Many parents of children in primary school tell me, “My child can read, but when they see a long word, they freeze.”

It is not surprising to hear over time, these children may begin to avoid reading aloud, skip unfamiliar words

While dyslexia is often thought of as a language-based problem in which speed, auditory processing, and working memory affect academic performance, there are other factors to consider that many parents don't think about.

Parents often ask me whether their child is reading at the “right” speed. Some children read accurately but very slowly, others rush through text with little understanding, and many become anxious or fatigued when asked to read aloud.