Introduction
Every child learns in their own way. But when reading or writing seems to cause your child distress, confusion or avoidance, it’s natural to worry. Dyslexia is more common than many parents realise, affecting around one in ten people, and early identification can make a significant difference to a child’s confidence and progress at school.
Understanding the early signs can help you decide when it may be time to explore a dyslexia assessment, and most importantly, how to support your child in the meantime.
Understanding dyslexia
Dyslexia is a specific learning difference that affects how the brain processes language. It doesn’t relate to intelligence, and many children with dyslexia show exceptional strengths in creativity, problem-solving and verbal reasoning.
Children with dyslexia often find tasks like reading, spelling, or remembering sequences of information more difficult. These challenges can sometimes be missed in the early years, particularly when children develop strategies to compensate.
Early signs to look for
While every child is unique, there are some common patterns that might suggest a need for further investigation. You may notice your child:
In early primary years
Struggles to recognise familiar letters or sounds.
Has difficulty remembering rhymes, songs or the alphabet sequence.
Mixes up the order of letters or words when reading aloud.
Avoids reading or becomes anxious when asked to do so.
In later primary and beyond
Finds spelling inconsistently challenging, even for familiar words.
Reads slowly or needs to re-read to understand meaning.
Struggles to copy from the board or remember written instructions.
Feels frustrated or ‘behind’ compared to peers, despite clear effort
If these signs sound familiar, you’re not alone. Many parents describe a sense that something “just isn’t clicking” for their child, even when extra reading support is in place.
Why an early dyslexia assessment matters
Early identification isn’t just about labelling; it’s about understanding. A diagnostic dyslexia assessment provides a detailed picture of your child’s strengths and areas of difficulty, offering clarity where there has been uncertainty.
This insight allows parents and teachers to:
Tailor learning support strategies at home and in school.
Build confidence by focusing on a child’s strengths.
Reduce frustration linked to unmet learning needs.
Access additional support, such as exam arrangements or specialist tuition.
Without assessment, children can sometimes internalise the idea that they’re “not good at reading” when in fact, they simply need a different route to learning.
How we can help
At London Children’s Practice, our diagnostic team specialises in comprehensive dyslexia assessments for children and young people. Each assessment is carried out by an experienced Educational Psychologist, following national guidelines.
We make the process supportive and straightforward:
1. Pre-assessment discussion: to understand your child’s background and any concerns.
2. One-to-one assessment session: age-appropriate tasks exploring reading, spelling, working memory and processing skills.
3. Clear, jargon-free report: outlining findings and personalised recommendations.
4. Follow-up conversation: to discuss results and next steps, including sharing strategies with your child’s school if you wish.
Our goal is to help you feel informed, reassured and ready to support your child’s progress with practical, achievable steps.
What to do next
If you’re beginning to notice the signs described above, or if you’ve been advised by your child’s teacher to seek further investigation, we’re here to help.
Book a Dyslexia Assessment today and take the first step towards understanding your child’s learning profile.
With the right support, children with dyslexia can flourish, academically and emotionally, and rediscover confidence in their ability to learn.
