Have you ever noticed your child writing “b” instead of “d”, or spelling “was” as “saw”?
Maybe they spell simple words like “school” as “skl”, or write “I lik to go to skl” even though they can say the sentence perfectly aloud.
Or perhaps when reading a short story, they can tell you what happened to their friend in the picture — but struggle to recognise the actual words printed on the page.
If any of these sound familiar, your child might be showing signs of dyslexia — a learning difference that affects how the brain processes written and spoken language. It’s not a sign of laziness or low intelligence. In fact, many children with dyslexia are bright, creative, and capable — they just learn differently.
What Exactly Is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a neurological difference, meaning the brain’s structure and processing patterns vary slightly from the typical. Specifically, it affects how the brain connects sounds (phonemes) to letters (graphemes), making reading, spelling, and sometimes writing more difficult.
It’s important to understand that dyslexia doesn’t affect intelligence or creativity. A child with dyslexia can be just as smart — or even more imaginative — as their peers. The difference lies in how their brain decodes and stores language patterns.
Common Misconceptions About Dyslexia
One of the biggest myths about dyslexia is that it’s about seeing letters backwards.
In reality, dyslexia is not a problem with eyesight. Children don’t “see” letters flipped; instead, they may confuse similar-looking letters like b and d, or reverse word order because their brain struggles to process symbols in sequence.
Another misconception is that dyslexic children “just need to try harder.”
But dyslexia has nothing to do with effort. In fact, many children with dyslexia work much harder than others just to keep up — they’re often highly motivated, but exhausted from the extra effort it takes to read or write.
How Common Is Dyslexia?
You might be surprised to know that about 1 in 10 people are estimated to have some form of dyslexia.
That means in every classroom, at least one or two children may quietly be struggling with reading or writing in ways that others don’t notice.
For many, the signs appear early — but because each child develops differently, it’s easy for dyslexia to go undetected until later primary school, or even into adulthood.
Early Signs of Dyslexia in Young Children
Parents often notice the earliest clues long before formal schooling begins. Some early red flags include:
Difficulty learning letters and their sounds
Trouble recognising familiar words (like their own name)
Struggling to rhyme or remember song lyrics
Mixing up similar-sounding words (e.g., tap, pat, cap)
Taking longer to remember new vocabulary
As children enter preschool or early primary years, you may also notice:
Spelling words the way they sound (frend for friend, becos for because)
Skipping small words or reversing letters in writing
Avoiding reading or writing activities altogether
How Dyslexia Affects Daily Life and Learning
In the classroom, children with dyslexia might appear inattentive or forgetful — but often, they’re simply overwhelmed by the decoding process.
Imagine trying to read a book where every single word feels like a puzzle — that’s what reading can feel like for a dyslexic learner.
This challenge can impact more than academics.
Children may begin to lose confidence, avoid schoolwork, or compare themselves to peers. Without understanding and support, frustration and self-doubt can grow — not because they can’t learn, but because the learning environment isn’t meeting their needs.
Dyslexia in Adults
Dyslexia doesn’t disappear with age. Many adults go undiagnosed, only discovering it when they face recurring challenges with writing emails, remembering written instructions, or reading documents at work.
But it’s important to note that adults with dyslexia often excel in areas that don’t rely heavily on written words — such as verbal communication, problem-solving, design, storytelling, and innovation.
Many well-known entrepreneurs, architects, and filmmakers have dyslexia, proving that this difference can be an advantage in creative and strategic thinking.
How Parents and Schools Can Help
While there’s no “cure” for dyslexia, early and consistent support makes a world of difference. With the right teaching approach, children with dyslexia can not only read and write confidently, but thrive academically.
Here are some evidence-based strategies:
Multi-sensory Learning
This method engages sight, sound, touch, and movement together — for example, tracing letters in sand while saying the sound aloud. It helps build stronger connections between letters and sounds in the brain.
Phonics-Based Literacy
Structured phonics programs break reading into small, manageable sound units, helping children decode unfamiliar words step by step.
Individualized Support
Each child’s dyslexia profile is different. Schools that track progress individually can adjust the pace and method to match the learner’s needs.
Encouragement and Emotional Support
Celebrate effort, not just results. Praise progress (“You remembered the ph sound today!”) helps rebuild self-esteem and motivation.
Why Early Intervention Matters
The earlier dyslexia is identified, the easier it is to build strong reading foundations.
When children receive literacy support in preschool or early primary years, their brain pathways adapt more efficiently.
Early intervention also helps prevent secondary challenges like anxiety, avoidance, or low self-confidence.
Children who feel understood and supported are far more likely to develop resilience and a positive attitude toward learning.
A Message for Parents
If you suspect your child may have dyslexia, the best first step is observation and conversation. Talk to your child’s teacher or a learning specialist.
Getting an assessment early helps you understand how your child learns — and how you can support them effectively.
Remember: dyslexia does not define your child’s intelligence, potential, or future.
Many children with dyslexia go on to become outstanding storytellers, designers, engineers, and leaders.
What they need most isn’t perfection — it’s patience, encouragement, and the right tools to learn their way.
If you’d like help, resources, or just a friendly chat, reach out to us at +6010-660-9549 or visit joyous.edu.my. You’re not alone — we’re here for you and your child, every step of the way.