# When should I worry about dyslexia in my 18–24-month-old?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-that-my-18-to-24-month-old-might-have-dyslexia-reading-impairment
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Dyslexia is a reading difference, and reading develops years from now — so it cannot be identified in an 18-to-24-month-old, and there's nothing to worry about on that front yet. At this age there is no test for dyslexia. Simply nurture early language, listening and rhyme, as these are the foundations reading is built on. A reading assessment becomes meaningful only around ages 6–8.

*If you've heard the word dyslexia and wondered whether your toddler's early signs might hint at it, take a breath — what you're feeling is loving attentiveness, and there's reassuring news here.*

## In short
Dyslexia is a *reading* difference, and reading is a skill that develops years from now — so it cannot be identified in an 18-to-24-month-old, and there is nothing to worry about on that front yet. At this age there is no meaningful test for dyslexia; the helpful thing is simply to nurture and watch your child's early **language and listening** skills, because these are the foundations reading will later be built upon. A formal reading assessment becomes appropriate only around ages 6–8, once structured reading instruction is well under way.

## What is actually worth watching at 18–24 months
Rather than looking for "signs of dyslexia", which don't exist this early, gently enjoy and observe the building blocks of communication:

- **Words and understanding** — using single words by ~18 months and starting to combine two words by ~24; following simple instructions; pointing to name familiar objects.
- **Listening and sound play** — turning to your voice, enjoying rhymes, songs and the rhythm of language.
- **Shared attention** — pointing to show you things, looking where you point, taking turns in babble and play.
- **Family history** — if reading difficulties run in your family, it is simply worth a mental note for the school years ahead — not a worry now.

If by 24 months your child has very few words, isn't combining words, doesn't respond to their name, or has lost skills they once had, that is a reason for a **general developmental and hearing check** — not a dyslexia assessment.

## When reading assessment becomes meaningful
Dyslexia is reliably explored from about **ages 6–8**, when a child has had real exposure to reading and writing and patterns such as difficulty linking letters to sounds can be observed. Until then, the kindest investment is rich talk, shared books and playful rhyme — these strengthen the very skills that protect later reading.

## The Pinnacle way
A clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an online list, and never for dyslexia at this age. If you ever have concerns about early talking and listening, our [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) team offers gentle, play-based support, and you can read more about how [dyslexia](/dyslexia) is understood and supported when the school years arrive.

## Trusted sources
WHO ICD-11 classifies developmental learning disorder with impairment in reading; the American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org) and CDC describe age-appropriate language milestones for toddlers; ASHA outlines the early language foundations that underpin later reading.

**Next step —** Keep reading and rhyming together every day. If early language ever feels behind, [book a developmental check](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/enroll-autism-speech-aba-therapies-india) with a Pinnacle clinician for reassurance and a clear baseline.

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- WHO ICD-11: developmental learning disorder with impairment in reading: https://icd.who.int/
- AAP HealthyChildren: toddler language milestones: https://www.healthychildren.org/
- ASHA: early language foundations of reading: https://www.asha.org/

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Conditions: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/conditions
- Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Toddler-18-24: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/age/toddler-18-24
- Cognitive: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/cognitive
- Concern: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/concern
- Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen
- Special Education: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/special-education
- Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity

## Related question paths

### Understand the subject
- How Dyslexia Affects a Child's Daily Life: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-dyslexia-reading-impairment-affect-a-child-s-daily-life
- Is Dyslexia Considered a Disability?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-dyslexia-reading-impairment-considered-a-disability
- Is Dyslexia Genetic or Hereditary?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-dyslexia-reading-impairment-genetic-or-hereditary
- What are common myths about Dyslexia (Reading Impairment)?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-common-myths-about-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- What are the types or levels of Dyslexia?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- What causes dyslexia in children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-dyslexia-reading-impairment-in-children
- What is Dyslexia (Reading Impairment)?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- What is Dyslexia (Reading Impairment) and what does it look like in early childhood?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-dyslexia-reading-impairment-and-what-does-it-look-like-in-early-childhood
- What other conditions often occur alongside dyslexia?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-other-conditions-often-occur-alongside-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- Early intervention outcomes for dyslexia under 7: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-current-research-show-about-early-intervention-outcomes-for-dyslexia-reading-impairment-in-children-under-7
- Dyslexia (Reading Impairment): ICD-11 Definition: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-dyslexia-reading-impairment-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood
- ICD-11 Classification for Dyslexia (Reading Impairment): https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-dyslexia-reading-impairment

