top of page
Writer's pictureBernadette Haigh

Has Your Child Been Diagnosed with Dyslexia? Here's How to Best Support Them: A Comprehensive Guide


Mother and daughter making a love heart with their hands

‍Having a child diagnosed with Dyslexia can be overwhelming and confusing for parents. The great news is your child will achieve their full potential and lead a fulfilling life with the right support. Which leads us to one of the most common questions I am asked;


How do I support my child diagnosed with Dyslexia?


There are countless ways for you to support and empower a recently diagnosed child including:


  • Embracing strengths and dispelling misconceptions

  • Fostering confidence and a growth mindset

  • Connecting with professionals and engaging in supportive communities

  • Advocating for accommodations, and fostering partnerships with educators

  • Implementing practical strategies

  • Exploring evidence-based approaches

  • and much more 


This guide will provide practical strategies, resources, and insights to help your child thrive academically and emotionally. By understanding Dyslexia, seeking the proper support, and fostering a positive environment, you can make a significant difference in your child's journey.


Understanding Dyslexia


Dyslexia is a specific learning difference that impacts how our children process language, specifically phonics. It is important to dispel misconceptions and understand that Dyslexia does not reflect intelligence or effort. Individuals with Dyslexia often possess unique strengths in creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking, to name a few. Understanding and embracing these strengths can boost your child's confidence and self-esteem.


The Diagnosis: What to Do Next

Upon receiving a dyslexia diagnosis, it is natural to experience a mix of emotions. Take a moment to acknowledge and process your feelings; the more confident you feel, the more held your child will feel. Once you are ready, take proactive steps to support your child. Here are some fundamental actions you can take:

Educate Yourself

Become familiar with Dyslexia by seeking reliable resources, such as books and reputable websites. Be conscious of the language used to describe Dyslexia and its impact. There should be a balance of challenges and strengths. 


Other valuable support resources outside of Daring Dyslexic: 


Communicate with Professionals

If it wasn't already provided, reach out to the professionals who diagnosed your child to understand their specific dyslexia profile better. Asking, how you can support your child's dyslexia diagnosis based on their profile may also provide further insight. This will help you tailor your support strategies to their unique needs. Engaging with a multi-sensory structured language (MSL) tutor to support your child's learning could benefit your child greatly. 


Connect with Supportive Communities

Joining support groups or online communities such as Daring Dyslexic, full of parents of dyslexic children, will provide you with a network of empathetic individuals who can share their experiences, offer advice, and provide emotional support. Remember, you are not alone in this journey.


Collaborate with School

Schedule a meeting with your child's teachers and school staff to discuss the dyslexia diagnosis and develop an individualized education plan (IEP). These plans outline specific accommodations and support your child needs to succeed in the classroom. You can find further information and specific questions to ask in my Advocate for your Child post here. 



How to Support Your Child at Home

While schools play a crucial role in supporting children with Dyslexia, parents play an equally important role in creating a supportive environment at home. Here are practical strategies to implement at home:

Encourage a Growth Mindset

It's not uncommon for children with Dyslexia to develop a fixed mindset and a resistance to learning. You can help your child develop a growth mindset by emphasizing that their abilities will grow with time, effort and perseverance. Read more about fostering a growth mindset strategies for dyslexic children here. 

Foster a Love for Reading

Despite their challenges with reading, you can still cultivate a love for books and reading in your child. Make reading a more enjoyable activity by providing a variety of books that cater to their interests and reading level. Regardless of their age, you can still read together or listen to audiobooks as an alternative to traditional reading.

Break Tasks into Manageable Steps

Support your child in breaking down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. This approach helps reduce overwhelm and builds confidence and self-trust as they accomplish each step.

Use Multi-sensory Techniques

Utilise multi-sensory techniques to enhance learning. For example, incorporate visual aids, tactile materials, and auditory cues into study sessions. This approach engages multiple senses, reinforcing learning and memory retention.

Establish Routines and Structure

Create a structured environment with consistent routines to give your child a sense of predictability and stability. Clear expectations and established routines can help reduce anxiety and improve focus.


Celebrate Effort

Acknowledge and celebrate your child's effort, no matter the result or outcome. Positive reinforcement and encouragement go a long way in boosting their self-esteem and motivation.


Advocate for Accommodations

Understand your child's rights and advocate for necessary accommodations within their school system. These accommodations may include extra time for exams, the use of assistive technology, or access to learning support specialists.


Additional Support and Resources


In addition to the strategies outlined above, there are various resources and interventions available to support your child with Dyslexia. Here are some additional avenues to explore:


Orton-Gillingham Approach

Consider seeking out tutors or programs that utilize the Orton-Gillingham approach. This evidence-based method focuses on teaching phonics, decoding skills, and reading comprehension strategies tailored to individuals with Dyslexia.


Assistive Technology

Explore using assistive technology tools such as text-to-speech software, speech recognition software, and dyslexia-friendly fonts. These tools can provide additional support and accessibility for reading and writing tasks.


Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy can help improve fine motor skills, handwriting, and coordination, which can benefit children with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia and ADHD. Consult with a professional to determine if occupational therapy would benefit your child.


Speech-Language Therapy

Speech-language therapy can address specific language difficulties related to Dyslexia, such as phonological awareness and auditory processing skills. Consult with a speech-language pathologist to explore this option.


Create Space For Fun

Ensuring your child has time for what they enjoy is imperative to their emotional and psychological well-being. 


Conclusion


Behind the success of every child with Dyslexia is an empowered parent doing their best to support their child. That's you! You're already asking the right question - How do I support my child diagnosed with Dyslexia? Honor yourself as much as your child throughout this journey.


I understand how much patience, understanding, and commitment this requires. But by educating yourself, collaborating with professionals, fostering a positive home environment, and utilising available resources you will empower your child. 


Please remember, Dyslexia is not a barrier to success but a different way of processing language. Your child can achieve their full potential and lead a fulfilling life with the right support.


You've got this! 


Join the Daring Dyslexic Community


Subscribe to receive my Weekly One email. Each week, you'll receive one practical, step-by-step action to shift the dial on your child's mindset, confidence, and self-esteem. It's completely free and 100% actionable. 



Join The Daring Dyslexic Community

Subscribe to receive my Weekly One email. Each week, you'll receive one practical, step-by-step action to shift the dial on your child's mindset, confidence, and self-esteem. It's completely free and 100% actionable. 

Thanks for Joining Us!

Please select relevant category:

Written by Bernadette Haigh
Bernadette Haigh is the Founder of Daring Dyslexic and host of the Doing Dyslexia Differently Podcast. She is on a mission to redefine what it means to grow up with dyslexia. Bernadette offers a fresh and unique perspective by focusing on mindset, confidence, and self-esteem – areas she knows all too well impact a person's potential long after conquering their academic challenges. You can find Bernadette on Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube and her podcast on Spotify, and other great players.

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Spotify
bottom of page