To know the family background of children with reading and writing difficulties, the study was conducted in Dharwad city. Children studying in 6th standard were drawn from 14 schools. Total sample of 418 children were screened based on the child’s previous academic performance of the class tests and teacher’s rating. They were further tested and identified as difficult children (180 in reading and 114 in writing) using reading and writing tests (Kannada).  Normal children (165 in reading and 114 in writing) were also selected for comparison purpose.  Further these children were assessed to know their family background. Findings revealed that, highest percentage (55%) of children with reading difficulties were found among age group of 12 years followed by 13 and 11 years. Male children were found to have more difficulties in reading as compared to female children.  The ordinal position with 3 and above had more problems than others. It is also interesting to find that the first born (42%) showed fewer problems than second born children. Majority of parents of children with reading difficulties had lowest education level (primary). Highest percentage fathers (57%) of children with difficulties were labourers, and had small business when compared to fathers of normal children. Children whose mother tongue and medium of instruction are different found to have more difficulties in reading as compared to children having similar mother tongue and medium of instruction in school.  At home, majority of reading children with difficulties (80%) studied on their own, without any support from the family members. Only 39% of parents take care of their children’s studies as against 60% in case of normal children.