Understanding Dyslexia & Dysgraphia
Supporting, and Thriving Together 

Every child brings a unique way of learning and interacting with the world. For many children, challenges with reading, writing, and written expression aren’t due to effort or intelligence, they are rooted in how the brain processes language and motor skills. Two common patterns seen in the classroom and at home are dyslexia and dysgraphia. Understanding what these mean, how they show up, and how we can support children is essential for parents, educators, and caregivers alike.

What Are Dyslexia and Dysgraphia?

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a neurological learning difference that primarily affects reading and language processing. It’s not a reflection of intelligence; rather, it involves how the brain connects sounds, letters, and meaning. Dyslexia often shows up as difficulty with:

• decoding words accurately and fluently

• connecting letters to sounds

• spelling and word retrieval

• reading speed and comprehension

Children with dyslexia may struggle to break words into sounds, recognize familiar words, or read aloud confidently even with practice. It’s one of the most common learning differences, estimates suggest that between 10–20% of Canadians have dyslexia, which could mean around 750,000 school-aged children across the country are navigating reading challenges.

Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is a learning difference that affects writing skills and fine motor coordination. It can make handwriting laborious, slow, or hard to read, even when the child understands the content they want to express. Signs include:

• unclear or inconsistent letter shapes

• trouble spacing words and aligning text

• slow or effortful writing

• difficulty translating ideas into written form

While prevalence data for dysgraphia specifically in Canada is less commonly reported than for dyslexia, research shows that dysgraphia is common in children with other neurodevelopmental differences, for example, over half of children with ADHD or autism show dysgraphia in motor writing tasks.

Together, dyslexia and dysgraphia are part of the wider category of specific learning disorders, which affect up to 5–10% of school-age children in Canada.

What This Looks Like in Real Life

Signs to Watch For

Children with dyslexia may:

• read slowly or inaccurately

• struggle to sound out words

• avoid reading tasks

• have poor spelling despite effort

Children with dysgraphia may:

• produce illegible handwriting

• get fatigued or sore when writing

• avoid writing assignments

• have trouble organizing thoughts on paper

Both conditions can occur together and may also co-occur with challenges in attention, motor coordination, or language processing.

How These Challenges Affect a Child’s Life

Learning differences like dyslexia and dysgraphia can influence many areas of a child’s day-to-day life, academically, socially, and emotionally:

In School

Reading and writing are foundational to most subjects. Without early support, children may:

• fall behind peers in literacy tasks

• struggle with homework and assignments

• require more time to complete work

According to national research, a large proportion of students who are not reading proficiently by the end of Grade 3 continue to struggle academically without targeted intervention.

Emotionally & Socially

Repeated difficulty with reading and writing can affect confidence, self-esteem, and enjoyment of school. Children may withdraw from reading aloud or avoid writing tasks altogether. Over time, these experiences can contribute to anxiety or frustration around learning.

Long-Term Outcomes

Left unsupported, learning differences can impact later life opportunities, from academic pathways to career options. However, with early identification and evidence-based support, many children with dyslexia and dysgraphia go on to succeed academically, professionally, and creatively.

Many advocates emphasize the potential of dyslexic thinkers, creativity, problem-solving, and big-picture thinking, when given the right tools and environments to thrive.

How Thrive Nest Supports Children & Families

At Thrive Nest, we take a whole-child, integrative approach that honors how learning, movement, nervous system function, and nourishment work together in a child’s development. We combine movement-based neurodevelopmental support with Personalized Nutritional Alignment to help children strengthen foundational skills for learning and daily life.

Movement & Neurodevelopmental Support

Movement is foundational to brain organization and motor planning, which ultimately influence reading, writing, attention, and the coordination of complex tasks. Through guided movement patterns and sensory-motor activities, we help:

• improve fine motor control and coordination

• support neural pathways involved in visual-motor integration

• build confidence with tasks that previously felt challenging

For example, rhythmic movement activities can enhance body awareness and reinforce neural circuits important for handwriting fluency, a key challenge for children with dysgraphia.

Personalized Nutritional Alignment

Nutrition affects the brain’s energy systems, stress response, and cognitive processing. Our Personalized Nutritional Alignment service focuses on individualized, science-informed dietary support, not restrictive dieting, to support:

• steady cognitive energy and focus

• balanced neurotransmitter production

• stable moods and stress resilience

• improved digestion and metabolic function

For learning differences, nutritional practices can support the brain’s capacity to focus, process language, and consolidate learning over time.

Example:
A child experiencing fatigue, distractibility, and slow processing may benefit from nutrition strategies that stabilize blood sugar and support gut–brain communication, often leading to clearer cognitive engagement and better persistence with reading and writing tasks.

Practical Strategies Families Can Use Today

Alongside professional support, families can foster progress by:

• creating playful, movement-rich routines to support motor planning (Helping a child’s brain learn how to plan, sequence, and carry out movements by using fun, physical activities as part of everyday life.)

• integrating reading aloud and multisensory language games

• encouraging alternative expression (audiobooks, typing, oral storytelling)

• partnering with educators to ensure accommodations aligned with how your child learns

These practices — combined with Thrive Nest’s targeted interventions — reinforce a child’s strengths while addressing challenges in a supportive, compassionate way.

Conclusion

Dyslexia and dysgraphia are common and real learning differences, but they are not barriers to a fulfilling, successful life. With early understanding, the right interventions, and a holistic approach that supports both neurodevelopment and nutritional wellbeing, children can develop confidence, competence, and joy in learning.

If your child is showing signs of reading or writing challenges, know that support is available. Thrive Nest is here to partner with you and your family to help your child thrive, academically, socially, and emotionally, at every stage of their development.