Will Your Child Grow Out of Reading Difficulties?

Joanne Kaminski
2 days ago
2 min read

Can kids grow out of reading difficulties?

No, not usually. While some children may improve slightly over time, research shows that reading challenges — especially those rooted in learning disabilities like dyslexia — rarely resolve on their own.

"There is no evidence that children naturally outgrow dyslexia or similar reading disabilities without instruction." — Reading Rockets

In fact, studies show that without intervention:

75% of children who struggle in third grade continue to struggle in later grades
Early difficulties often lead to widening academic gaps, known as the Matthew Effect where the strong get stronger and the weak get weaker.

Why early intervention matters

Research from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and other sources confirms that early, structured, and personalized instruction can dramatically improve reading outcomes:

Up to 90–95% of struggling readers can reach grade level with the right help
Children benefit most when intervention begins in kindergarten through second grade

Structured literacy programs — which focus on phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension — are especially effective for kids with dyslexia and related challenges.

What happens if we just wait and see?

Waiting often results in:

Lower self-esteem and frustration
Increased academic struggles
Missed opportunities to rewire the brain during critical developmental windows

Real-life example:

"I've watched kids whose parents wanted to get help but waited another year — and their skills declined instead of improving. In contrast, most of my students close a full year reading gap in just 12 hours of tutoring." — Joanne Kaminski, Reading Specialist

What’s the best next step?

Get a free reading assessment and/or dyslexia screening. This helps identify whether your child has gaps in their reading foundation or signs of a reading disability.

👉 Click here to register for a free reading assessment

Parent testimonial

"After 2 months (approximately 10 hours) of tutoring, our grandchild recovered nearly a year of reading skills. Her confidence is increasing — which means the world to us. Joanne's patience, professionalism, and skill were unmatched." — Sherri Johnson

Final thoughts

Reading difficulties rarely resolve without support. But with the right tools, the right tutor, and the right timing — your child can thrive. You don’t have to wait and hope. You can take action today.

About the Author

Joanne Kaminski is the founder of Bright Idea Reading Tutoring and a certified reading specialist who has been working with children since 2000. For the past 15 years, she’s helped kids around the world close the reading gap through her online tutoring services. Joanne specializes in working with children in K–2, especially those with dyslexia and learning disabilities, using a structured literacy approach tailored to each child’s needs. She offers free reading assessments and dyslexia screenings to help parents take the first step toward reading success.