One-on-One Dyslexia Support in Des Moines Metro & North Liberty
WHAT IS DYSLEXIA?
According to the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), dyslexia is explained as a learning disorder of written language, characterized by impairments in reading fluency (e.g., decoding and automatic word recognition in connected text), reading comprehension skills, written language, spelling, and foundational phonological awareness tasks. Dyslexia is an unexpected difficulty with reading and often seems disproportionate to strong critical thinking skills, creativity, inferencing, and problem-solving abilities.
What Can Dyslexia Look Like?
In early language development, a child may have difficulty with:
Rhyming
Pronouncing words with multiple syllables
Mixing up the names of familiar places or people
Difficulty making the connection between sounds and letters
Difficulty learning to write
An elementary student may have difficulty with:
Learning numbers and sight words
Accurately sounding out new words in print
Challenges with recalling and decoding common vowel teams (ee, ow, ai, ea)
Using only 1-2 letters to spell words with multiple sounds
An older elementary-age student may:
Not recognize prefixes and suffixes as whole sound units
Difficulty with retelling narratives and making inferences
Reading may be slow, labored, and include excessive pauses
Work may be messy or unorganized
Difficulty with copying words from the board
Easier to read words within a passage rather than an unfamiliar word in isolation
For more information on the characteristics of dyslexia, check out our free e-book to learn more!
Dyslexia Frequently Asked Questions
What are early signs of dyslexia in children?
At Enrichment, we want parents to know this: dyslexia doesn’t start when reading starts—it starts with language.
Early signs can appear in preschool years and often include:
- Delayed speech or limited vocabulary
- Difficulty recognizing rhymes (cat, bat, hat)
- Trouble learning letters or sounds
- Mispronouncing familiar words
- Difficulty remembering sequences (days, songs, routines)
These challenges are tied to phonological processing, or how the brain hears and organizes sounds. Research shows that oral language delays are often the earliest indicator of dyslexia.
The key takeaway: Early signs are subtle—but powerful when recognized early.
Sources
- Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity https://dyslexia.yale.edu/dyslexia/signs-of-dyslexia/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
What age can dyslexia be diagnosed?
Here’s what we want families to understand:
You don’t have to wait for a diagnosis to take action.
- Screening can happen before kindergarten to assess for foundational language skills that might be missing.
- Formal diagnosis usually occurs after reading instruction begins
- Most diagnoses happen around ages 7–9 but some don’t get a diagnosis until their teens.
Research shows that while screening can happen early, formal diagnosis requires reading-based assessment once instruction begins.
And many children are identified once reading demands increase in school.
At Enrichment, we focus on early identification—not waiting for academic struggles that often accompany dyslexia.
Sources
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7329249/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
How do I know if my child has dyslexia?
It can be normal for some 2-year-olds to talk less than others, but we do expect them to be using words and starting to combine them. By age 2, most children have around 50 words and are beginning to use two-word phrases like “more milk” or “mommy go.” If a child isn’t meeting these milestones, it’s a good idea to have their speech and language checked.
How do I know if my child has dyslexia?
Dyslexia is not about intelligence—it’s about how the brain processes language.
Signs to look for:
- Difficulty sounding out words
- Poor spelling
- Slow or inaccurate reading
- Avoiding reading tasks
- Strong verbal skills but weak reading
A formal answer requires:
- Comprehensive testing looking at the areas of Reading decoding accuracy, rate and fluency,, phonological awareness, spelling, and reading comprehension as well as foundational language skills.
- Input from parents, teachers, and specialists
https://improvingliteracy.org/resource/defining-dyslexia/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557668/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
What does dyslexia testing involve?
A dyslexia evaluation is comprehensive—not just one test.
It typically includes:
- Reading accuracy and fluency
- Spelling and writing
- Phonological awareness
- Memory and processing
- Reading comprehension
- Parent and teacher input
Research shows that diagnosis involves standardized testing plus developmental and educational history.
“Understanding your child’s learning profile is important—not labeling them.”
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2967798/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyslexia?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Can dyslexia be treated or improved?
Dyslexia is a lifelong brain-based difference, but outcomes can be incredible with support.
Effective treatment includes:
- Structured literacy (phonics-based instruction)
- Multisensory learning
- Repetition and explicit teaching
“With the right support, kids with dyslexia can thrive.”
