Could My Child Have Dyslexia? A Parent Checklist
Many parents sense that reading shouldn’t be this hard for their child — even when grades look okay or effort is high.
This checklist is designed to help parents reflect on patterns, not isolated moments.
You don’t need to check every box for dyslexia to be worth exploring.
Reading & Spelling
Your child may:
☐ Read slowly or very carefully
☐ Guess words instead of sounding them out
☐ Lose their place while reading
☐ Skip or add words when reading aloud
☐ Avoid reading when possible
☐ Complain that reading is tiring or gives them a headache
☐ Spell the same word differently in the same paragraph
☐ Struggle with sounding out unfamiliar words
Effort vs. Output
You may notice:
☐ Your child works very hard but progress is slow
☐ Homework takes much longer than expected
☐ Reading requires intense concentration
☐ Your child understands material better when it’s read aloud
☐ Grades don’t reflect the effort you see at home
Language & Comprehension
Your child may:
☐ Have strong verbal skills but weaker reading skills
☐ Understand stories when listening but struggle when reading independently
☐ Have difficulty summarizing what they read
☐ Miss details or misunderstand written instructions
☐ Struggle more as reading becomes longer or more abstract
School Patterns
You may hear teachers say:
☐ “They’re capable, but…”
☐ “They understand when we talk about it.”
☐ “They rush through reading.”
☐ “They need to slow down and be more careful.”
☐ “They’re inconsistent.”
Or you may notice:
☐ Reading difficulties became clearer in upper elementary or middle school
☐ Struggles increased as academic demands increased
Emotional & Behavioral Signs
Your child may:
☐ Avoid reading or homework
☐ Become frustrated or tearful during reading tasks
☐ Show anxiety around schoolwork
☐ Say things like “I’m bad at reading” or “I’m stupid”
☐ Have lower confidence despite strong abilities in other areas
Early Signs (often overlooked)
Looking back, you may remember:
☐ Difficulty learning letter sounds
☐ Trouble rhyming
☐ Delayed reading compared to peers
☐ Resistance to early reading activities
☐ Strong skills in hands-on or visual tasks
What This Checklist Does and Doesn’t Mean
✔ This checklist does not diagnose dyslexia
✔ It helps identify patterns worth understanding
✔ Dyslexia can look different in every child
✔ Smart, motivated children can absolutely have dyslexia
If several of these statements feel familiar, it may be helpful to look deeper.
How a Neuropsychological Evaluation Can Help
A neuropsychological evaluation can help parents understand:
Whether dyslexia or a related language-based learning difference is present
Why reading feels so effortful
How your child learns best
What supports and interventions are most appropriate
How to advocate effectively at school
For many families, this clarity replaces years of confusion and self-doubt.
If this checklist resonates, it doesn’t mean anything is “wrong” with your child.
It means their brain may process written language differently and when that difference is understood, kids often feel enormous relief.
Trust your instincts. Patterns matter.