### Recognise signs & concerns
- When to worry about dyslexia in a 12–18 month old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-that-my-12-to-18-month-old-might-have-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- Early signs of dyslexia in an 18-to-24-month-old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-dyslexia-reading-impairment-in-a-18-to-24-month-old
- Early Signs of Dyslexia in a 12-to-18-Month-Old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-dyslexia-reading-impairment-in-a-12-to-18-month-old
- When to worry about dyslexia at 9–12 months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-that-my-9-to-12-month-old-might-have-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- When to worry about dyslexia in a 6–9-month-old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-that-my-6-to-9-month-old-might-have-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- Early Signs of Dyslexia in a 9-to-12-Month-Old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-dyslexia-reading-impairment-in-a-9-to-12-month-old
- Can Dyslexia Be Cured?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-dyslexia-reading-impairment-be-cured
- Can Dyslexia Be Prevented?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-dyslexia-reading-impairment-be-prevented
- Do boys show dyslexia differently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-boys-show-dyslexia-reading-impairment-differently
- Do girls show dyslexia differently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-girls-show-dyslexia-reading-impairment-differently
- Should I be worried my child might have dyslexia?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/should-i-be-worried-my-child-might-have-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- Early Signs of Dyslexia (Reading Impairment): https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-dyslexia-reading-impairment

### Explore causes & influences
- Are boys more likely to have dyslexia?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-boys-more-likely-to-have-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- Are girls more likely to have dyslexia?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-girls-more-likely-to-have-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- What Causes Dyslexia in Young Children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-dyslexia-reading-impairment-in-young-children
- Early Dyslexia Intervention, UNCRPD and the SDGs: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-early-intervention-for-dyslexia-reading-impairment-advance-un-child-rights-uncrpd-and-the-sdgs
- Contributing Factors for Dyslexia in Early Childhood: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-known-contributing-factors-for-dyslexia-reading-impairment-in-early-childhood
- Cost-effectiveness of early dyslexia therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-cost-effectiveness-of-early-therapy-for-dyslexia-reading-impairment-in-young-children
- Dyslexia in India: prevalence and public-health burden: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-prevalence-and-public-health-burden-of-dyslexia-reading-impairment-among-young-children-in-india

### Understand assessment
- How AbilityScore tracks progress in a child with dyslexia: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-abilityscore-track-progress-in-a-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- How Dyslexia Is Assessed in a Young Child: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-dyslexia-reading-impairment-assessed-in-a-young-child
- How is Dyslexia Assessed in Children Under 7?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-dyslexia-reading-impairment-assessed-in-children-under-7
- AbilityScore 0–100 for a child with dyslexia: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-mean-for-a-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- What an AbilityScore of 100–200 Means for a Child with Dyslexia: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-100-200-mean-for-a-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- What does an AbilityScore of 200–300 mean for a child with Dyslexia?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-200-300-mean-for-a-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- What does an AbilityScore of 300–400 mean for a child with Dyslexia?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-300-400-mean-for-a-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- What an AbilityScore of 400–500 Means for a Child with Dyslexia: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-400-500-mean-for-a-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- What does an AbilityScore of 500–600 mean for a child with Dyslexia?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-500-600-mean-for-a-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- What does an AbilityScore of 600–700 mean in dyslexia?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-600-700-mean-for-a-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- What an AbilityScore of 700–800 Means for a Child with Dyslexia: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-700-800-mean-for-a-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- What does an AbilityScore of 800–900 mean for a child with Dyslexia?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-800-900-mean-for-a-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment

### Explore therapy & support
- Can a child with dyslexia attend a mainstream school?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-a-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment-attend-a-mainstream-school
- Can a Child with Dyslexia Attend a Regular School?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-a-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment-attend-a-regular-school
- Can a Child with Dyslexia Grow Up to Live Independently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-a-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment-grow-up-to-live-independently
- Supporting Cognitive Development in a Child with Dyslexia: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-we-support-cognitive-development-in-a-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment
- How Is Dyslexia Diagnosed in a Child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-dyslexia-reading-impairment-diagnosed-in-a-child
- How Dyslexia Is Supported Through Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-dyslexia-reading-impairment-supported-through-therapy
- Dyslexia AbilityScore 0–100 — Your Next Steps: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment-has-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-what-should-we-do-next
- Dyslexia & an AbilityScore of 100–200: what to do next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment-has-an-abilityscore-of-100-200-what-should-we-do-next
- Dyslexia and an AbilityScore of 200–300: What to Do Next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment-has-an-abilityscore-of-200-300-what-should-we-do-next
- Dyslexia AbilityScore 300–400 — Next Steps for Parents: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment-has-an-abilityscore-of-300-400-what-should-we-do-next
- AbilityScore 400–500 with Dyslexia — Your Next Steps: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment-has-an-abilityscore-of-400-500-what-should-we-do-next
- Dyslexia and an AbilityScore of 500–600: what to do next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment-has-an-abilityscore-of-500-600-what-should-we-do-next

### At home & in everyday life
- How to Support Your Child with Dyslexia at Home: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-my-child-with-dyslexia-reading-impairment-at-home