Why 'Wait and See' is the Worst Advice for Dyslexic Children



As an Orton-Gillingham tutor and mom of two dyslexic boys, here's why those three words break my heart.

"Let's just wait and see how they progress." You've heard these words if you're worried about your child's reading. Maybe from a teacher. Maybe from family. Maybe from a doctor. You walked away feeling confused. Should you wait? Is your worry real?

Let me be clear:

Do not wait and see, do not do that if a teacher says... let's just see how they progress. No time is against you.

I say this because I've lived it. I'm an Orton-Gillingham tutor and mom of two dyslexic boys. I've seen what happens when families wait. I've seen what happens when they act fast. The difference breaks my heart.

Why I Feel So Strongly About This

I have three boys. My oldest had no reading problems. He read before kindergarten. School was easy for him. My next two boys both have dyslexia. We got lucky. My second son's dyslexia was caught in preschool. We knew something was different before kindergarten started. We were ready to help and notified the team of educators we worked with.

Here's what I learned: Early help is key. Dyslexia robs you of time. That's the one thing we don't have a lot of when you have dyslexia. Kids with dyslexia work four times harder than other kids. They work four times harder to get the same results.

Time works against you. The sooner you act, the better.

The sooner you act, the better

What Happens When You Wait

Here's what I see all the time:

A parent sees their child struggling. They tell someone. They're told to wait and see. Months pass. Sometimes years. You don't wanna be in Grade 3 and go, 'I knew in kindergarten there was a problem, but I was told to wait and see. And now we're at Grade 3 and they've missed these critical years of learning to read.’ Those years matter. From kindergarten to Grade 3, kids learn to read. After Grade 3, they read to learn.

Miss those early years? Your child falls behind in everything. Science. Social studies. Math problems.

The worst part? They believe they lack intelligence. Research also indicates this. When children don't receive early assistance, the gap widens annually, and their self-esteem diminishes as well.

Why Schools Say "Wait and See"

Schools aren't trying to hurt kids. Teachers care about their students.

They say "wait and see" because:

• Every child grows at their own speed

• Some kids are late bloomers

• They don't want to label kids too early

I get it. But they're missing something big. Getting help early doesn't label your child. It supports them. Getting tested doesn't hurt them. It gives you answers.

Here's what many people don't know: One in five kids has some kind of learning difference. In a class of 25 kids, five will need extra help. The earlier we find them, the better they do.

YouTube Video: Signs of Dyslexia in Early Grades

Early Warning Signs to Watch For

You see things at home that teachers miss at school. Trust what you see.

Watch for these signs:

Reading Problems

• Reading is slow and hard

• They guess at words after seeing the first letter

• They can't sound out new words

• They avoid reading out loud

• They get "sick" when they have to read in class

Speech Problems

• They can't say words the right way

• They say "pacific" instead of "specific"

• They can't rhyme words like cat, hat, bat

• They can't find the words they want to say

Memory Problems

• They can't follow simple directions like "get shoes, grab coat, go to car"

• They can't learn the alphabet or count well

• They mix up the days of the week

• They forget their friends' names

Writing Problems

• Their letters are different sizes

• Their writing goes downhill on the page

• They can't get their thoughts on paper

• "I had a great weekend" becomes "it was good"

Behavior Changes

• Your happy child suddenly hates school

• They avoid anything with letters or numbers

• They say, "I'm stupid" or "I hate school"

• They have meltdowns over homework

Remember: Your child might have one sign or many signs. Every child with dyslexia is different. If you see these signs and feel worried, trust yourself.

Want to see real examples of these early warning signs? Watch my detailed video where I explain what these signs look like at home and why acting early makes all the difference: Never Wait and See: Early Dyslexia Warning Signs Every Parent Must Know (K-3)

What Research Says About Timing

Science backs up what I've learned:

• Early help works. When kids get reading help early, 56% to 92% reach normal reading levels.

• Later help is harder. Help works twice as well before fourth grade.

• Waiting hurts kids emotionally. When kids struggle for years without knowing why, it changes how they see themselves. Most kids aren't found to have dyslexia until second or third grade. By then, they've been failing to read for a long time. That's why I say: Time is against you. We can't wait.

What to Do Instead of Waiting

If you see warning signs, here's what to do:

Write Down What You See

Make notes about your child's struggles. When do they happen? How often? What does your child say? These notes help when you talk to teachers or doctors.

Talk to Your Child's Teacher

Share your worries. Ask if they see the same things at school. Sometimes kids act differently in different places.

Ask for Testing

Don't wait for the school to suggest it. You can ask for your child to be tested for learning differences.

Get Private Testing

If the school says no, you can pay for private testing. It costs money, but insurance might help pay for it. Learn about assessment timing and what schools should provide.

The minute that your teacher tells you that there's something not quite right... That's when it's really important that you get a psychological educational evaluation. The information you get can change everything for your child.

Trust Your Parental Instincts

You know your child better than anyone. If something feels wrong, it probably is.

Parents often ask me: "How can I help early if I don't know something's wrong?"

But most parents do know. They see the struggles. They notice the changes. They just need someone to say it's okay to trust what they see.

Trust Your Parental Instincts

What Early Help Can Do

When families don't wait, amazing things happen:

Kids who were losing confidence feel smart again. They learn ways that work for their brain. They stop thinking something is wrong with them. Parents go from worried and confused to confident. They know how to help their child. They know how to talk to schools. Most important? Kids gain the tools they need for life, not just for elementary school, but for middle school, high school, and college.

Why This Matters for Your Child's Future

Dyslexia doesn't go away. But with the right help, kids with dyslexia can do amazing things. Both my boys are doing great in university now. Not because their dyslexia disappeared. Because they learned how to work with it. They know how to ask for help. They know how they learn best. They see their dyslexia as thinking differently, not as a problem. This didn't happen by accident. It happened because we got help early. We kept helping them all through school.

What You Can Do Right Now

If you're reading this and thinking about your child, know this: You're not overreacting. You're not being dramatic. You're being a good parent. Your child is smart. If they struggle with reading, it doesn't mean they're not intelligent. It might mean they learn differently. If they learn differently, there are proven ways to help them succeed. Waiting costs too much. But acting early helps so much. Don't let anyone tell you to wait and see. Your child's future matters too much. Unfortunately, "wait and see" is just one of several myths about dyslexia support that can actually hurt children's progress.

Ready to stop waiting and start acting? As an Orton-Gillingham tutor, I also offer parent coaching to help families who worry about their child's reading. I help you work with schools and make clear action plans. Book a free call to talk about your child and what to do next.

About Kathleen: Kathleen Kischer is an Orton-Gillingham tutor and parent coach who supports families navigating dyslexia. As a mom of two dyslexic boys, she knows what parents go through. She helps families get the support their kids need.