Is my child dyslexic?

Signs of Dyslexia in Secondary School-Aged Children
Dyslexia is a combination of strengths and challenges, with the contrast between them often serving as a key indicator. A dyslexic learner may demonstrate exceptional oral ability, creativity, artistic talent, or athletic skill, while simultaneously facing a cluster of difficulties. These challenges vary from person to person, making each individual’s experience with dyslexia unique.

Although dyslexia can only be formally diagnosed through a Diagnostic Assessment, certain signs can indicate a young person might be dyslexic.

Written Work:
  • Produces written work that is below their oral ability
  • Exhibits poor handwriting with poorly formed letters, or has neat handwriting but writes very slowly
  • Creates messy work with multiple spelling corrections
  • Spells the same word differently within the same piece of writing
  • Struggles with punctuation and grammar
  • Confuses uppercase and lowercase letters
  • Writes a lot but loses the thread of their ideas
  • Writes very little but stays concise and to the point
  • Finds note-taking challenging
  • Struggles with organizing and completing homework on time
  • Appears to know more than they can express on paper

Reading:
  • Reads hesitantly and laboriously, especially aloud
  • Omits, repeats, or adds extra words while reading
  • Reads at an acceptable pace but has low comprehension
  • Fails to recognize familiar words
  • Misses or repeats lines while reading
  • Uses a finger or marker to keep their place in the text
  • Struggles to identify the main idea in a passage
  • Has difficulty using tools like dictionaries, directories, or encyclopedia


Numeracy:
  • Struggles to remember times tables or basic number sequences
  • Finds sequencing tasks challenging
  • Confuses symbols like x and +
  • Can grasp advanced mathematical concepts but relies on a calculator for simple calculations
  • Misinterprets word-based math problems
  • Struggles with quick mental arithmetic
  • Finds it difficult to memorize mathematical formulas

Other Areas
  • Confuses directions (e.g., left/right)
  • Has difficulty learning foreign languages
  • Struggles to find the right word for objects
  • Processes information slowly
  • Misunderstands complex questions
  • Struggles to remember multi-step instructions but can perform tasks when given step-by-step guidance
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Behavior
  • Is disorganized or forgetful about items like sports equipment, homework, or appointments
  • Gets easily distracted and finds it hard to focus
  • Is often in the wrong place at the wrong time
  • Appears excessively tired due to the concentration and effort required
A combination of these indicators, alongside notable strengths, may point to dyslexia and warrant further investigation.

Next Steps

If you suspect your child may have dyslexia, the first step is to discuss your concerns with your child’s teacher or the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo). The teacher should consult with the SENCo to explore next steps and determine appropriate support.

According to the SEND Code of Practice, if a teacher suspects a child may have special educational needs (SEN), they must inform the parents and involve them in discussions about the best support for their child. Parents must also be informed about any special educational provisions being made.

It's essential that appropriate support is implemented as soon as a need is identified. A Diagnostic Assessment is not required for a child to receive SEN support, but dyslexia can only be formally diagnosed through a diagnostic assessment.

To find out more about screening and assessments email us at: info@set.foundation.

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