Free parent screener

Is it dyslexia? Start with what you notice at home.

Answer a few simple questions about your child's reading, spelling and speech. You'll see your results straight away, with clear next steps.

  • About 5 minutes
  • 22–24 questions
  • No signup
What grade is your child in?

This screener is an educational tool, not a medical or psychological diagnosis. It can't diagnose dyslexia or any learning difference. Your results show whether a full evaluation may be worth considering. Only a qualified professional can diagnose a learning difference.

What the screener looks at

Dyslexia shows up differently at different ages, so the questions change with your child's grade. Every version covers the same six areas.

Family & early development

Dyslexia often runs in families, and early speech milestones can offer clues.

Sounds in words

Rhyming, clapping syllables and hearing single sounds are the foundations of reading.

Letters & reading

How your child learns letters, sounds out words and remembers the words they have seen.

Spelling & writing

Spelling patterns and how easily your child gets their ideas down on paper.

Speaking & word finding

Finding the right word, saying longer words and pronouncing sounds clearly.

Effort & progress

Whether your child works harder than others for less progress, and how that feels to them.

Common signs of dyslexia by age

Dyslexia is a difference in how the brain processes the sounds in language. It isn't about intelligence or effort, and it often runs in families. These are some of the signs parents notice first.

Preschool & Kindergarten

  • Trouble learning nursery rhymes or noticing words that rhyme
  • Difficulty learning letter names and the sounds letters make
  • Mixing up sounds in longer words, like "aminal" for animal
  • Struggling to clap out syllables or hear the first sound in a word
  • A parent or sibling who had trouble learning to read

Grades 1–3

  • Guessing at words from the first letter or the pictures
  • Reading that is slow and effortful compared with classmates
  • Recognising a word on one page but not on the next
  • Spelling words the way they sound, like "sed" for said
  • Understanding stories read aloud much better than reading them alone

Grades 4–8

  • Tiring quickly when reading or avoiding reading aloud
  • Spelling that is much weaker than other schoolwork
  • Doing well in discussion but far worse on written work
  • Trouble reading new subject words in science or history
  • Saying things like "I'm stupid" about reading or schoolwork

Seeing one or two of these signs is common and doesn't mean a child has dyslexia. A pattern of several signs that lasts over time is worth a closer look.

FAQs

Common questions parents ask after screening

Don't panic, and don't wait. Share your results with your child's teacher and ask what they see in class. If their concerns match yours, ask the school for an evaluation or arrange a private one. Starting targeted reading support early makes a real difference, even before a formal diagnosis. Book a free consultation

No. You know your child best, and a short screener can miss things, especially if your child has learned to work around their difficulties. Keep notes on what you see, talk to the teacher, and take the screener again in a few months or speak with a specialist.

Yes. In the U.S., the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires public schools to find and evaluate children who may have a disability, at no cost to you. You can request an evaluation yourself. Put your request in writing and keep a copy. The school must either ask for your consent to evaluate or explain in writing why it won't. Once you give consent, federal law allows 60 days to complete the evaluation, though some states set a different deadline. Schools usually use the term "specific learning disability" rather than "dyslexia", even though federal law lists dyslexia as one. Many families also choose a private evaluation for a more detailed picture or a faster result. How our advocates can help

A specialist works one-on-one with your child to assess how they hear and use the sounds in words, read words, read fluently, spell, and use and understand spoken language. At LD Expert, a speech-language pathologist carries out the testing online over several sessions, about 6 to 8 hours in total. You then get a written report, reviewed with you, that explains your child's strengths, where they're struggling and what will help. About our diagnostic evaluations

Dyslexia isn't a vision problem, and reversing letters like b and d is common in young children whether or not they have dyslexia. It's still sensible to rule out vision and hearing problems. ADHD and dyslexia often occur together, so a good evaluation looks at attention and language as well as reading.

Dyslexia is lifelong, but that doesn't mean your child won't learn to read well. With structured, explicit reading instruction, such as Orton-Gillingham-based programs like the Wilson Reading System, most children make strong progress. The earlier support starts, the easier it is. About the Wilson Reading System

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