How to Recognize Dyslexia in a Bilingual Child

When reading struggles don't make sense

You’ve done everything right. You speak two languages at home, your child switches between them with a surprising ease, and they love stories. But now, in school, they’re struggling to read. You're hearing worrying words from teachers—"slow to decode," "difficulty copying from the board," "struggles with spelling." You're exhausted, trying to untangle what's going on. Is this just the challenge of being bilingual, or could it be something more? Dyslexia, perhaps?

Bilingualism isn’t a delay: it’s a strength with layers

Let’s start with something essential: bilingualism does not cause learning difficulties. In fact, being exposed to more than one language often enhances cognitive flexibility, metalinguistic awareness, and long-term academic outcomes. But when a bilingual child is truly dyslexic, these strengths can sometimes mask their challenges, making it harder to notice the signs early.

For instance, your child might be more articulate than their monolingual peers. They may use rich vocabulary in conversation, even be a fluent storyteller in both languages—but when it’s time to read or write, a different picture emerges. The discrepancy between spoken and written skills becomes the first red flag, and it’s one particularly tricky to navigate.

Clues that go beyond the language

Parents of bilingual children often hear, “Give it time, they’ll catch up.” It’s true that some language mixing or delays in reading can be part of the bilingual journey, especially if both languages are still developing. However, dyslexia has its own persistent patterns, and these patterns appear across languages. If your child:

• Struggles to decode simple words in both languages
• Avoids reading aloud or becomes anxious when asked to
• Confuses letters or sounds, even when context should help
• Has difficulty remembering common sight words
• Shows uneven skills – advanced vocabulary but poor spelling

…then it’s time to look more closely.

Keep in mind that visual or auditory memory issues may play a role too. You might notice they forget instructions quickly, or struggle to remember letter-sound associations they've been taught repeatedly. These aren’t "just bilingual things." They are red flags worth investigating.

The emotional toll of a hidden struggle

One mother I spoke with recently shared how embarrassed her son felt. He understood math concepts easily when explained out loud, but couldn’t read the word problems. At bedtime, he made up elaborate stories in French and English, but in class he barely put a sentence together on paper. Eventually he said, "Maybe I’m just not smart." It broke her heart.

The issue isn't only about academics—it’s about self-confidence. When dyslexia is hidden behind bilingualism, a child can go years mislabeled as distracted, lazy, or not sufficiently fluent. That misunderstanding takes a toll. Understanding the difference between dyslexia and other issues is key to getting your child the help they need—and making sure they know it’s not their fault.

Getting a diagnosis: what to expect

If you suspect dyslexia, ask for a comprehensive evaluation that considers both languages. Professionals trained in bilingual education and dyslexia can assess phonological awareness, decoding skills, memory, and comprehension across language environments. The goal isn’t just to compare your child to a monolingual norm—but to understand their particular learning profile.

These evaluations can be hard to find, depending on where you live, and may require some persistence. But they make all the difference. An accurate diagnosis opens the door to specialized strategies, accommodations, and—perhaps most importantly—relief. It gives clarity to your child, who likely already knows that something isn’t working but doesn’t understand why.

Supporting bilingual dyslexic learners at home

The good news? Being bilingual doesn’t make dyslexia worse—it just makes it different. And there are powerful ways to support children without exhausting them or yourself. Here are a few ideas:

First, emphasize listening. Dyslexic children often learn better through sound than sight, especially at younger ages. If your child can’t process written instructions easily, try reading lessons to them aloud. Or even better—use tools that turn their school material into audio. For instance, some educational apps can automatically convert lessons into audio formats or even create adventures where your child becomes the hero. Skuli, for example, personalizes this by using your child’s first name in the story and turns any written lesson into a playful audio adventure. It’s not just engaging—it’s empowering.

Additionally, let your child see themselves succeed. Use short, regular review moments that don't rely solely on reading. Turn photos of their lessons into visual quizzes, or ask questions out loud during car rides. Shift the focus from print to learning itself. You may also want to explore some highly recommended audio tools that cater specifically to children with dyslexia.

Stay bilingual—and stay connected

Most importantly, keep nurturing both languages. Don’t drop one to make the other “easier.” Research shows that with the right support, bilingual dyslexic children can thrive academically and socially in both tongues. Reading to your child in both languages, even if they can’t read themselves yet, is incredibly valuable. Discuss stories. Predict endings. Laugh together. Language is more than words on a page—it’s how we connect.

And that connection, especially when school feels like a constant uphill battle, is what your child needs most. Remember: dyslexia might make reading harder, but it doesn’t dim your child’s intelligence, curiosity, or imagination. In fact, rethinking how we support these learners can open up doors you hadn’t even imagined.

The road ahead

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here. And no app, school, or specialist can replace your clarity, compassion, and determination as a parent. The journey to understanding dyslexia in a bilingual child is layered—but you’re not walking it alone. If anything, your child is already showing incredible resilience just by navigating two languages in a world that doesn’t always pause to listen.

So breathe. You've already taken the first step—by asking the right questions. And that, brave parent, makes all the difference.