24/08/2026
I hope everyone is having a good start to the school year - however, I know how heartbreaking it can be to hear your child talk negatively about themselves -
“I’m rubbish at reading.”
“Everyone else is quicker than me.”
“I hate writing.”
“I don’t understand what I’m supposed to do.”
“I’m stupid.”
“I don’t want to go to school.”
The start of a new school year can bring learning difficulties into sharper focus.
New teachers, harder work, more reading and writing, increased expectations and a busier classroom can suddenly make a child who was managing before feel overwhelmed, frustrated or anxious about their learning.
Sometimes the first sign that a child needs additional literacy support isn't a school result.
It's a change in how they talk about themselves.
You might notice:
🔹 Avoiding reading or homework
🔹 Becoming upset or angry when asked to write
🔹 Saying schoolwork is “too hard”
🔹 Comparing themselves negatively with classmates
🔹 Losing confidence in abilities they once felt positive about
🔹 Taking much longer than expected to complete literacy tasks
🔹 Complaining of tiredness when reading
🔹 Becoming increasingly reluctant to go to school
At Aberdeen Dyslexia Learning Centre, I work with children and young people who may be experiencing difficulties with reading, spelling, writing, phonics, comprehension, processing, memory and organisation.
Support is individualised to the learner, with a strong focus not only on developing skills, but on rebuilding confidence and helping children understand that needing a different approach to learning does not mean they are less able.
If the new school year has already raised concerns for you, you don't need to wait until your child is really struggling before seeking advice.
📩 Please send me a private message for an informal chat about what you've been noticing and whether an initial assessment or additional literacy support may be helpful.
Sometimes the right support, introduced at the right time, can make a huge difference to how a child feels about learning. 💙
Please feel free to share this post with another parent who may need to see it.
aberdeendyslexia.co.uk
