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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!
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