On a recent episode of The Inner Shift, I spoke with Kimothy Walker and Amy Friesen about what happens when bright, capable kids start slipping through the cracks. Amy shared how her daughter was falling behind and showing early signs of reading struggles, saying things no parent wants to hear, like “I’m never going to learn to read.”
But after just one tutoring session, there was a visible change. Her daughter came bounding down the stairs, grinning and excited. She was confident, not that she knew how to read yet, but that she could. She was finally learning in a way that worked for the way she learned.
That’s the shift we want every child to feel as they head back to school.
What Are the Signs of Reading Struggles?
Avoiding reading or saying they “hate” it
Guessing at words instead of sounding them out
Struggling with spelling, even with common words
Confusing letters like b and d, or mixing up sight words
Taking a long time to finish reading-related homework
Reading far below their thinking or speaking ability
Needing help to sound out a word, and then not recognizing the same word just a few pages later
Many parents miss the early signs of reading struggles, especially when their child seems bright and articulate in other areas. Their brains just process language differently, and that means they need to be taught differently, too.
One of the most common misconceptions I see is people thinking that struggling readers just need more practice. In reality, most of them have already been trying harder than anyone realizes.
This Isn’t About “Trying Harder”
What parents often don’t realize is that many kids with dyslexia or learning differences are incredibly bright. Their brains just process language differently, and that means they need to be taught differently, too.
As I shared on the podcast, I’ve seen far too many students make it all the way to middle school unidentified as having any learning differences. These kids are smart, capable, and deeply discouraged because their struggles were mistaken for laziness or lack of intellect. But once they’re understood and supported in the right way, they begin to thrive not just academically, but emotionally too.
By the time they get to us, they’ve often tried everything: school interventions, traditional tutoring, endless practice. But if those methods aren’t aligned with how their brain works, all that effort just leads to more frustration.
That’s where the right kind of support changes everything.
What Support Looks Like at The Open Door
At The Open Door, we use structured, evidence-based programs designed specifically for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Our tutors are trained to adapt their teaching to match how each child learns, whether we’re working with them online or in person.
We meet students where they are, build their confidence, and help them make real progress, sometimes for the first time in years.
You’re Not Alone in Back-to-School Reading Struggles
If your child is heading into a new school year still struggling to read, you are not alone. We support hundreds of families every year who are navigating the same worries, questions, and hopes as you.
If you want more reassurance and practical tips, check out our blog post Inspiring Reading Confidence in a Reluctant Reader, it’s full of real stories and clever ways to hold onto your child’s curiosity and self-belief.
And if you’d like to hear more about the emotional impact and what can help, I’d love for you to listen to the podcast episode I recorded with Kimothy and Amy: The Inner Shift: Episode with Heather Desjardins.
Ready to explore what tutoring could look like? Reach out and we’ll talk it through.
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