Signs vary for individual children; however, the following challenges are common. Recognizing these early signs is crucial for timely and effective intervention.
Early Phonological & Phonemic Awareness Difficulties
- Struggles with rhyming
- Difficulty breaking apart compound words or separating syllables
- Trouble identifying beginning, middle, and ending sounds in words
Difficulty Decoding
Decoding is the ability to connect letters and letter patterns to their corresponding sounds in order to read words accurately.
- Slow, choppy reading
- Guessing at words instead of sounding them out
- Difficulty building reading fluency over time
Spelling Difficulties
- Trouble spelling even simple, familiar words
- Inconsistent spelling (e.g., writing “sed” for “said” despite repeated practice)
Avoidance of Reading
- Reluctance or refusal to read aloud
- Physical complaints (stomachaches, headaches) when reading is expected
- Zoning out, frustration, or shutting down during reading tasks
Social-Emotional Changes & Outbursts
- Increased frustration, emotional outbursts, or tearfulness during homework or schoolwork
- Avoidance behaviors that may look like defiance but stem from overwhelm
- Decreased confidence, negative self-talk, or anxiety related to school
What You Can Do Today
- Try the 1-minute read test: Let your child read aloud while you record them. Don’t help. Listen for patterns: Are they guessing? Skipping words? Repeating lines?
- Try the I do, we do, you do approach! This is where the parent reads the content first, then read together, then let the child read.
- Create a calm reading space: A cluttered environment ramps up stress. Make reading time consistent, short, and pressure-free.
- Reduce voiced correction: Focus on building confidence, not perfection. If you are redirecting, simply point to the word that needs to be read correctly.
- Swap the book for a game: Check out these simple games you can download to get your child excited about the process
Free Download!
“Before the Gap Widens: What Every Parent of a Struggling Reader Needs to Know”
You’re seeing the signs: the guessing, the frustration, the tears. And deep down, you know something’s not clicking.
This free class is for parents who suspect their child is struggling with reading — and don’t want to “wait and see” while the gap keeps growing.
We break down:
The 5 early warning signs of reading issues most schools downplay
Why traditional reading help often fails — and what actually works
How to spot red flags that your child might be at risk for dyslexia
What you can do right now to help — without overwhelming them or you
A proven path forward that brings clarity, confidence, and calm back into your home
Whether your child is in 1st grade or already falling behind in 3rd, this class will give you the insight (and action steps) you’ve been searching for.
Choosing the Right Practitioner
Finding a practitioner to work with your child can be difficult. You want to choose someone who has been properly trained in an approach for remediation to ensure your child’s success.
While we do not offer intervention directly, we can send parents a resource of recommended practitioners in the Charleston, SC area. If you fill out the form, we will be happy to send you our recommendations.
Testing & Evaluations
An evaluation is a process of gathering information to identify the factors contributing to a student’s difficulty with learning to read and spell. First, information is gathered from parents and teachers to understand the development and the educational opportunities that have been provided. Then, tests are given to identify strengths and weaknesses that lead to a diagnosis and a tentative road map for intervention. Conclusions and recommendations are developed and reported. Please fill out the form and we will send you a list of recommendations.
Join Our Community Tutor List
If you are a literacy tutor or intervention provider serving the Tri-County region and would like to be included on our community referral list, please complete the form below.
The Lowcountry Literacy Project does not employ tutors. We maintain a vetted list of independent providers to share with families seeking reading support and resources. Inclusion on this list does not imply employment or endorsement, but helps families connect with qualified professionals in our community.
We look forward to learning more about your work and how you support struggling readers.
Dyslexia 101
Dyslexia isn’t a vision problem or a motivation issue. Dyslexia is a learning disability that disrupts how the brain processes written language. Intelligence and dyslexia are
These kids are often creative, intelligent, and resourceful — but they need a specific type of instruction to thrive.