5 Signs Your 6-Year-Old May Have Dyslexia

Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences, affecting approximately 10-20 % of Canadians. The good news? Early identification makes an enormous difference. Here's what to look for in a 6-year-old.

📚 Reading, Writing & Learning

• Difficulty learning to read, write, and spell in a traditional classroom setting

• Confusion with the sequence of letters and symbols. For example, mixing up similar-looking letters, confusing "was" and "saw” and other similar-looking words, and reversing numbers like 18 and 81

  
  

🗣️ Language & Communication

• Delayed spoken language (was slow to talk or still struggles to express themselves verbally)

• Difficulty following both oral and written instructions

  
  

🎯 Attention & Focus

• Difficulty staying on task

• Easily distracted

• Increased or reduced energy levels that seem out of sync with the situation

• NOTE: Many people with ADHD also have dyslexia and other learning disabilities (people with ADHD are 6 times more likely to have a learning disorder). 

  
  

🧠 Memory & Processing

• Difficulty retaining information and needs to be told or shown things far more times than other children their age

  
  

💛 Emotional & Behavioral Signs

• High level of frustration, especially around reading and writing tasks

• More than average anxiety around tests and being evaluated

  
  

What to Do About It

🩺 Rule Out Physical Causes

Start by visiting your child's pediatrician and an eye doctor (ophthalmologist). Sometimes what looks like dyslexia can have a physical explanation. It may be a vision problem, hearing difficulty, or other medical factor. Ruling these out first ensures your child gets the right support for the right reason.

🔍 Get a Proper Evaluation

Seek a psychological evaluation from a qualified professional who recognizes and accepts dyslexia as a real, diagnosable condition. This assessment will give you a clear picture of how your child is processing language and where targeted support is needed.

There is often a lengthy process involved in getting a psychoeducational assessment through public school boards in Ontario, and not every child qualifies for an assessment. Private assessments are available throughout the province and cost approximately $2000-$5000 dollars. 

📖 Start the Right Kind of Instruction

If dyslexia is confirmed, your child needs more than extra homework or additional reading time. They need a specialized program built around four key principles:

• Multisensory learning: instruction that engages sight, sound, and movement/touch all at the same time, so the brain builds stronger connections to language

  
  

• High structure: consistency and clear organization in every lesson, every day

  
  

• Phonics-based reading and spelling: a program that teaches the complete sound system of the language, so your child understands how letters and sounds work together from the ground up

  
  

• Repetition and practice: a great deal of review and drill, both one-on-one and in small group settings, so new skills are truly locked in

This approach is known as structured literacy, and it is the gold standard for supporting children with dyslexia.

The most important thing a parent can do is act early. Dyslexia does not go away on its own, but with the right instruction, children with dyslexia gain the skills they need and go on to thrive.