The signs of dyslexia will vary from person to person. For example, even though two people may have trouble with reading because they have dyslexia, the signs and symptoms could range from mild to severe. When a child or adult is evaluated for dyslexia, the professional doing the assessment will not only look for the signs that are associated with this condition but also rule out any other condition which may have similar symptoms. Some signs include:

● Difficulty recognizing the sounds that letters make
● Decreased ability to write information seen in a book or on the classroom board
● Any difficulty with spelling, writing, or reading
● Switching words or numbers around
● Inability to properly express themselves
● Difficulty with basic math skills such as addition and subtraction
● Poor motor skills
● Uncoordinated movements on the school playground or during sports
● Difficulty differentiating from left and right
● Problems understanding what is heard
● Difficulty recalling what is heard and other problems with listening

These are some of the signs that are associated with dyslexia. It is also possible for a child or adult to mispronounce words, leave off the ending of words, or not know how to respond to commands.

What are the behavioral signs?

Children may act out and be labeled "troublemakers" in class. This could all be because the child is trying to cope with their frustrations and to 'hide' the fact that they are not able to understand. Therefore, it is clear that dyslexia may affect the person's self-esteem and self-worth, leading to them feeling as if they are not smart. Some parents have said that they noticed their child having more tense interactions with their siblings. The person may be unmotivated to do anything or interact with other people.

What are the signs of dyslexia by age group?

There are specific signs that indicate that a child or adult may have dyslexia. Of course, a professional evaluation will confirm or rule out other conditions. Here are some symptoms to look for.

Signs in preschool and kindergarten children:

● Delay in speaking
● Inability to pronounce simple words
● Inability to repeat a song or nursery rhyme
● Difficulty learning how to write letters
● Difficulty learning the names of basic colors
● Persistent use of baby talk
● Mispronunciation of simple words even after being corrected
● Difficulty in reciting the alphabet
● Problems learning how to count
● Substituting written words
● Inability to sound out very simple words
● Problems recognizing the letters in their name
● Difficulty understanding that letters produce a sound

Symptoms in elementary school children:

● Delay in understanding what is spoken to them
● Poor reading skills – Reading at a level below their grade
● Delay in language skills and language processing
● Inability to know the right word to use
● Difficulty in distinguishing between different or similar words
● Difficulty understanding step by step events
● Difficulty in spelling words
● Avoiding spelling, reading, or writing
● Problems learning how to add, subtract, multiply or divide
● Inability to remember the sounds of letters and how to fit them together
● Pausing a lot when speaking
● Inability to find the right words
● Using vague words instead of saying the name of the object they are referring to
● Difficulty with time management
● Difficulty finishing tests
● Often saying that reading is hard
● Struggling to remember dates or numbers
● Looking for ways to not read out loud
● Trying to guess at new words without sounding them out

Dyslexia can be diagnosed anytime, and for some people, this occurs while in elementary school. However, it is possible for a person not to be diagnosed with dyslexia until they reach adulthood.

Signs in high school teenagers and adulthood:

● Reading at a very slow pace
● Problems with spelling words
● Inability to remember the correct way to pronounce words
● Difficulties with memory
● Delayed math skills
● Inability to comprehend expressions or understand some jokes
● Understanding more words than they can speak
● Difficulty finding the correct word
● Struggling to complete tasks
● Easily getting tired when reading
● Struggling with answering questions

Even though a teenager or adult might not have all of these signs, they may still be diagnosed with dyslexia. It has also been found that people who have dyslexia may have a parent or sibling who has dyslexia symptoms.