Is My Reader Struggling? Is It Normal? How Do I Know?

Every school year, I was approached by worried parents and caretakers with this question:

 "Will my student’s reading difficulties go away? Will I need a special phonics program?  What can I do?" 

Reading Intervention Isn’t Always The Answer

More often than not, around 90% of the time, these problems did resolve themselves naturally. However, for that remaining 10%, additional repetition and direct instruction were essential. And then, every year, there were always 1 or 2 readers who continued to struggle due to other needs, like dyslexia.

Research has shown time and time again that a reader with a learning difficulty will have a learning disadvantage if not exposed to “best strategies” at the right time, in the right way… Over time, different, less helpful habits begin to take hold.

I want to share with you a few early signs that your reader might be struggling with reading (outside of the norm).

Here are some early signs that Reading Intervention may be necessary:

• Difficulty reading or pronouncing words, or expressing emotions verbally.
• Some research suggests that children who start talking late or use fewer words may struggle with reading. However, from my own classroom experience, I've found this isn't always the case. For example, my daughter started talking long after her twin brother but is now an avid reader, surpassing her brother's reading level.
• Difficulty in summarizing or retelling a story due to a lack of comprehension.
• Difficulty sounding out words, resulting in robotic or slow reading.
• Lack of understanding of words, even when able to read them (poor reading comprehension).
• Difficulty in rhyming words, such as being unable to find a rhyme for "cat."
• Guessing or skipping words while reading.
• Inability to match letters with their sounds.
• Little to no improvement in reading skills over time.
• Struggling across subjects, particularly in understanding concepts or reading content in math and science.
• Strong aversion to reading, avoiding it whenever possible.

If you notice these signs in your child, what can you do?

These reading struggles iron themselves out around first or second grade. But, what if they don’t? Should you find a reading specialist?

Time for a conversation with a teacher or specialist!

Your specialist or teacher will be ready with a listening ear to learn about the student.  With a clear picture, they can set up an effective framework with goals and objectives.

1. They will express what they see.  They’ll want to know what you see, and other insights you can offer through the student’s learning years.  You might want to be ready with observations and data of your own, or data given to you from other specialists such as doctors or teachers.  Perhaps, this is a new journey you are just beginning…that is also very important to share.  Be gentle with yourself as a caregiver.  It’s okay to feel sad or angry…along with your worry. 
2. What is the reader’s history with learning?  What do past reports from other schools show? Has a teacher, doctor or specialist talked about dyslexia or a reading program such as Orton Gillingham?

No access to reading programs for struggling readers?  

Is there reading help near me?

Living as an expat for the past 20 years, I’ve come to know that families don’t always have access to reading specialist services.  In some countries, they are non-existent!  

You might live in a place where you can have those resources at your fingertips, but if you don’t (or you do and you just need some help finding them) a reading specialist can help.  Worldschooling, expats abroad, homeschooling families are grateful to have access to resources, as they aren’t easy to find or access…or there is an overwhelming online presence and you don’t know where to start (or do you even need too?).

If you don’t have a teacher or specialist available (homeschooling or world schooling or in a country without access), the best thing to do is find a teacher as a first line of action.
 

If you are not ready to seek help, try these 3 easy-to-implement strategies.  These will either pinpoint an issue to solve, or give you data to help strategize with a specialist.  No learning to read program will work unless the reading specialist has all the information.  Here’s a start:

Check Sound Knowledge: TAPPING

It’s possible the reader knows the alphabet.  But do they know the sounds?  To find out, give them simple words, such as cat or other words with one syllable.  Ask them what sounds they hear when they “hear” the word (not “see” the word)

Now, have them read a word you give them.  Ask them to say each sound they see.

Check comprehension: CHUNKING

Try this…read only one or two sentences and stop.  Ask your reader: “ who is here and what's going on?”.  Can they give you a simple but detailed answer in their own words?

If that’s too easy, make the chunk longer.  keep doing this until you’ve read the whole page.  Small chunks are easy to understand.  

How about when you read to them?  Do they understand with detail?  Read just a few sentences.  Not a whole page.

How about when they read aloud to you?  

How about In their head, silently?  I’ve taught kids who understand while reading silently…and can give detailed retells.

Check fluency:  RUNNING START

Have them start reading to you.  If they stop to sound out a word, go back a few words (or to the beginning of the sentence) and have them read it naturally and smoothly again before continuing forward.  Then, move on to the next sentence.  

If you have to stop too often because the words are too hard, then find an easier text.   You should be able to read between 90-94% of a page without mistakes.  

Before I say goodbye, I want to emphasize one key point: the ultimate goal is to foster a love for reading. I often get asked whether a struggling student should be reading books like Harry Potter, which are more advanced. 

My answer? YES! You can read to them, read with them, or even opt for the audio version. The purpose of delving into a book like Harry Potter is to relish the experience, share quality time with a loved one, and get lost in the storyline, eagerly anticipating what happens next!

However, Harry Potter or similar books shouldn't be used as practice material if a student is struggling. Doing so could lead them to dislike the story, not because they don't enjoy reading, but because the material is too challenging. It's important to provide reading material that matches their current skill level to maintain their interest and enthusiasm for reading.

Suspecting a reading issue can be a confusing and anxiety-filled journey (I’ve been there with my own reader too…). You find yourself sitting down for reading or homework sessions, only to be met with resistance, excuses, and avoidance. They’ll do anything BUT read!!  The term "dyslexia" might have crossed your mind, adding to the mix of emotions and questions swirling around. After over 15 years as a teacher, I can tell you with 100% certainty…you are not alone.  Many parents face similar reading uncertainties and concerns.

How would it feel just to have someone get to the bottom of it, once and for all?  Answers found, and a plan (that works) put into place?

Such a giant worry off your plate!

Solutions exist and give me a shout so we can explore and get to the bottom of what’s going on :)