Warning signs

In the pre-school years (ages 3 to 5)

At this stage dyslexia cannot yet be diagnosed with certainty, but there are early signs worth noticing:

• Delayed language development or a late start in talking
• Difficulty putting sentences together logically and in the right order
• Difficulty learning nursery rhymes and songs
• Difficulty grasping that words are made up of separate sounds
• Difficulty learning and recalling the names of letters
• Persistent confusion with left and right, sequences and days of the week
• Difficulty pronouncing long or new words (for example: "spaghetti")
• Slower than peers to learn the letters of their own name
• Little interest in stories read aloud, or difficulty following the narrative

In primary school (ages 6 to 10)

It is at this stage that dyslexia becomes more visible, when reading and writing are required every day:

• Difficulty learning to read, even with effort and support at home
• Swapping or reversing similar letters (b/d, p/q, m/n)
• Slow reading, syllable by syllable or sounding out, too slow for their age
• Difficulty reading made-up words — non-words such as "modigo", "catapo" or "manfasa"
• Difficulty spelling simple words or applying spelling rules
• Tiring quickly during homework and growing frustration with school
• Strong spoken language, but written work clearly below what's expected
• Understands stories well when they are read aloud, but stumbles when reading alone
• Avoiding reading aloud or refusing to take part in reading activities

In older children and teenagers

As they grow, coping strategies can mask dyslexia — but the effort remains far greater than for their peers:

• Slow reading that takes up a great deal of study time
• Frequent spelling errors, even in familiar words
• Difficulty organising thoughts in writing (essays, compositions)
• Grades that don't reflect the real effort or the intelligence shown when speaking
• Low self-esteem linked to school performance
• Avoiding situations that involve reading or writing in public

If your child relates to several of these points, don't wait any longer. A specialist assessment is the most reliable way to understand what's happening — and what to do about it.

Signs that can appear at any school age

Some signs aren't only about reading and can surface throughout the school years. On their own they prove nothing — but together they help complete the picture:

• Added difficulty learning foreign languages
• Difficulty recalling verbal information, such as instructions or messages (short-term verbal memory)
• Difficulties with personal organisation — materials, timetables, tasks
• Learning «peaks»: good days and bad days, for no obvious reason
• School results below the child's real ability, so clear in conversation

These signs vary from child to child and follow no fixed order. What matters is the overall pattern, how persistent it is, and the contrast with what the child manages so well in other areas.

When should you seek an assessment?

The simple answer: sooner is always better. If the difficulties have persisted for at least 6 months, despite extra support at home or at school, it's time to book an assessment.

An assessment does not mean «something is seriously wrong». It is a way of understanding how your child processes information — and of giving them the right tools.

Don't wait for the child to «mature» or «grow out of it». Early intervention is what transforms the journey most.