Signs of Dyslexia in High School Students
Potential indicators of dyslexia in high school students
A student with dyslexia may face specific challenges in certain areas but can also demonstrate strengths in other areas, such as oral communication, creativity, the arts, or sports. Dyslexia does not reflect a lack of intelligence or ability, and many students with dyslexia are highly capable in other aspects of their lives.
If a combination of the following signs is observed, it may suggest the need for further investigation and support.
Written work
Written work is often below expectations compared to verbal ability
Poor handwriting, including badly formed letters, or neat handwriting but written very slowly
Produces messy or poorly organised work, with many corrections or crossed-out spellings
Spells the same word differently within one piece of work
Difficulty with punctuation and grammar
Confuses upper and lower case letters
Struggles to maintain focus in writing, often ‘losing the thread’ of ideas
Writes very little, but gets straight to the point
Difficulty taking notes in lessons
Challenges with organising homework and meeting deadlines
Appears to understand material but struggles to express it on paper
Reading
Hesitant and labored reading, especially when reading aloud
Frequently omits, repeats, or adds extra words when reading
Reads at a reasonable pace but has low reading comprehension
Struggles to recognise familiar words
Often loses their place while reading or repeats the same line
Needs to use a finger or marker to help stay on track
Difficulty identifying the main idea or key points in a passage
Numeracy
Struggles with sequencing or understanding number patterns
Confuses mathematical symbols (e.g., using ‘x’ for ‘+’)
May perform well in conceptual math but struggles with basic calculations without a calculator
Misreads word problems or questions involving text
Finds mental arithmetic difficult, especially under time pressure
Has trouble memorising formulas
Other areas
Struggles with learning foreign languages
Difficulty retrieving the correct word for an object or concept
Challenges processing information quickly
Often misunderstands complex or multi-step questions
Finds it hard to retain and follow instructions
Struggles to remember lists of tasks or directions
Behavioural Signs
Disorganisation or forgetfulness, such as misplacing equipment, forgetting lessons, or neglecting homework
Easily distracted, with difficulty staying focused on tasks for extended periods
Often in the wrong place at the wrong time, or struggling to stay on track
Frequently tired due to the high levels of concentration and effort required for learning
Behaviour
Uses work avoidance tactics, such as sharpening pencils and looking for books
Seems ‘dreamy’, does not seem to listen
Easily distracted
Is the class clown or is disruptive or withdrawn
Is excessively tired due to amount of concentration and effort required
Next steps
If you notice a combination of these signs in your child, it may be helpful to seek further support and consider a diagnostic assessment to better understand their learning needs.
If you have concerns that your child may have dyslexia, it’s important to discuss these with their teacher or the school’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo).
It is recommended that appropriate support be put in place as soon as a potential need is identified. While a Diagnostic Assessment is not required to begin providing SEN Support, dyslexia can only be formally diagnosed through such an assessment.
By engaging with the school and exploring the next steps together, you can help ensure that your child receives the support they need to succeed.
Testimonials
Read what some of my clients have said about my services
I would thoroughly recommend Olivia if you require a comprehensive dyslexia assessment. My son was treated with kindness and professionalism during his recent assessment.
Becky, mother of Luke aged 8 years (August 2024)
We found the whole experience of working with Olivia easy, professional, detailed and yet also warm and empathetic.
Caroline, mother of Jack aged 10 y 6 months (July 2024)
