As a parent, you want your child to be successful in school. But what if your child has dyslexia? Dyslexia can make learning difficult, but with the right approach and support, your child can still thrive. Here are some tips to help your dyslexic child succeed in school.
Understand What Dyslexia Is
The first step to helping your dyslexic child succeed is understanding what dyslexia is and how it affects learning. Dyslexia is a neurological condition that makes it difficult for a person to read, write, and spell. It usually leads to trouble with decoding words, reading fluency, and general comprehension of written material. Understanding this can help you better identify which areas are causing difficulty for your child so you can better assist them.
Identify Learning Strategies That Will Help
Once you understand how dyslexia affects learning, it’s important to find out which strategies work best for your individual child. Working with teachers and tutors can help identify the best strategies for success in the classroom. Some strategies may include breaking down complex tasks into smaller chunks or using audio-visual aids such as videos or computer programs that make reading easier. It may also be helpful to allow extra time on tests or provide alternate methods of assessment such as oral exams or projects instead of written tests or essays. You may want to even consider enrolling your child in a school that knows how to help children with dyslexia. Look into dyslexic reading tuition if you think this would be a good option for your child.
Encourage Your Child
Above all else, it’s important to encourage your child no matter what challenges they face while learning. Recognize their accomplishments—even small ones—and let them know that having dyslexia doesn’t mean they can’t achieve their goals. Believing in their abilities will give them the confidence they need to succeed despite any difficulties they face due to their disability.
Supporting a child with dyslexia in school isn't always easy but it's certainly possible. By taking the time to understand what dyslexia is and working together with teachers and tutors on finding strategies that work for your individual child, you can ensure that your dyslexic child succeeds despite any obstacles they may encounter along the way. With patience, understanding, and encouragement from parents like you, these children have every opportunity available to reach their full potential.
1 Comment
This is such an encouraging and practical guide for parents! As a teacher, I especially appreciate your emphasis on finding what works for each unique child—whether it’s audiovisual tools, breaking tasks into smaller steps, or celebrating small wins. Your point about confidence being just as important as strategies is so true. One tip I’d add: tap into their interests (like letting a dinosaur-loving child practice reading with dinosaur facts) to make learning feel joyful. Thank you for sharing this empowering perspective!