Reading is a fundamental skill that plays a vital role in your child’s academic success and lifelong learning. Early literacy development is an exciting and precious time for your child!
However, some children struggle with reading—and it’s important to recognize the signs of struggle early on. If ignored, reading difficulties or reading disorders can significantly challenge students in their academic lives and beyond.
In this article, we’ll discuss when you should consider getting a reading assessment for your child. We’ll also explore some of the signs to look out for so that you can find supportive strategies to help your child.
Early Signs of Reading Struggles
Reading difficulties can show up in several different ways. These signs can range from silent and subtle to drastically obvious. In the same way that every child develops at their own pace, every child might show signs of reading struggles differently.
Generally though, there are overlapping signs that often indicate a child could benefit from a reading evaluation and extra support. These signs can include:
- Noticeably behind in letter recognition: If your preschooler or kindergartener has trouble identifying alphabetical letters after repeated instruction and practice, it could be an early sign of reading difficulties.
- Challenges with phonological awareness: Children who struggle with letter sounds, rhyming words, or manipulating various sounds of language may need extra support.
- Trouble corresponding letters and sounds: If your child cannot associate letter shapes with their corresponding sounds even though they’ve been explicitly taught, it may indicate a potential reading issue.
- Resistance to literacy activities: Some children might actively avoid or refuse to engage in reading-related activities, which could be a sign of underlying struggles.
- Lack of comprehension: If your child has trouble remembering details about a story they just read or heard, it might indicate comprehension issues.
- Difficulty with decoding: Children who struggle to break down words into their individual sounds (decoding or “sounding out” words) might need additional help.
- Slow and laborious reading: If your child reads much slower than their peers or finds the process unusually exhausting, it could be a red flag.
When to Consider a Diagnostic Reading Assessment
If your child is in school, they’ll likely start taking reading assessments at least once a year starting in kindergarten. These are standard assessments that can identify students who might need additional support as they learn to read.
There are also more in-depth diagnostic reading assessments—such as the DIBELS— that test children on exactly what skills they are struggling with. This is typically done by a reading specialist or teacher.
Every child has their strengths and weaknesses. However, if your little one experiences several or all of the following, getting them assessed is a good idea.
1. Ongoing Struggles With Basic Reading Skills
If your child constantly struggles with fundamental reading skills such as letter recognition, phonemic awareness, or decoding words, it might be time for an in-depth reading assessment. These challenges can continue even as your child progresses through grade levels, negatively impacting their academic performance.
2. Gap Between Reading Ability and Developmental Stage
While it’s normal for children to develop literacy skills at different rates, a noticeable gap between your child’s reading ability and expected developmental milestones could warrant an assessment. This is especially true if the gap widens over time, which is common among young students with learning disorders.
3. Frustration With Reading
If your child constantly gets anxious, frustrated, angry, or actively avoids reading-related tasks, it could point to underlying difficulties that require professional evaluation. This behavior can stem from feelings of inadequacy, shame, or fear of failure. Reading struggles can become not only academically limiting but also emotionally and socially challenging.
4. Lack of Reading Comprehension
Even if your child can decode words one at a time, they may struggle with understanding the meaning of what they’ve read. They might be spending so much cognitive effort on decoding that they don’t have the energy to remember what they’re reading. This could be a sign that they need a reading assessment or learning assessment.
5. Family History of Learning Disorders or Academic Challenges
If there’s a history of dyslexia or other learning disorders in your family, it’s wise to be proactive and consider an assessment—especially if you notice any signs of struggle. Some disorders that impact learning, such as dyslexia and ADHD, are largely genetic.
6. Teacher Recommendations
Your child’s teacher spends a lot of time observing their reading progress in class every day. If the teacher comes to you with concerns or recommends an assessment, it’s important to take their suggestion seriously.
How to Get a Reading Assessment for Your Child
If you decide that a reading assessment is necessary, here’s what the typical process involves.
- Consult with your child’s teacher. Discuss your concerns and ask about the school’s assessment process. They might recommend a specialist or an assessment outside the school.
- Contact your school’s reading specialist or psychologist. They can provide information about available assessments and the next steps.
- Consider private evaluations. If school resources are limited, you may want to explore private reading assessments conducted by educational psychologists or reading specialists in your area.
- Prepare your child for the experience. Explain what the assessment is for and what your child can expect. Communicate in a positive, non-threatening way to alleviate any anxiety and encourage them to ask questions if they feel hesitant toward the assessment.
Remember, a reading assessment is not about labeling your child as inferior but about understanding their unique learning needs and capabilities. With the right assessment, you can gain insight into your child’s learning difficulties and then find direction toward getting them the best support possible.
Proactive Reading Education for Early Readers
Whether your child is entering preschool or struggling to keep up in early elementary, pay attention to any signs of reading difficulties they might have. Seek help when necessary and encourage your child to receive support. They deserve the resources they need to become a confident, proficient reader.
If your child is young and still learning, it could be useful to get them started on proven reading instruction to avoid struggles related to ineffective practices. The Reading.com app is a fun educational app based on the science of reading, developed specifically for early readers and their parents who want to master early literacy skills.
Start your child’s path to reading success today! Download the Reading.com app for a free trial and make sure to follow along as we share more tips for parents.