My Child Can’t Sound Out Words When Reading
Overcoming Reading Challenges: How Speech Therapy Addresses Dyslexia
Hello, I’m Ellen McSpadden, MA, CCC‑SLP, CAS.
If your child struggles to sound out words, avoids reading aloud, or has difficulty with spelling, you might be seeing early indicators of dyslexia. These are signs of an underlying language-based issue that targeted speech-language therapy is uniquely equipped to address.
The Root of Decoding Difficulties
When children find it difficult to read single words, the problem often lies in connecting the written letters with their corresponding spoken sounds—the core skill of decoding. They may struggle with blending sounds into fluent words, a process heavily reliant on phonological awareness.
Difficulty with phonological awareness is a hallmark of dyslexia, a common language-based learning difference estimated to affect 15-20% of the population (International Dyslexia Association). Children with this challenge often resort to guessing words, confusing similar letter sounds ("p" and "d"), or reading slowly and awkwardly (The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity).
Strong evidence shows that specialized speech-language therapy—focusing on these underlying phonological and language issues—significantly improves reading performance in children with dyslexia (ASHA Wire).
Our Approach: Structured Literacy for Success
Speech-language pathologists utilize structured literacy techniques to build essential sound-symbol connections. We employ explicit, multi-sensory instruction to guide your child step-by-step:
Learning individual speech sounds (phonemes).
Understanding how letters represent those sounds.
Blending sounds to successfully decode words.
We use evidence-based methods, such as SPELL‑Links, to strengthen phonological awareness, boost decoding accuracy, increase reading fluency, and ultimately, enhance comprehension.
When to Seek a Comprehensive Evaluation
These "red flags" suggest it's time for a speech-language evaluation focused on phonological, decoding, and spelling skills:
A history of being a late talker or early speech and language difficulties
Persistent trouble with rhyming and clapping out rhythmic patterns
Guessing at unfamiliar words based only on the first letter
Struggling to read and spell words that have been learned before
Reading and spelling in a strained or unusually slow manner
Mixing up sounds or reversing letters/words (Mayo Clinic)
Taking the Next Step
Early, targeted intervention can set your child on a path to reading success. If you see these patterns, here are the recommended next steps:
Request a comprehensive evaluation: We will assess your child's phonological awareness and decoding skills—the vital link between sounds and letters.
Begin structured literacy therapy: This evidence-based instruction provides the necessary step-by-step guidance to improve reading skills dramatically.
Support at home: Daily sound and reading practice reinforces the skills learned in therapy.
Monitor growth: Our goal is measurable progress in fluency and comprehension, not just rote repetition.
Difficulty sounding out words is a common and highly treatable sign of dyslexia. With early, expert help, children can gain the confidence to decode, understand, and enjoy reading.
Contact Cheerful Chatter Speech-Language Services today to learn more about our literacy programs, available in-person in Camden County and via teletherapy throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. We are dedicated to helping your child build these vital skills.
