Dyslexics do not make reading errors that are at random but they make specific errors. The spelling shows the same pattern of mistakes. These mistakes have to be taken note of.

Reading:

The dyslexic can read a word on a particular page but fails to recognize it on another page.

The dyslexic is knowledgeable about phonics but cannot or will not pronounce any unfamiliar word.

The dyslexic slowly labours through reading that is full of mistakes. Words are read in isolation if there are no clues to link to a story or pictures.

While misreading dyslexics often pronounce words whose first and last letters look alike like trial and trail.

Dyslexics tend to put in or leave out some letters mixing up could with cold and star with stair.

Dyslexics may pronounce a word that comprises of same letters but alters the sequences. For instance they turn who into how and last into lots or girl into grill.

Their tone while reading has a choppy cadence without a smooth flow of phrases. Punctuations are often ignored.

After reading for a short spell they become noticeably tired.

Their understanding level of what they read is low because their energy is exhausted trying to come to grips with the words. However their listening comprehension is relatively much higher when compared to their reading understanding.

While they are reading or writing their directional confusion becomes apparent.

The classic warning sign is when the letters ‘b’ and‘d’ confuse them. One letter points to the right while the other to the left.  Dyslexics are noted for their directional confusion.

It is the same with ‘b’ and ‘p’ as with ‘m’ and ‘w’ with letters pointing upwards and downwards. This is also confusing to them as regards direction.

Dyslexics frequently substitute words that look alike disregarding the sentence meaning. They replace sunrise for surprise, while for white, house for horse and walking for wanting.

While reading a narrative or a sentence they substitute words that do not look alike but have similar meaning; for instance they replace trip for journey, speed for fast and weep for cry.

Dyslexics misread, leave out and sometimes add small functional words like as, a, an, to, from, the, of, are, were etc.

They leave out or alter suffixes replacing need with needed, talks for talking or lately for late. 

Spelling:

The spelling of the dyslexics is poorer than their reading. They sometimes invent spelling and have great difficulty managing vowels; consequently they often leave these out altogether.

With Herculean effort they can sometimes memorize on Monday to pass the test on Friday but two hours later they fail to spell the very same words when putting these down in sentences.

Dyslexics repeatedly misspell sight words of high frequency (very common but non-phonetic words) like they, what does, where and because. It happens in spite of repeated practice.

Even while copying a word from the board or from a text book they tend to copy erroneously.

Their writing shows up how uncertain they are about spelling with numerous erasing and crossing out.