Your child has just been diagnosed with dyslexia, now what? At this point many parents start the worrying process with a series of what ifs…

What if my child falls behind? Or can’t learn to read? What if my child has to struggle their entire life?

And while these worries are perfectly understandable, they aren’t particularly helpful to your child.

What Is Helpful?  

Understand that your child can and will learn to read, it just might take them more time. Know that dyslexia does not impact intelligence, and that your child has both strengths and weaknesses when it comes to learning, just like everyone else.

Be prepared and know that yes, your child will struggle, but as a parent you have an opportunity to help your child learn to deal with their dyslexia and inspire confidence in them as they learn to manage their unique learning style.  

When it comes to dyslexia, there are proven accommodations and teaching strategies that can help. Learn what you can do to help your child learn and grow.

You want to become actively involved to ensure your child gets the support they need. This will set them on the path to future success.

 

My Child Was Diagnosed With Dyslexia: What Parents Can Do

 

Educate Yourself :

Understanding what dyslexia is and how a dyslexic brain works is key to ensuring your child gets the best possible help. Once your child is diagnosed with dyslexia, you’ll want to know what treatment and therapy options are out there.

This might include working with a speech-language pathologist or a reading specialist.  Some resources to check out:

 

School Support Services:

Schedule a meeting with your child’s school to talk about any support and/or services they have in place that might assist your child.

Bring a copy of any reports from specialists or doctors you have to help build an IEP (individualized education program) or a 504 plan (learning blueprint).

Contact PTI:

Get in touch with your local Parent Training and Information Center (PTI). You might have questions about how to navigate the educational system, or where to go to find medical, legal, or other assistance for your child.

Every state has at least one PTI Center whose main goal is to provide free information to parents with children managing all types of disabilities, including dyslexia. To locate the PTI closest to you, check out the Center for Parent Information and Resources website for a state-by-state listing of PTIs. 

Homeschooling Resources:

If you homeschool your kids, educate yourself on special teaching techniques designed to help dyslexic learners. One website to check out:

 

Talk To Your Child:

Explain what dyslexia is and isn’t. Help your child understand how dyslexia might affect them in learning and teach them ways to ask for help when they need it.

Dyslexia can make schoolwork very frustrating. As a result, children with learning disabilities can be more prone to anxiety and depression than other students.

Pay close attention to your child’s behavior and moods. Talk to your doctor or therapist if you have any concerns.  

child diagnosed with dyslexia

 

Notice Success:

It’s easy to become fixated on your child’s deficits in reading to the point you don’t notice when they are excelling in other areas. If they are good artists, athletes, or speakers, help build their confidence by calling them out on their strengths!  

Also, when it comes to reading/writing…don’t wait for a grade or test score to offer positive feedback.  Celebrate every new accomplishment as it happens.  

Your kids are going to be hard enough on themselves, don’t spare the praise!

Did your child learn to read some new words? Do they self-correct when making a mistake? Are they picking up a book to read on their own? Praise each little step in the process.

Learning to read with dyslexia is challenging. Kids need positive reinforcement every step of the way.

Read Aloud:

This is a fun way to help struggling learners and get in a little quality bonding time to boot.

Hearing someone else read helps your kids understand language, and it allows them to practice comprehension without fighting to decipher the letters and words in the text.

Related: Best Children’s Books To Boost Self Confidence 

Reading aloud also allows your child to focus on the meaning of words and sentences, which improves vocabulary and imagination.

Set Realistic Goals:

Expecting your child to read at grade-level overnight is going to lead to disappointment for both you and them. A better way to approach the journey to becoming an “at-level” reader, is by setting some very short-term doable goals.

Things like practicing reading or spelling for 15 minutes every night, finish reading a leveled book by the end of the week (leveled books are books your child can read by themselves with little to no help).

Make a chart or countdown calendar and mark off each day until a child reaches a goal.

Then celebrate! Your child will learn that they are completely capable of reaching a goal, which boosts their confidence in the learning process.

Partner With Their Teacher:

Work together with your child’s teacher to develop a learning plan, and let your child see this partnership in action! Kids feel empowered and supported when they see parents and teachers collaborating to help them.

Don’t always talk to the teacher without your child there, let them be involved in their education and know where they stand academically. The fact that you are working together to help your child succeed shouldn’t be a secret.

MORE: Recognizing The Signs Of Dyslexia In Children

 

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