There are some early signs that may indicate dyslexia, especially when a child starts learning to read. Some clues that a child may be at risk of dyslexia includes late talking, learning new words slowly, problems forming words correctly, problems remembering letters/numbers/colors, and difficulty learning nursery rhymes. Additionally, once a child had entered schooling, more symptoms may become apparent such as reading well below the expected level for their age, problems processing what they hear, difficulty finding the right word, inability to sound out pronunciation of unknown words, difficulty spelling, or avoiding activities that involve reading.

Dyslexia tends to run in families because it is linked to certain genes that affect how the brain processes reading and language. Risk factors include a family history of dyslexia, premature birth, exposure during pregnancy to nicotine, drugs, or alcohol, and differences in the parts of the brain that enable reading. Dyslexia can lead to trouble learning in school, social problems, and more problems as adults.

Most children with dyslexia are unable to grasp the basics of reading. It is important to speak with doctors if the child’s reading level is well below what’s expected. When dyslexia goes undiagnosed and untreated, childhood reading difficulties can continue into adulthood.