October 28, 2025
You’ve noticed something’s not quite right with your child’s learning. They’re bright, curious, and capable, but reading or writing just isn’t clicking. They’re not mixing up b’s and d’s, and they’re not writing letters backwards, so you start to wonder, could it still be dyslexia?
The answer is yes.
Because what most people think of as the classic signs are actually the least reliable indicators. The real signs of dyslexia are often more subtle and far more important.
Clearing up the biggest myths
Myth 1: Reversing letters means dyslexia Many young children reverse letters when they’re first learning to write. It’s completely normal up until about age seven or eight. So if your five-year-old writes a few letters backwards, that’s not dyslexia, that’s just part of learning.
Myth 2: Dyslexic children never see words moving or blurry The truth is, not every brain or every pair of eyes experiences reading the same way. Some dyslexic learners tell me the words blur, shimmer, slide, or even move across the page, and that experience is very real. For others, the page looks clear, but their eyes and brain tire quickly from the effort of keeping the words still and making sense of them. Either way, it’s exhausting work.
Myth 3: They just need to try harder If effort were the answer, most of these kids would already be fluent readers. Dyslexia isn’t about trying harder, it’s about how the brain processes written language. Once we understand that, we can support them in a way that fits how their brain works best.
What dyslexia really looks like
Ages 5 to 8
Trouble with rhyming. They struggle to hear that cat and hat rhyme or can’t think of a word that rhymes with dog.
Difficulty remembering sequences. Days of the week, months of the year, or counting to 20, one day they’ve got it, the next it’s gone.
Letter sounds won’t stick. They can see the letter M but can’t remember that it says “mmm,” even after lots of practice.
Word-finding struggles. They know what they want to say, but the word disappears. You can see them thinking hard, eyes looking up, lip chewing, hands near their mouth, or head in hands with a quiet “I forgot.” The word’s there, it just won’t come when they need it.
Family history. Dyslexia often runs in families. If you or your partner found reading, spelling, or writing tough, that’s a clue worth noting.
Ages 8 to 14
Reading feels exhausting. They can read, but it takes huge effort. Even short passages leave them mentally drained.
Avoiding reading at all costs. Suddenly they’re hungry, tired, or need the toilet, a clear sign of frustration or anxiety.
Spelling the same word differently each time. “Because” might become “becuz,” “becaus,” or “becose,” all in one paragraph.
Brilliant ideas, but hard to get them on paper. They can tell you a fantastic story, but the written version is short and full of spelling mistakes.
Extreme fatigue after school. They hold it together all day, working twice as hard to keep up, then crash when they get home.
Strong in hands-on or creative areas. They often shine in art, building, drama, or design, anywhere they can show what they know.
Signs often overlooked by adults
Reading without understanding. They can decode the words but can’t tell you what they just read.
Relying on pictures or guessing. They use the first letter or picture as a clue, but when the image disappears, so does the confidence.
Slow to process instructions. Following multi-step directions takes longer, not because they’re inattentive, but because their brain needs more time to translate sound into action.
Clever masking strategies. They become the helper, the entertainer, or the memoriser, doing whatever it takes to hide what’s hard.
Physical symptoms. Headaches during reading, sore eyes, or tummy aches before school. These are genuine stress responses, not excuses.
What this actually means
Dyslexia isn’t about intelligence, it’s about difference. Many of the most creative, big-picture thinkers I work with are dyslexic. When we understand how their brain processes written language, we can give them tools and strategies that make learning feel clear, calm, and achievable.
The earlier we recognise these real signs, the sooner we can put support in place that builds confidence and brings back the joy in learning.
Key takeaway: Real dyslexia signs include difficulty with rhyming, word-finding, inconsistent spelling, reading exhaustion, visual disorientation, and masking strategies, not just letter reversals. Early understanding and the right kind of support can completely change the learning journey.
If this sounds familiar, I can help
I offer one-to-one specialised programmes for dyslexia, ADHD, and dyscalculia, as well as online screening tools, full educational assessments, and follow-up coaching.
Book an Initial Meeting or grab my free guide Discover the Secrets to Stress Free Reading. You’ll get simple, practical tools to make learning calmer at home and a clear plan for what to do next.
Visit dyslexiaunpuzzled.co.nz to learn more.
About the Author
Written by Nikki Palamountain Specialist Dyslexia and Neurodiversity Consultant | Davis℠ Facilitator | Dyslexia Unpuzzled | Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Nikki helps children, teens, adults, and families understand how their brains learn best. Using the internationally recognised Davis℠ methods, she provides hands-on, strengths-based strategies that empower individuals to overcome learning barriers and build confidence for life.