Dyslexia Symptoms Checklist
What to Look For, What It Might Mean, and What to Do Next
When a student struggles to read or spell, it’s easy to feel uncertain. Is it a developmental delay? A temporary phase? Or something deeper, like dyslexia?
To help you get clarity, we created a free Dyslexia Symptoms Checklist. It’s designed for both educators and families, and highlights specific signs to look for in a child’s reading, writing, speech, and classroom behavior.
What’s on the Checklist and Why It Matters
The checklist includes common traits and behaviors grouped by:
Preschool & early learning signs (like trouble with rhyming, letter naming, or nursery rhymes)
Early reading red flags (such as difficulty sounding out CVC words or guessing at words when reading)
Speech/language patterns (like mispronunciations or slow word retrieval)
Written language observations (including spelling, syntax, and writing avoidance)
Behavioral clues (like hiding during reading time or appearing ‘checked out’ in class)
These signs matter because they reflect how the brain is processing (or struggling to process) language. And when we start to see multiple indicators from different categories, it’s worth digging deeper.
How to Use the Checklist
This isn’t a diagnostic tool, but it is a tool to help you:
Recognize potential patterns
Begin documenting your observations
Communicate concerns clearly (with teachers, parents, or specialists)
Decide whether it’s time to pursue a formal evaluation
Tip: Print a copy and keep it on hand during read-alouds, small group lessons, or writing time. Jot down quick notes, what do you see consistently, not just once?
What If I Notice a Lot of These Signs?
If a student checks multiple boxes, especially across categories, it may be time to:
Start a conversation with your school team, interventionist, or evaluator
Request screening or formal assessment for dyslexia or a related learning difference
Explore structured literacy intervention (especially one that is explicit, systematic, and multisensory)
Get the Free Dyslexia Symptoms Checklist
Want to take a closer look at what dyslexia might look like in real life?
👉 Download the Checklist
You’ll be able to print it, reference it during lessons or homework time, and begin tracking meaningful patterns.
Ready to Go Deeper?
This October inside the 5CCL Learning Lab, we’re hosting a special Spotlight training on:
“Understanding and Supporting Students with Dyslexia”
We’ll unpack:
What the signs of dyslexia look like at different ages
How to use screeners and observations to support early identification
Instructional strategies that actually work
It’s part of our ongoing professional development for educators, but families are welcome too!
