TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | STITCHER | SPOTIFY
Before we knew our daughter was dyslexic, we did not know the warning signs or red flags for identification. Ironically, as a former school counselor and a husband with a masters in special education, we knew very little about dyslexia.
For many students, his/her dyslexia flies under the radar. What many people call Stealth Dyslexia in students.
Most people think of dyslexia as a noticeable difficulty with reading and writing. But for some students, their intelligence and coping strategies allow them to hide their struggles—sometimes even from themselves. This is what we call stealth dyslexia. Often times for educators and parents struggle to make sense out of the fact their very bright student is struggling to read. Stealth students are able to mask or compensate for their dyslexia.
How does it go unnoticed? What are the signs? And how can we support these students before they burn out?
Stealth Dyslexia
What is Stealth Dyslexia?
When people picture dyslexia, they often imagine a child who struggles to sound out words or has difficulty spelling. But not all dyslexic students fit this mold.
Stealth dyslexia refers to students who:
- Have strong verbal skills but struggle with reading and writing behind the scenes.
- Mask their difficulties through memorization, guessing, or context clues.
- Appear to be strong students—until reading and writing demands increase.
These students may be labeled as lazy, inattentive, or even not working up to their potential—when in reality, they’re working twice as hard to keep up.
The Hidden Signs of Stealth Dyslexia
What are the red flags? If a student is compensating, how can parents and teachers recognize the signs?
🚩 Slow Reading Speed – Even though a student understands the material, reading is tiring and time-consuming.
🚩 Avoiding Reading Aloud – Students may stumble over words or hesitate, even if they have a strong vocabulary.
🚩 Writing Doesn’t Match Intelligence – Verbal skills may be advanced, but written work is full of spelling errors, incomplete thoughts, or messy handwriting.
🚩 High Anxiety Around Reading & Writing Tasks – Homework takes much longer than it should, or they express frustration with school.
🚩 Good at Hiding It – They may use humor, charm, or other tactics to steer attention away from their difficulties.
If a bright, articulate student struggles with written work but no one can figure out why, stealth dyslexia might be at play.
The Impact of Undiagnosed Dyslexia
Because these students ‘get by’ in school, they are often overlooked for intervention. But over time, the strain of working harder than their peers can take a toll.
📌 Self-Esteem Issues – They may feel like they’re not as smart as others, despite their intelligence.
📌 Academic Burnout – As reading and writing demands increase, their ability to compensate breaks down. They may start having somatic symptoms (headahes, stomach aches, etc.)
📌 Anxiety & Perfectionism – Many develop stress-related habits, trying to keep up appearances.
Without the right support, stealth dyslexia can lead to frustration and exhaustion. The good news? Once it’s recognized, students can thrive with the right strategies.
How to Support Students with Stealth Dyslexia
What can parents, teachers, and even students do?
✔️ Look Beyond Grades – If a student is struggling with reading and writing but still making good grades, dig deeper. Are they overcompensating?
✔️ Get a Dyslexia Screening – A formal evaluation can uncover hidden challenges. International Dyslexia Associations has a free screener.
✔️ Teach with Multisensory Methods – Using audiobooks, voice-to-text, and hands-on learning can reduce the strain of traditional reading and writing.
✔️ Encourage Strength-Based Learning – Focus on their creativity, problem-solving, and verbal strengths.
✔️ Normalize Dyslexia – When students understand their brains work differently, they can build confidence instead of self-doubt.
Dyslexia is not a measure of intelligence—it’s a difference in the way the brain processes information. The sooner we recognize stealth dyslexia, the sooner we can set students up for success.
Remember, you are not alone. You got this!
Interviews and Research About Stealth Dyslexia.
To learn more about stealth dyslexia, watch a video from Dyslexic Advantage.
Fumiko Hoeft is a psychiatrist and brain scientist at the University of California, San Francisco. She is also one of the world’s top dyslexia researchers. In 2015, the New Yorker magazine published an article, about Hoeft’s research on stealth dyslexia.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Episode 130: Understanding Your Child’s Dyslexia Workshop
- Subscribe to the Better Together Newletter
DID YOU ENJOY THE SHOW?
Did you get a copy of the Dyslexia?!? Now What?, A Beginner’s Guide yet? Grab your free copy today!
Remember, You Got This! You are not alone!
If you want to join other amazing moms raising children with dyslexia, join the Dyslexia Mom Life Podcast Community FB Group. It’s a supportive space to connect with other moms, podcast guests, and Nicole.
Don’t miss an episode – subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
- Leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts.
- Join the conversation by leaving a comment below or join our amazing mom tribe in our private Facebook Group for the show, Dyslexia Mom Life Podcast Community. It’s free!
- Share the show with a bestie, your “friends” on social, or save it to Pinterest (as a bookmark to refer back to later).
