Do I Have Dyslexia? 10 Signs That It May Be Time for a Dyslexia Assessment

Dyslexia is often associated with difficulties with reading and spelling, but it can affect people in many different ways. Some children and adults develop effective coping strategies, meaning dyslexia may go unrecognised for years.

So, what are some of the signs of dyslexia and when might a dyslexia assessment be helpful?

10 signs that could indicate dyslexia

You or your child or a student may:

• Read more slowly than expected, even when understanding of the subject is good.

• Need to reread information several times for it to sink in.

• Find spelling difficult or inconsistent, sometimes spelling the same word differently within one piece of writing.

• Struggle to get ideas onto paper, despite being able to explain them clearly when speaking.

• Find reading aloud uncomfortable or challenging, particularly with unfamiliar words.

• Have difficulty remembering sequences or instructions, especially when several pieces of information need to be held in mind at once.

• Take longer to complete written tasks, assignments or examinations than might be expected.

• Find organisation and time management challenging, including keeping track of deadlines, belongings or multiple tasks.

• Feel mentally tired after prolonged reading or writing, because literacy-based tasks require considerable concentration and effort.

• Show a noticeable difference between abilities – for example, having strong ideas, reasoning or verbal skills while finding aspects of reading, spelling or written work disproportionately difficult.

  
  

Does having these signs mean I have dyslexia?

Not necessarily. There is no single sign or test that, on its own, confirms dyslexia. People can experience difficulties with reading, writing, memory or organisation for many different reasons.

A full diagnostic dyslexia assessment looks at the wider picture. It considers relevant background information alongside an individual's literacy skills, cognitive and processing profile, and observations made during the assessment. Importantly, it also identifies strengths as well as areas of difficulty.

Why consider a dyslexia assessment?

For many people, understanding why they find certain things difficult can be incredibly valuable. An assessment can provide greater clarity about an individual's learning profile and help identify appropriate strategies and support for education, university, the workplace or everyday life.

At Dyslexia Insight, we believe insight is the foundation of change.

If these experiences sound familiar, a diagnostic dyslexia assessment can provide greater clarity and identify the support that may help.