Reading: The Overlooked Link Every Parent Should Understand

Understanding the hidden link between language delay and dyslexia

Research has established an important link between language delay and dyslexia. This link strongly indicates how early language delay can often predict a later struggle with literacy. Children with early language impairments are therefore at a higher risk of developing dyslexia. Despite strong evidence linking early language impairment to later literacy struggles, many children can miss out on timely support. Early intervention for language delay is key for helping develop children’s reading, writing and improving academic achievement.

Dont believe us? - heres the proof

Language Delay Statistics

• Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) affects approximately 7–8% of children, making it more common than autism.

• Children with early language delays are significantly more likely to experience later difficulties in reading, writing, and academic achievement.

• Signs of language delay include limited vocabulary, difficulty following instructions, poor sentence structure, and challenges with social communication.

• Without early intervention, language delays can lead to long-term impacts on education, employment, and emotional wellbeing.

Dyslexia Statistics

• Around 10% of children in the UK are dyslexic — that’s roughly 3 children per classroom.

• 1 in 8 children fails to master basic reading skills by the end of primary school, and 1 in 5 struggles with writing.

• Only 26% of pupils with a specific learning difficulty (most commonly dyslexia) achieve expected levels in English and maths at Key Stage 2, compared to 87% of their peers.

• Dyslexia is strongly linked to phonological processing difficulties, which are rooted in early oral language development.

• Children with oral language impairments are at higher risk for dyslexia, especially if difficulties extend beyond phonology to vocabulary and grammar.

Why This Matters

• The connection between language delay and dyslexia is well-established: early speech and language challenges often predict later literacy struggles.

• Intervention before age 5 can dramatically improve outcomes — yet many children are still told to “wait and see.”

The longer support is delayed, the more likely children are to experience academic underachievement, low self-esteem, and exclusion from learning opportunities.

If you are concerned about your child’s language development, don’t hesitate to contact a Speech and Language Therapist.