Isn’t Dyslexia Seeing Words Backwards? (opens in new tab)
Parents commonly ask me, “Isn’t dyslexia seeing words backwards?” The simple answer is no, it is not seeing words backwards.
Dyslexia affects sequencing, or putting information in order. Spelling is a sequential activity – the letters of a word must be in the right order to be spelled correctly. Someone who is dyslexic may have a good idea of which letters are in a word, but he/she is not sure of the correct order.
For example, I gave the Word Identification and Spelling Test (WIST) to an 8-year-old boy before beginning tutoring. The spelling word was “shop.” The little boy sounded out the word in a whisper voice and wrote S-O-P. He knew it didn’t look right, so he tacked on an H at the beginning. 
The same little boy spelled “they” H-T-E-Y. He knew all the right letters, just wasn’t sure of their sequence. The right kind of tutoring can help students like him put sounds and letters in their proper order.
Hey there!
We’re Nashville Dyslexia Center, your go-to stop for online dyslexia tutoring. We’re here to help overwhelmed parents get the reading help they need. Our mission? To see your child thrive - both academically and personally.
TESTS OF DYSLEXIA
Concerned about dyslexia but unsure where to start? Get started with the diagnostic index.
VIDEO RESOURCES PLAYLIST
01. About NDC
Hear from two clients and their childs’ success.
02. Getting a Diagnosis
for dyslexia
03. Language Development
Insight from a Speech Language Pathologist
GET STARTED
READ THE LATEST POSTS
Inspiring Visit to the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Upper Wisconsin
Hey there! In the busy work of serving families affected by dyslexia, it can be easy to stay focused on our own programs, our own students, and our own day-to-day responsibilities. We can forget to pause. To listen. To learn from the people doing this work in different communities. That is why Erin and Steven’s…
Episode 1: Jacob Blumenstein of KidsRead2Kids
In Episode 1 of the Nashville Dyslexia Center series, Jacob Blumenstein, founder of KidsRead2Kids, shares his passion for helping struggling readers find confidence and joy in reading. This inspiring conversation explores how early experiences with literacy challenges can spark meaningful work, and how compassion, creativity, and structured guidance make a real difference for learners of…
Episode 2: Diagnosing Dyslexia with Dr. Jackie Klaver
Understanding whether a child has dyslexia can be both empowering and overwhelming for families. In Episode 2: Diagnosing Dyslexia with Dr. Jackie Klaver, the Nashville Dyslexia Center brings clarity to the dyslexia assessment process by talking with Dr. Klaver — an experienced neuropsychologist — about what evaluations involve, when to seek one, and how results…
Episode 3: Understanding the Emotional Side of Dyslexia with Tricia Thornton
Dyslexia is most often defined by language-based learning differences — difficulties with decoding, spelling, and reading fluency. But there’s another side to dyslexia that isn’t talked about as often: the emotional experience. In the Nashville Dyslexia Center video “Understanding the Emotional Side of Dyslexia with Tricia Thornton,” families are guided through how dyslexia can impact…
Episode 4: Nicole Holcomb of the Dyslexia Mom Life
When a child struggles with reading, it affects the whole family. Episode 4: Nicole Holcomb of the Dyslexia Mom Life offers an honest and heartfelt look at one parent’s dyslexia journey. Nicole Holcomb — educator, attorney, and founder of Dyslexia Mom Life — shares her family’s experience with dyslexia, including early concerns, the emotional impact,…
Episode 5: Author Cigdem Knebel of Simple Words Books
Dyslexia doesn’t just challenge readers — it also inspires creators. In Episode 5: Author Çiğdem Knebel of Simple Words Books, the Nashville Dyslexia Center highlights how one author’s understanding of dyslexia fuels her mission to make reading more approachable and joyful for children. This episode celebrates creativity, inclusion, and the power of thoughtful book design…
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO READ TODAY?
Search
