Early identification starts with awareness, empathy, and the right tools.
One in five students shows signs of dyslexia, yet many remain unidentified until third grade or later—long after reading difficulties have taken root (Decoding Dyslexia).
When a child struggles to read, the impact extends far beyond academics. Dyslexia affects confidence, emotional well-being, and family life. Yet the early warning signs are often misunderstood or missed entirely.
That’s why we created Dyslexia Decoded: Distinguishing Signs and Symptoms—a free educator-focused resource designed to help teachers and administrators recognize the patterns that often go unseen.
This downloadable guide bridges the gap between what educators observe in the classroom and what families experience at home—empowering schools to respond earlier, with compassion and confidence.
Who Should Read This Guide?
- K–12 general education teachers and reading specialists
- Principals, instructional coaches, and MTSS leaders
- Families and caregivers collaborating with schools on early reading support
Whether you’re screening for reading risk, planning interventions, or coaching teachers on evidence-based instruction, this resource provides a clear, actionable framework.
Why Early Recognition Matters
Research shows that early, structured literacy interventions significantly reduce the number of children who remain poor readers, with estimates suggesting that fewer than 6% of children enrolled in high-quality early interventions still exhibit inadequate word-reading outcomes by the end of second grade. (Torgesen, 2000)
Early signs often appear as subtle patterns—such as avoidance, inattention, or behavioral changes—rather than obvious reading errors. Recognizing both academic and emotional cues can prevent years of frustration for students and families.
Connecting the Dots Between School and Home
Educators and caregivers often see different sides of the same struggle.
| At School | At Home |
| Avoids reading aloud | Meltdowns over homework |
| Struggles with spelling or written expression | Noticeable gap between spoken language and written work |
| Low test performance in language arts | Resists writing or avoids reading independently |
| Appears disengaged during literacy lessons | Expresses feeling “dumb” or “behind” |
Understanding how these patterns connect helps teachers start empathetic, informed conversations with families—turning observations into opportunities for early support.
When we understand how dyslexia presents across home and school contexts, we can respond — rather than react — with evidence-based support. (Tim Odegard, Middle Tennessee State University).
Building Understanding and Action in Schools
Dyslexia Decoded provides educators with practical insights to:
- Recognize early patterns of reading difficulty
- Start family conversations with understanding and shared language
- Integrate evidence-based accommodations, such as human-narrated audiobooks, to support equitable access to grade-level texts
How Early Identification Aligns with MTSS and School Improvement Goals
Early recognition of dyslexia doesn’t just support students—it strengthens your Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework.
Screening, data-informed intervention, and evidence-based Tier 1 instruction are foundational MTSS practices that ensure no child “falls through the cracks.” When educators can identify risk early, dig deeper with diagnostics, and apply structured literacy methods, they improve outcomes across all tiers.
This approach aligns with national and state dyslexia laws that call for proactive screening and evidence-based instruction—not just remediation.
Keep Learning
Dyslexia awareness is not a destination, but a continuous journey. It requires an ongoing commitment to parity, access, and opportunity.
Educators can continue learning through Learning Ally’s professional development and events, featuring experts who share actionable insights for identifying and supporting struggling readers.
▶️ Explore upcoming professional learning opportunities.
Take the Next Step
Get ahead of your child’s reading struggles.
📥 Download Dyslexia Decoded: Distinguishing Signs and Symptoms to equip teachers and families with the insights they need to:
- Recognize early indicators of dyslexia
- Foster stronger school-home collaboration
- Empower every student to become a confident, successful reader
Together, we can make early identification the rule—not the exception.