Important to Know

This checklist is not a diagnosis.
Many children experience some difficulty when learning to read. However, if you notice:

• Multiple signs
• Ongoing challenges over time
• Increasing frustration or avoidance

​…it may be helpful to explore support further.

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Early Years (Ages 4–6)

Sound Awareness & Early Literacy
☐ Difficulty learning letter names and sounds
☐ Trouble recognising rhyming words
☐ Difficulty hearing or identifying sounds in words
☐ Confusion between similar-sounding words

Language & Memory
☐ Difficulty remembering simple sequences (e.g. days of the week)
☐ Delayed speech or language development
☐ Trouble following multi-step instructions

Behaviour & Engagement
☐ Avoids activities involving letters or sounds
☐ Becomes frustrated with early literacy tasks
☐ Prefers listening rather than trying to read

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Primary School (Ages 6–8)

Reading
☐ Struggles to sound out words
☐ Reads slowly or with effort
☐ Guesses words instead of reading them
☐ Difficulty remembering common sight words

Spelling
☐ Difficulty spelling simple words
☐ Spelling is inconsistent (same word spelled differently)

Learning Patterns
☐ Needs significantly more repetition than peers
☐ Difficulty connecting sounds to letters

Behaviour & Emotional Patterns
☐ Avoids reading tasks
☐ Becomes frustrated or overwhelmed
☐ Reduced confidence in reading

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Primary School (Ages 8–12)

Reading
☐ Ongoing difficulty with reading fluency
☐ Difficulty understanding what is read
☐ Avoids reading independently

Spelling & Writing
☐ Persistent spelling difficulties
☐ Difficulty writing longer or more complex words

Learning Impact
☐ Struggles to keep up with school reading demands
☐ Takes significantly longer to complete reading tasks

Behaviour & Emotional Patterns
​☐ Increased frustration or anxiety about reading
☐ Avoidance of reading tasks
☐ Negative self-talk about abilities

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What Do Your Answers Mean?

✅ If you ticked a few boxes

• Your child may still be developing early reading skills
• Continue to support and monitor progress

⚠️ If you ticked several boxes in one age group

• This may suggest reading difficulties that could benefit from support
• Early strategies can make a meaningful difference​

🔴 If you ticked many boxes across multiple sections

• This may indicate a pattern consistent with dyslexia
• A more detailed assessment may help provide clarity

Signs of Dyslexia

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What To Do Next (Step-by-Step)

1. Speak with Your Child’s Teacher

• Ask how your child is progressing in reading
• Understand what support is already in place

2. Support Reading at Home

• Keep reading sessions short and positive
• Focus on encouragement rather than pressure

3. Monitor Patterns Over Time

• Are the same challenges continuing?
• Is your child becoming more frustrated or avoidant?

4. Consider Professional Support
Support can begin even without a diagnosis and may include strategies to build reading skills and confidence.

5. Consider an Assessment
An assessment can:

• Identify strengths and challenges
• Clarify whether dyslexia may be present
• Provide recommendations for school and home

How to Get a Learning Assessment in WA

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How We Support Children with Dyslexia
​

• Speech Pathology (SP): reading, phonological awareness, literacy
• Occupational Therapy (OT): attention, visual tracking, school participation
• Psychology Assessments: cognitive and academic testing
• Counselling: confidence and emotional wellbeing
• Positive Behaviour Support (PBS): engagement and learning behaviours

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Not Sure What To Do Next?
​
If this checklist reflects what you’ve been noticing, support is available.
Contact us to discuss your concerns
Ask about Dyslexia Assessments or support
Access services across Perth, Mandurah, and WA
​Book a free 20-minute call with our team

Our team is here to help call us on 08 9586 3934 or send us an email here

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Have a question? or need more information

Our friendly team are happy to help call us on 08 9586 3934 or send us a message

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Phone: 08 9586 3934

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