As a parent, it’s natural to have concerns and worries about your children at some point. For those with kids who have a learning disability like dyslexia, there can be added concerns when it comes to supporting your child’s development, independence, and communication.
It’s estimated that 15% of the US population have dyslexia, which is a learning disorder that makes it difficult to read due to problems identifying speech sounds and understanding how they link to words and letters. If your child falls into this category, here are some of the best ways you can support them to manage the disorder and get the most out of life.
Enroll Them in The Right School
Finding a suitable school for your dyslexic child isn’t easy, but it is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. To begin, you need to identify the support your child requires. They may need a smaller class size or additional support outside of lessons. The de Paul School, for instance, focuses on teaching bright students with learning differences how to learn and be independent. They understand all different kinds of learning disabilities, like dyslexia.
Use Technology
Regarding your child’s progress, technology has come in leaps and bounds over the years. When your kids aren’t in the classroom, that doesn’t mean the learning stops there. At home, your child can use a smartphone, laptop, or tablet, which has a variety of helpful tools that can transform how your kids learn. If there is one tip we cannot stress enough, it’s to invest in these devices.
Keep Schoolwork Organized
If your child has dyslexia, they may face great difficulty staying organized. Therefore, breaking big tasks into smaller ones can help your child massively. Once you’ve done this, work together on a system to monitor their schoolwork. Kids can benefit from using different-colored folders for class notes, or a big calendar to keep track of homework due dates. If your child is older, they can set alarms and reminders on their smartphone.
Encourage Reading
There are all sorts of ways you can support your kids’ reading. This includes listening to audiobooks and having your children read along with them or ensuring they’re spending some time reading alone, both aloud and quietly. You can purchase decodable books that are full of familiar single and closed syllable words that make decoding easier for your kids. We’re aware of the major health benefits linked to reading, such as exercising the brain and improving concentration, so if there is one thing you can do today, it’s to encourage more reading.
Help Them Build a Positive Self-Image
In the past, dyslexia was not well understood. Unfortunately, kids were unfairly labeled as being stupid, lazy, thick, or not trying hard enough. However, none of this is true. Dyslexic kids can have good and bad days, which can eat away at their confidence. It’s your job as their parent to help them build more self-esteem and be proud of their strengths and achievements.
All parents want their children to flourish academically and have every opportunity to reach their maximum potential. If your child has dyslexia, with the right support and guidance, they can learn to read and do incredibly well in school.