We Help Children With
1. Dyslexia:
Dyslexia is a language processing difficulty that affects how a child reads, spells, and works with written words.
It has nothing to do with intelligence — children with dyslexia often understand concepts well, but struggle with decoding and expressing them in written form.
Could this be dyslexia? A quick checklist for parents
You might notice:
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Difficulty recognising letters and matching them to sounds
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Trouble blending sounds to read simple words (e.g., c-a-t → cat)
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Frequent letter reversals (b/d, p/q) beyond the early years
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Slow, effortful, or hesitant reading
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Guessing words instead of reading them accurately
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Poor spelling, even for simple or familiar words
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Difficulty remembering sight words (like “the”, “was”, “said”)
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Avoidance of reading or frustration during reading tasks
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Difficulty following multi-step instructions
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Strong verbal skills but struggles when it comes to reading or writing
2. Dysgraphia:
Dysgraphia is a difficulty with written expression.
A child may know what they want to say, but struggle to put it down on paper clearly, neatly, or in an organised way.
Could this be dysgraphia? A quick checklist for parents
You might notice:
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Messy or inconsistent handwriting
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Difficulty forming letters correctly
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Poor spacing between words or letters
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Writing that is slow, effortful, or tiring
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Frequent erasing or rewriting
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Holding the pencil awkwardly or with too much pressure
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Difficulty copying from the board or a book
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Trouble organising thoughts while writing
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Short or incomplete written answers despite good verbal responses
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Avoidance of writing tasks or frustration during writing
3. Dyscalculia:
Dyscalculia is a difficulty with understanding numbers and mathematical concepts.
A child may find it hard to make sense of quantities, remember math facts, or follow steps in basic calculations, even with practice.
Could this be dyscalculia? A quick checklist for parents
You might notice:
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Difficulty recognising numbers or understanding what they represent
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Trouble counting accurately or keeping track while counting
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Difficulty understanding basic concepts like more/less, bigger/smaller
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Struggles with number sequencing (e.g., what comes before/after a number)
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Difficulty remembering basic math facts (like 2 + 3 or 5 × 2)
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Confusion with math symbols (+, −, ×, ÷)
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Trouble telling time or understanding the concept of time
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Difficulty handling money or simple calculations in daily life
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Gets easily overwhelmed with multi-step math problems
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Avoidance of math tasks or anxiety around numbers
4. ADHD:
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a child’s ability to regulate attention, activity levels, and impulses.
It’s not about laziness or lack of discipline — it’s about how the brain manages focus and control.
Could this be ADHD? A quick checklist for parents
You might notice:
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Difficulty staying focused on tasks, especially those that require sustained attention
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Easily distracted by sounds, movement, or thoughts
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Frequently forgetting instructions or losing things
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Difficulty completing tasks or following through
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Fidgeting, restlessness, or constant movement
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Trouble sitting still when expected to
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Interrupting others or speaking out of turn
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Acting without thinking about consequences
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Difficulty waiting for their turn
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Inconsistent performance — doing well sometimes, struggling at others
7. Processing speed difficulties:
Processing speed refers to how quickly a child can take in information, make sense of it, and respond.
When processing speed is slower, the child may understand what to do — but needs more time to think, organise, and respond.
Could this be processing speed difficulties? A quick checklist for parents
You might notice:
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Takes longer than peers to complete tasks or assignments
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Needs extra time to understand instructions or respond to questions
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Appears slow while reading, writing, or copying work
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Struggles to keep up with the pace of the classroom
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Often left behind when tasks are timed or rushed
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Knows the answer but takes time to express it
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Gets overwhelmed when too much information is given at once
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Difficulty copying from the board or shifting between tasks quickly
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May appear inattentive, but is actually still processing
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Becomes fatigued easily during academic work
6. Executive functioning challenges:
Executive functioning refers to a set of mental skills that help a child plan, organise, remember, and manage their behaviour.
When these skills are still developing or not working efficiently, everyday tasks can feel harder than they should.
Could this be executive functioning challenges?
A quick checklist for parents
You might notice:
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Difficulty getting started on tasks, even when they know what to do
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Trouble organising schoolwork, belongings, or daily routines
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Frequently forgetting instructions or what they were just told
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Difficulty following multi-step directions
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Losing things often (books, pencils, homework)
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Trouble managing time or completing tasks within a given time
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Moving from one activity to another with difficulty (transitions are hard)
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Struggles with planning or thinking ahead
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Giving up easily when tasks feel challenging
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Inconsistent performance — capable one day, struggling the next
5. Sensory Processing difficulties:
Sensory processing difficulties refer to the way a child’s brain receives and responds to everyday sensory input — things they see, hear, touch, taste, and feel in their body.
Some children may find these sensations overwhelming, while others may seek more of them to feel settled.
Could this be sensory processing difficulties?
A quick checklist for parents
You might notice:
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Overreaction to sounds, lights, textures, or certain environments
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Covering ears, avoiding crowds, or getting overwhelmed in busy places
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Discomfort with certain clothes, fabrics, tags, or food textures
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Avoiding touch or, on the other hand, constantly seeking touch and pressure
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Excessive movement — running, jumping, spinning, or crashing into things
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Difficulty sitting still or staying in one place
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Poor awareness of body position (bumping into things, clumsiness)
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Strong reactions to grooming activities (haircuts, nail cutting, brushing teeth)
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Difficulty calming down once upset or overstimulated
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Seeking repetitive sensory experiences (e.g., watching spinning objects, tapping, rubbing textures)