days for no apparent reason
Signs of dyslexia (Primary school age)
Downloadable PDF - Signs of Dyslexia - Primary School Age
Information adapted from the British Dyslexia Association
Signs of dyslexia (Primary school age)
If a child appears to be struggling with spelling, reading, writing or numeracy, how do you know whether these difficulties are potential indications of dyslexia?
There are some obvious signs such as a 'spiky' profile which means that a child has areas of strong ability alongside areas of weakness. You may also have other family members with similar weaknesses. Remember that not all dyslexic children will display the same weaknesses and abilities.
General signs to look for are:
Speed of processing: slow spoken and/or written language
Poor concentration
Difficulty following instructions
Forgetting words
Written work
Poor standard of written work compared with oral ability
Produces messy work with many crossings out and words tried several times, e.g. wippe, wype, wiep, wipe
Confused by letters which look similar, particularly b/d, p/g, p/q, n/u, m/w
Poor handwriting with many ‘reversals’ and badly formed letters
Spells a word several different ways in one piece of writing
Makes anagrams of words, e.g. tired for tried, bread for beard
Produces badly set-out written work, doesn’t stay close to the margin
Poor pencil grip
Produces phonetic and bizarre spelling: not age/ability appropriate
Uses unusual sequencing of letters or words
Reading
Slow reading progress
Finds it difficult to blend letters together
Has difficulty in establishing syllable division or knowing the beginnings and endings of words
Unusual pronunciation of words
No expression in reading, and poor comprehension
Hesitant and laboured reading, especially when reading aloud
Misses out words when reading, or adds extra words
Fails to recognise familiar words
Loses the point of a story being read or written
Has difficulty in picking out the most important points from a passage
Numeracy
Confusion with place value e.g. units, tens, hundreds
Confused by symbols such as + and x signs
Difficulty remembering anything in a sequential order, e.g. tables, days of the week, the alphabet
Time
Has difficulty learning to tell the time
Poor time keeping
Poor personal organisation
Difficulty remembering what day of the week it is, their birth date, seasons of the year, months of the year
Difficulty with concepts – yesterday, today, tomorrow
Skills
Poor motor skills, leading to weaknesses in speed, control and accuracy of the pencil
Memory difficulties e.g. for daily routines, self-organisation, rote learning
Confused by the difference between left and right, up and down, east and west
Indeterminate hand preference
Performs unevenly from day to day
Behaviour
Uses work avoidance tactics, such as sharpening pencils and looking for books
Seems ‘dreamy’, does not seem to listen
Easily distracted
Is the class clown or is disruptive or withdrawn
Is excessively tired due to amount of concentration and effort required
Signs of dyslexia (Secondary school age)
Downloadable PDF - Indicators of Dyslexia - Secondary School Age
Information adapted from the British Dyslexia Association
Signs of dyslexia (Secondary school age)
Dyslexia is a combination of abilities as well as difficulties. It is the disparity between them that is often the give-away clue. A dyslexic learner, despite certain areas of difficulty, may be orally very able and knowledgeable, creative, artistic, or sporting. Alongside these abilities will be a cluster of difficulties - these will be different for every person.
Dyslexia can only be diagnosed through a Diagnostic Assessment. However, there are indicators which can help you to identify a young person who may be dyslexic.
Written work
Has a poor standard of written work compared with oral ability
Has poor handwriting with badly formed letters or has neat handwriting, but writes very slowly
Produces badly set out or messy written work, with spellings crossed out several times
Spells the same word differently in one piece of work
Has difficulty with punctuation and/or grammar
Confuses upper and lower case letters
Writes a great deal but 'loses the thread'
Writes very little, but to the point
Has difficulty taking notes in lessons
Has difficulty with organisation of homework
Finds tasks difficult to complete on time
Appears to know more than they can commit to paper
Reading
Is hesitant and laboured, especially when reading aloud
Omits, repeats or adds extra words
Reads at a reasonable rate, but has a low level of comprehension
Fails to recognise familiar words
Misses a line or repeats the same line twice
Loses their place easily/uses a finger or marker to keep the place
Has difficulty in pin-pointing the main idea in a passage
Has difficulty using dictionaries, directories, encyclopaedias
Numeracy
Has difficulty remembering tables and/or basic number sets
Finds sequencing problematic
Confuses signs such as x for +
Can think at a high level in mathematics, but needs a calculator for simple calculations
Misreads questions that include words
Finds mental arithmetic at speed very difficult
Finds memorising formulae difficult
Other areas
Confuses direction - left/right
Has difficulty in learning foreign languages
Has difficulty in finding the name for an object
Has clear difficulties processing information at speed
Misunderstands complicated questions
Finds holding a list of instructions in memory difficult, although can perform all tasks when told individually
Behaviour
Is disorganised or forgetful e.g. over sports equipment, lessons, homework, appointments
Is easily distracted. May find it difficult to remain focused on the task
Is often in the wrong place at the wrong time
Is excessively tired, due to the amount of concentration and effort required
Dyslexia is often associated with descriptions of 'words moving on the page' and difficulties with reading black print on white paper. However it is important to note that this is in fact a different issue termed as 'Visual Stress' or 'Irlen Syndrome'.
Many students with Dyslexia also experience Visual Stress which is why the two are often associated. Click on the button below for further information on Visual Stress and strategies to support it.
If you have concerns about your student potentially having dyslexia, you can use the checklist below as an initial assessment of need. Click on the top right corner to download a PDF copy.
Dyslexia checklist.pdfClick below for more information:
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