Dyslexia Support

When reading, spelling and writing feel unusually difficult, the impact can reach well beyond schoolwork.


Children may become tired, frustrated or reluctant to engage, and over time it can affect confidence, behaviour, school participation and how they see themselves as a learner.

Based in Silverdale, Auckland. BodyLink support can sit alongside school-based support, specialist literacy teaching, tutoring and other services.

Supporting the foundations around learning



At BodyLink, we support children with dyslexia and other reading and learning challenges by looking at the wider developmental picture.


Depending on the individual child, this may include areas such as visual tracking, coordination, attention, regulation, motor patterns and developmental reflexes — all of which can influence how demanding reading and written work feels.


BodyLink does not diagnose dyslexia or replace specialist literacy teaching. Our role is to identify and support developmental areas that may be relevant alongside the educational support your child is already receiving.

When reading and writing feel harder than they should

Many parents describe the same pattern: their child is bright, curious and capable, but reading and writing can feel like walking through mud. Progress is slow, confidence drops, and over time it can take more and more effort to stay engaged.

Sometimes dyslexia is part of the picture. Other factors can also add to the effort involved in literacy tasks — including attention load, visual tracking, coordination, regulation, fatigue and the stress that can build after repeated struggle.


Our role is to take a whole-child view, understand which areas may be relevant for your child, and support the developmental foundations that can sit alongside learning and literacy support.

Common signs and challenges

You don’t need to see every sign for your child to benefit from support.

Children with dyslexia and other reading and learning difficulties can experience different combinations of challenges.
  • slow, effortful reading
  • losing their place on a line or skipping words
  • difficulty sounding out unfamiliar words
  • reading fatigue or avoidance

Spelling and writing

  • spelling that doesn’t seem to “stick”, even with practice
  • messy, slow or very effortful writing
  • avoiding writing tasks or becoming overwhelmed during homework
  • difficulty organising ideas on paper

Reading

Learning and confidence

  • inconsistent performance — managing something one day but struggling with it the next
  • anxiety, frustration or shutdown around school tasks
  • negative comments about their own ability, such as “I’m dumb” or “I can’t do it”
  • strong verbal ability but greater difficulty getting ideas onto paper

If these experiences sound familiar, a Reflex Assessment can help us look at developmental areas that may be adding to the effort involved in learning, reading and writing.

How we approach support at BodyLink

BodyLink does not replace specialist literacy teaching, educational assessment or diagnosis.

Our role is to look at the wider developmental picture and support areas that may be adding to the effort involved in learning, reading and writing.

For many children with dyslexia or other literacy difficulties, there may also be challenges in areas such as:

  • attention and regulation challenges
  • coordination and motor planning difficulties
  • visual tracking and focus demands
  • sensory load and overwhelm
  • fatigue and low learning stamina

Depending on your child’s individual needs, support may include:


We keep the approach practical, individualised and child-friendly, with the aim of supporting the foundations around learning while your child continues to receive the literacy and educational support they need.

Sometimes the first changes are small — less dread around schoolwork, more willingness to have a go, or a calmer response when something feels difficult. Those everyday shifts matter.

Every child progresses differently, and change is not always immediate or linear. What we look for are meaningful shifts that make learning and everyday life feel more manageable.

Families may notice changes such as:

  • greater tolerance for reading and writing tasks
  • less frustration, avoidance or overwhelm around learning
  • improved learning stamina and attention
  • growing confidence and willingness to try
  • smoother homework and schoolwork routines



What you might notice over time

child in front of wall full of letters of the alphabet

After the Reflex Assessment, we’ll explain what we’ve identified, what may be relevant for your child, and what support we recommend from there.

What happens at the Reflex Assessment

The Reflex Assessment gives us a clearer picture of the developmental areas that may be adding to the effort involved in learning, reading and writing.

We’ll:

  • talk through what you’re noticing at home and what school has been reporting
  • explore relevant learning history and current challenges
  • look at developmental and reflex patterns that may be relevant
  • consider areas such as coordination, visual tracking, attention and regulation where appropriate
  • explain what we’re seeing in clear, everyday language
  • discuss recommendations and what the next steps may look like

How to get started

1

Book a Reflex Assessment

This gives us a starting point to look at the developmental and reflex patterns that may be relevant to your child’s learning, reading and writing challenges.

2

Come in for your assessment in Silverdale

We’ll talk through what you’ve been noticing, look at relevant developmental areas and keep the process calm, supportive and child-friendly.

3

Leave with clear next steps

We’ll explain what we’ve identified, what may be relevant for your child and what support we recommend from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do you diagnose dyslexia?

    No. We don’t diagnose. We provide non-invasive wellbeing support that can sit alongside educational assessments, tutoring, and school support.

  • Should we still see a specialist or get testing?

    If you’re considering formal identification or school accommodations, specialist assessment can be helpful. We can support your child alongside that process.

  • Is this tutoring?

    No. This is not a tutoring service. We focus on supporting underlying foundations that can affect learning, regulation, and capacity.

  • Can you work alongside school support?

    Yes. Many families use BodyLink support alongside what school is doing.

  • How long does support take?

    It varies depending on your child’s individual needs and the type of support recommended. 


    Following the Reflex Assessment, we’ll talk you through what a realistic timeframe may look like and review progress as we go.