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7560958/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
What is the difference between dyslexia and reading delay?
At Enrichment, this is one of the most important distinctions we help families understand:
👉 Not all struggling readers have dyslexia—but all children with dyslexia struggle to read.
- Reading Delay
- Often due to limited exposure, gaps in instruction, or developmental timing
- Typically improves with consistent, quality teaching
- Dyslexia
- Brain-based difference in processing language
- Requires explicit, structured, and systematic instruction
- Does not resolve with “more practice” alone
Research shows dyslexia involves specific phonological processing deficits, not just slower development.
If progress isn’t happening with typical instruction, it’s time to dig deeper.
What are the most common symptoms of dyslexia?
Dyslexia can look different in every child, but there are consistent patterns:
- Difficulty decoding (sounding out words)
- Poor spelling (even with practice)
- Slow, effortful reading
- Trouble remembering sight words
- Avoidance of reading
- Strong verbal skills, but weaker reading
Research highlights dyslexia as a difficulty with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and spelling. (dyslexia.yale.edu)
“It’s not a motivation problem—it’s a processing difference.”
How does dyslexia affect spelling?
Spelling is not just memorization—it’s mapping sounds to letters.
Children with dyslexia struggle with:
- Breaking words into sounds (phonemes)
- Matching sounds to letters
- Remembering spelling patterns
This leads to:
- Inconsistent spelling
- Phonetic spelling errors
- Difficulty generalizing rules
Research shows dyslexia affects phonological processing, which directly impacts both reading and spelling. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
“Spelling improves when we teach the why behind words—not just the word itself.”
Can children with dyslexia learn to read normally?
This is one of the most important messages we share with families:
👉 Dyslexia does not limit your child’s potential.
With:
- Structured literacy
- Early intervention
- Consistent support
Children with dyslexia can:
- Read fluently
- Comprehend complex texts
- Succeed academically
Research shows that explicit, systematic instruction leads to significant reading improvement. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
“Different path—same destination.”
How long does dyslexia therapy take?
There’s no quick fix—but there is real progress.
Factors that impact timeline:
- Severity of dyslexia
- Age when intervention begins
- Frequency of therapy
- Consistency at home
Research shows intensive, ongoing intervention is most effective. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
At Enrichment:
“We focus on progress, not perfection.”
What is phonological awareness and why is it important?
Phonological awareness includes:
- Rhyming
- Breaking words into sounds (i.e. If the word “step” is said, can the student break it down to s-t-e-p)
- Blending sounds into words (i.e. if given the broken down word m-i-
Reading requires matching sounds to letters.
What should I do if my child struggles to read?
At Enrichment, our guidance is simple but powerful:
Steps to take:
- Reach out to a facility that specializes in dyslexia to better understand the areas where your child may need support.
- Request screening or evaluation
- Seek a clinic that provides an individualized approach.
- Support reading at home with the guidance of the professional
Research shows early intervention leads to significantly better outcomes.
Are dyslexia evaluations covered by insurance?
Sometimes, coverage depends on your insurance plan and the type of evaluation.
How Can ETLC Help?
We utilize evidence-based dyslexia treatment practices in order to optimize reading outcomes. A multisensory approach to reading is incorporated into each of our sessions. This includes auditory, visual, and kinesthetic tools to solidify spelling and reading concepts. We teach the importance of ‘visualizing’ what you hear and read to improve comprehension and memory. Reading and spelling nonsense words ensure mastery of phonics-based rules and increase the success of decoding new words while reading. As your child makes progress, their goals will be monitored and changed to reflect their new abilities, yet continue to challenge them in a motivating environment.
You will receive one-on-one services that identify the root issue holding your child back, create an individualized treatment plan, and use research-proven approaches to help your child succeed.
How Do I Get Started?
1. Schedule a consultation
2. Receive an individualized plan
3. Watch your child thrive
Why Choose ETLC?
Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center provides an individualized program to target the skills that can help bridge the gap between frustration and success. We believe every child deserves to thrive with their communication and academic skills, and we know you want that too. Our specialists are trained in many research-based programs and strategies to create a plan specific to your child and their unique learning style. Together, we can help your child feel confident and successful!