Literacy
Literacy
Support for reading, spelling and writing.
What it is
Literacy is reading, spelling and writing. Strong literacy rests on spoken language and on hearing the sounds inside words (phonological awareness), which is why speech pathologists work in this area.
Some children find reading and spelling hard even with good teaching and plenty of practice. This can include dyslexia, a specific learning difficulty with accurate and fluent word reading and spelling.
A speech pathology assessment looks at the language and sound skills underneath literacy, so support targets the real source of the difficulty rather than simply more practice of the same thing.
Signs to look for
Slow or effortful reading
Reading is slow, guessing is common, and it takes a lot of effort.
Spelling that does not stick
Words are learned for a test, then forgotten soon after.
Trouble with rhyme and sounds
Hearing rhymes or breaking words into sounds is hard.
Avoiding reading and writing
Books, homework or writing tasks are avoided where possible.
What to expect by age
A general guide only. Every child develops at their own pace, so please talk to us if you have any concerns.
Preschool
Enjoys rhymes, recognises some letters and knows that print carries meaning.
Kindergarten
Links letters to sounds and begins to blend sounds to read simple words.
Years 1 to 2
Reads and spells simple words accurately and reading becomes more fluent.
Years 3 and up
Reads to learn, understands longer texts and writes more complex sentences.
How we can help
Assessment
We assess the language and sound skills that support reading and spelling.
A clear picture
We explain the results in plain language and outline next steps.
Structured therapy
We build sound awareness, decoding, spelling and reading fluency step by step.
Working with schools
With your consent, we share strategies with teachers and learning support staff.
Ideas to try at home
- Read together every day, taking turns if your child tires easily.
- Play word games with rhymes and the first sounds in words.
- Keep reading enjoyable. Choose books your child is interested in.
Common questions from parents
Can a speech pathologist diagnose dyslexia?
Speech pathologists assess the language and literacy skills involved and can identify a profile consistent with dyslexia. A formal diagnosis is sometimes made together with a psychologist. We will explain the options for your child.
My child can read the words but does not understand them. Can you help?
Yes. Reading comprehension relies on language skills such as vocabulary and understanding sentences, which we can assess and support.
Do you work with the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check?
We can look at your child's results with you and explain how they relate to their sound and reading skills.
Not sure whether this is the right service? Contact us and we will talk it through, or read our frequently asked questions and fees and funding.