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 likely heard these words if you're worried about your child's reading. Maybe from a teacher. Perhaps from family or even a doctor. You walk away feeling confused. Should you wait? Is your worry valid?

Let me be clear:

Do not wait and see. If a teacher says, "Let's just see how they progress," don’t listen. Time is not on your side.

I say this because I've lived it. I'm an Orton-Gillingham tutor and a mom of two dyslexic boys. I've seen what happens when families wait. I've also seen the difference when they act quickly. The contrast 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 their peers. They exert four times the effort to achieve the same results. Time works against you. The sooner you act, the better.

What Happens When You Wait

Here's what I see all the time:

A parent notices their child struggling. They voice their concerns. They're told to wait and see. Months pass. Sometimes years. You don’t want to be in Grade 3 and think, "I knew in kindergarten there was a problem, but I was told to wait and see." Now, in Grade 3, your child has missed critical years of learning to read. Those early 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.

The worst part? They start to believe they lack intelligence. Research supports this. When children don’t receive early assistance, the gap widens each year, and their self-esteem diminishes.

Why Schools Say "Wait and See"

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

They say "wait and see" because:

• Every child grows at their own pace.

• Some kids are late bloomers.

• They don’t want to label kids too early.

  
  

I understand this perspective. But they're missing something crucial. Getting help early doesn’t label your child; it supports them. Testing doesn’t harm them; it provides 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 identify them, the better they perform.

YouTube Video: Signs of Dyslexia in Early Grades

Early Warning Signs to Watch For

You may notice things at home that teachers miss at school. Trust your observations. Watch for these signs:

Reading Problems

• Reading is slow and challenging.

• They guess words after seeing the first letter.

• They struggle to sound out new words.

• They avoid reading aloud.

• They claim to feel "sick" when asked to read in class.

  
  

Speech Problems

• They mispronounce words.

• They say "pacific" instead of "specific."

• They struggle to 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 struggle to learn the alphabet or count.

• They mix up the days of the week.

• They forget their friends' names.

  
  

Writing Problems

• Their letters vary in size.

• Their writing slopes downward on the page.

• They can’t express their thoughts on paper.

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

  
  

Behavior Changes

• Your cheerful child suddenly dislikes school.

• They avoid anything involving letters or numbers.

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

• They have meltdowns over homework.

  
  

Remember: Your child might exhibit one sign or several. Every child with dyslexia is unique. If you notice these signs and feel concerned, trust your instincts.

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 receive reading help early, 56% to 92% reach normal reading levels.

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

• Waiting hurts kids emotionally. When children struggle for years without understanding why, it alters their self-perception. Most kids aren’t diagnosed with dyslexia until second or third grade. By then, they may have been failing to read for a long time. That’s why I say: Time is against you. We can’t afford to 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 occur? How often? What does your child express? These notes will be helpful when you discuss your concerns with teachers or doctors.

Talk to Your Child's Teacher

Share your worries. Ask if they observe the same issues at school. Sometimes kids behave differently in various settings.

Ask for Testing

Don’t wait for the school to suggest it. You can request that your child be tested for learning differences.

Get Private Testing

If the school declines, you can opt for private testing. It may cost money, but insurance might help cover it. Learn about assessment timing and what schools should provide.

The moment your teacher indicates something isn't quite right, it’s crucial to get a psychological educational evaluation. The information you gain can change everything for your child.

Trust Your Parental Instincts

You know your child better than anyone else. If something feels off, 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 affirm that it’s okay to trust their observations.

What Early Help Can Do

When families don’t wait, remarkable things happen. Kids who were losing confidence begin to feel smart again. They learn in ways that work for their brains. They stop believing something is wrong with them. Parents transition from worry and confusion to confidence. They learn how to support their child and communicate effectively with schools. Most importantly, kids acquire the tools they need for life—not just for elementary school, but for middle school, high school, and beyond.

Why This Matters for Your Child's Future

Dyslexia doesn’t disappear. But with the right help, kids with dyslexia can achieve amazing things. Both my boys are thriving in university now. Not because their dyslexia vanished, but because they learned to work with it. They understand how to ask for help. They know their best learning styles. They view their dyslexia as a different way of thinking, not as a problem. This didn’t happen by chance. It happened because we sought help early and continued to support them throughout their education.

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 intelligent. If they struggle with reading, it doesn’t mean they lack intelligence. It might mean they learn differently. If they learn differently, there are proven methods to help them succeed. Waiting costs too much. Acting early provides immense benefits. Don’t let anyone tell you to wait and see. Your child's future is too important. Unfortunately, "wait and see" is just one of several myths about dyslexia support that can actually hinder children's progress.

Ready to stop waiting and start acting? As an Orton-Gillingham tutor, I also offer parent coaching to assist families worried about their child's reading. I help you collaborate with schools and create clear action plans. *Book a free call to discuss your child and what steps to take 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 understands the challenges parents face. She helps families obtain the support their children need.