Recognizing the Signs of Dyslexia
Signs of dyslexia can start showing up early yet are often not concerning until your child starts school. Most children are ready to learn reading by kindergarten or first grade; however, children with dyslexia frequently can’t grasp letters and sounds as easily as their peers.
Differences in severity can mean that some with dyslexia move forward even as complications mount. Whether it’s your child falling behind, or an adult who has run out of ways to hide problems with writing, we’re specialists with answers. It’s never too early – or too late. Even in high school, college or adulthood, people can gain lost ground.
This checklist is a tool to determine if you or your child have the typical signs of dyslexia.
Co-Occurring Learning Challenges
Individuals with dyslexia may have other related disorders. However, you can have dyslexia without other associated disorders. Some of the co-existing disorders are described below.
What To Do Next?
Knowing exactly why your child struggles with reading, writing, and spelling is essential to understanding the proper tools to create a successful learning environment for their entire educational career.
Dyslexia Assessment
When reading is a struggle, answers matter. Our assessments look at the whole picture— strengths, challenges, and the true cause of difficulty— so families know where to begin. This is the first step toward the proper support.
Learn more about our assessments
See more at IDA Dyslexia Handbook: What Every Family Should Know.
Who Can Help
Dyslexia is identifiable with 92 percent accuracy at age 5 1/2. However, an evaluation is necessary at any age if a child struggles with reading, spelling, and writing.
Assessment to identify dyslexia can be made by people extensively trained in dyslexia evaluation methods.
A medical diagnosis of dyslexia is performed by a qualified psychologist, neuropsychologist, speech-language pathologist, or other literacy professional.
Supporting Your Child’s Dyslexia Journey
How We Help on the Dyslexia Journey
If your child has been identified as at risk for dyslexia, the most crucial step is to begin support early. Dyslexia is not a measure of intelligence or effort; it simply means your child learns differently. With the right approach, students can thrive.
At Haley’s Hope, we partner with families to provide structured, evidence-based support. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Our team offers guidance, assessments, and targeted strategies designed to meet your child’s unique needs and set them on a path to success.
Learn more about our services and how we can support your child’s journey.
A Step-By-Step Guide
You are not starting from scratch—you’re starting with support.
Haley’s Hope guides families and educators toward meaningful, lasting solutions. Helping a child with dyslexia thrive in school can sometimes feel overwhelming, but you can make a massive difference with the right tools and mindset.
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Knowledge builds confidence. Attend workshops, read recommended books, and connect with other parents who have walked this road. The more you understand about dyslexia, the better equipped you’ll be to work alongside educators and make informed decisions about your child’s learning and emotional well-being.
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A three-ring binder can become one of your most powerful advocacy tools. Collect copies of your child’s assignments, tests, teacher notes, and assessments—organized by subject and date. You can also include your own observations. This helps you spot patterns over time and brings real evidence to any school meetings or evaluations.
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Keep a file of trusted professionals who can support your child’s needs. This might include:
Tutors trained in structured literacy
Pediatricians familiar with learning differences
Mental health professionals who support learning-related stress
School administrators and teachers
Educational advocates who can attend school meetings with you
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Some days just won’t go smoothly — and that’s okay. Help your child recognize when things feel off, and offer reassurance that these moments are temporary. Together, brainstorm ways to reset or cope, and reinforce that setbacks don’t define them.
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Your child may be working hard to decode basic words, but that doesn’t mean they should miss out on rich language. Read aloud to your child often, listen to audiobooks, and discuss what you read together. This builds vocabulary, background knowledge, and a love for stories— skills essential for future success.
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Every child has something they love or excel at. Whether it’s art, athletics, science, or animals, help them develop and share that passion. This builds confidence and gives them a chance to shine among peers.
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Honest conversations build trust. Use clear, simple language to explain dyslexia in a way your child can understand. When children know what’s going on and why certain things are hard, it can reduce shame and help them develop a strong self-identity.
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Living with a learning difference can be stressful. Help your child keep perspective by filling life with humor, joy, and small victories. Laughter goes a long way in building resilience— for them and for you.
Dyslexia in ND Schools
Educator’s Guide to North Dakota Dyslexia Law
In 2023, North Dakota passed a law with key requirements for schools to help children with reading difficulties. The law is North Dakota Century Code NDCC 15.1-32-26, in which dyslexia is defined as a neurological (brain) difference that causes difficulties reading words, spelling, and decoding.
Educators’ Guide to North Dakota Dyslexia Law
Find out about:
1) What must North Dakota School’s do about dyslexia?
2) Further Diagnosis
3) Intervention pathways
4) Intervenient Services
5) Ongoing evaluations through assessment.
6) Professional Development
Dyslexia in Minnesota Schools
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) created this guidance document to support school districts and charter schools in conducting universal literacy and dyslexia screening in grades K-3.
READ Act Requirements for K-3 Universal Literacy and Dyslexia Screening
The READ Act requires mandatory screening of every child in kindergarten, first, second, and third grade, including multilingual learners and students receiving special education services, using a screening tool approved by the Department of Education. Screening must be completed three times per year: Fall (within the first six weeks of the school year), Winter (by February 15th each year), and Spring (within the last six weeks of the school year), to measure foundational reading skills, including phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, fluency, oral language, and for characteristics of dyslexia. Screening for characteristics of dyslexia may be integrated within universal screening.
Further guidance specific to oral language screening and screening multilingual and low-incidence populations with IEPs is forthcoming.
From the Minnesota department of Education.
Navigating the school system what a child is struggling with reading or dyslexia.
Dyslexia in South Dakota Schools
South Dakota mandates early dyslexia screening, structured interventions, and evidence-based literacy training for teachers. Educators must complete professional development focused on dyslexia identification and evidence-based instruction.