Your Polite Child and Dyslexia

(Dyslexia Week 2025)

Every October, Dyslexia Week shines a light on the many children whose learning differences go unseen.

While some students’ struggles are quickly identified, others, often the most polite and well-behaved, quietly fall through the cracks. As a SENCO and Education Consultant, I have met countless children who mask their difficulties behind impeccable manners and quiet struggle.

As a parent, you may have been told that your child is delightful, well-mannered, or a pleasure to teach. Teachers might describe your child as quiet, compliant and child, and the sort of student who “gets on with it” without causing disruption. But sometimes, beneath that polite exterior, your child is working ten times harder than their peers just to keep up.

This is the child who, like a swan, appears calm and steady on the surface while paddling frantically underneath, trying to stay afloat. In a busy classroom, quiet strugglers are often the ones most easily overlooked.

You might hear comments such as:

• “They’re doing really well; they just need to try a bit harder.”
• “Their spelling’s a bit wobbly, but it’s not dyslexia.”
• “They’re a little disorganised; that’s just their age/developmental stage.”

But as a parent, you know something isn’t quite right.

The Hidden Struggles of Dyslexia

Dyslexia is far more than a difficulty with reading and spelling. It often involves:

• Auditory perception and processing challenges, meaning your child may mishear or lose track of spoken instructions.
• Working memory difficulties, leading to problems following multi-step tasks.
• Sequencing and word-finding issues, perhaps they use vague words like “thingamy” or a mix up in word order when speaking or writing.
• Reading comprehension gaps, where the student can read fluently but not fully grasp what they have read.
• Spelling inconsistencies, dismissed as “careless errors” or (worse) “laziness”
• Organisation and coordination difficulties, which can appear as forgetfulness or clumsiness.

While each child’s profile is unique, these hidden difficulties can chip away at confidence, creating anxiety, avoidance and low self-esteem.

Lauren’s Story

Lauren was one of those polite, conscientious students, never in trouble and always trying her best. Her teachers praised her manners and positive attitude but did not flag any concerns. Her Mum, however, noticed that homework was a daily battle, that Lauren often misheard instructions, forgot instructions and that reading comprehension did not seem to “stick”.

After working with a dyslexia specialist teacher in one-to-one sessions, everything began to make sense. Lauren learnt how her brain processes information, discovered techniques that suited her way of learning, and most importantly, began to believe in herself. Her progress in reading and writing was remarkable, but her self-confidence was transformative.

Why Individual Support Matters

While early identification in schools is improving, it often is not enough. Even when dyslexia is recognised, students like Lauren need regular 1:1 specialist teaching or a dyslexia coach to make sustained progress. This personalised approach provides the time, tools and encouragement they need to thrive both academically and emotionally.

At Elite Tutors Sussex, our dyslexia teachers and specialist tutors help children to understand how they learn, and to feel confident and capable once again.

How Do We Support Students with Dyslexia?

The key to supporting students with dyslexia is a personalised, structured approach. At Elite Tutors, we specialise in matching families with qualified teachers and Neurodiverse specialists who understand the unique needs of each learner.

Our approach includes:

• Multisensory teaching: Using visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic methods to strengthen memory and understanding.
• Structured literacy support: Breaking down reading and writing tasks into manageable steps.
• Confidence-building strategies: Celebrating progress and focusing on strengths, not just challenges.
• Close collaboration: Working alongside parents, schools, and SENCOs to ensure consistent strategies are used across settings.
• Assistive technology guidance: Introducing tools such as text-to-speech software, coloured overlays, or apps that make learning more accessible.

Progress is Possible

We regularly hear from parents who describe the transformation their child experiences once they have tailored dyslexia support in place. Reading becomes less stressful, homework battles reduce, and, most importantly, your child will begin to believe in themselves again. That confidence often unlocks better achievement across the curriculum.

If This Sounds Like Your Child…

If you recognise your own child in this description, our dyslexia specialists can help. We offer assessments, one-to-one tutoring and ongoing coaching to support children in discovering their learning strengths.

Get in touch today to arrange a consultation with one of our qualified and experienced teachers and find the right support for your child.

Written by Kae Ormerod, Company Director
Qualified Teacher, SENCO, L4 Dyslexia Award and passionate about helping children to succeed.