The degree and type of support each student requires depends on the degree of dyslexia, the support offered by the school, and the parent’s resources.
We can help our dyslexic students by equipping them with both physical tools and guidance on how to request aid.
Creating an environment of routine and self-advocacy allows students to develop successful strategies and feel empowered to search out needed resources.
Dyslexic children face a myriad of challenges in their academic journey, from struggling with reading and writing assignments to difficulty following instructions and managing organizational tasks. These challenges can significantly impact their educational experience. The degree of support required varies based on factors such as the severity of dyslexia, the support offered by the school, and the parent’s resources in terms of time and finances. This article aims to provide practical advice for parents to support their dyslexic child in overcoming these hurdles and succeeding academically.
Reading and Writing
Dyslexic students often possess the intelligence and understanding expected at their grade level but struggle to read and write at that same level. This discrepancy makes it difficult for them to engage with reading materials and articulate their ideas through writing.
What you can do to support your child
As a parent of a child at school: Ensure your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that outlines specific accommodations for their needs, and regularly check that the accommodations, such as extra time for assignments or the use of assistive technology, are tailored to your child’s specific needs and are being implemented effectively in the classroom.
“To improve outcomes for children, it is important to provide timely and effective interventions.”
Prabal Barua et al., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
As a parent of a child being homeschooled: Choose curriculum that minimizes reliance on reading and writing and incorporates more tactile and visual elements into daily lessons; Adapt assignments to be completed verbally, graphically, or through other non-written formats.
For all parents: Purchase text-to-speech software to help with reading assignments and teach your child to use speech-to-text functions available in word processing software; Consider investing in a C-pen, a handheld device that scans and reads out text from physical documents, or train your student to use apps, such as Speechify, that can be downloaded on a phone, take a picture of written text, and read it out loud; We are training our children to be independent thinkers and learners. Encouraging your child to advocate for themselves helps them to consider the difficulties they might face completing a task, gain confidence approaching others and learn to be open about their needs. You can help your student by practicing how to outline their needs to others, directing them to the correct person to approach, and being clear about what would help them to succeed, for example; requesting to submit assignments in alternative formats when necessary; Make sure that your child is receiving targeted, tailored, tutoring for his/her dyslexia, such as Orton Gillingham tutoring.
Adaptations to Suit the Student’s Situation: If buying a reader is not financially feasible, consider reading assignments aloud to your child; Many of my student’s parents have told me that their school will not diagnose a reading or writing difficulty or mention ‘dyslexia’ in their IEP. If the school lacks resources to diagnose dyslexia, seek a private diagnosis from a qualified psychologist to ensure your child receives the necessary support. You can then take this to your child’s IEP meeting and ask how support will be offered to meet these needs.
Researchers, writing in the International Journal of Public Health have identified a shortfall in the number and type of assistive technology used in education to support the specific needs of dyslexics. The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity states that roughly 20% of students have some degree of dyslexia. These two factors combine to leave dyslexics under-supported in the classroom. It is important that we encourage our students to request the help that they need and that we, as parents, follow up that support is being offered.
Courtesy of: Prabal Barua et al., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Following Instructions
Following Instructions
Dyslexic students often have difficulty recording assignment instructions and deadlines accurately. Their whole-picture mindset, while a strength, can also lead to challenges in focusing on specific details and following step-by-step instructions.
What you can do to support your child
As a parent of a child at school: Provide your child with scheduling apps or a paper planner to help them keep track of assignments and deadlines; Encourage your child to repeat instructions back to the teacher to ensure they have understood correctly; Regularly check in with your child at the end of the school day to review their assignments and clarify any misunderstandings.
As a parent of a child being homeschooled: Provide your child with an app or planner so that they can record their assignments; Train your child to consistently record assignments and schedule tasks; Have your child repeat instructions back to you and explain their plan for completing tasks; Help your child stay focused on tasks by regularly referring back to the instructions and ensuring their work aligns with the assignment requirements.
For all parents: Give instructions one step at a time, issuing the next step only after the previous one is completed; Teach your child to break down tasks into manageable steps and check off each step as they are completed.
Adaptations to Suit the Student’s Situation: If scheduling software is too expensive, use paper-based alternatives such as free printable planners available online; If your student has other special needs that prevent him/her from recording and scheduling tasks, consider having them dictate their ideas and record it for them.
Organizational Issues
Dyslexic students often come to class unprepared, lacking necessary materials such as textbooks and writing supplies. Difficulties with storing and retrieving information leads to poor memory function.
“I have found that difficulty with memory – both short-term and long-term – is one of the most emotionally painful aspects of dyslexia.”
Robert Frank PhD, The Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child
What you can do to support your child
As a parent of a child at school: Create a checklist of items needed for school each day; Encourage your child to pack their bag the night before school, ensuring all necessary materials and assignments are included; Train your child to update their planner or scheduling app immediately whenever there is a change to their schedule.
As a parent of a child being homeschooled: Maintain regular routines for waking up, doing assignments, and going to bed; Establish a consistent schedule for classes to help your child manage their time and materials more effectively; Create a system for taking notes and storing school work that the child uses frequently and can contribute to themselves.
For all parents: Provide a distraction-free space for homework and assignments, where materials are kept in a consistent location; When establishing routines, consider tacking a new routine onto an existing habit for greater success. Consider purchasing a perpetual calendar so that your child can see the repetition of the months and events throughout the year.
Adaptations to Suit the Student’s Situation: As your child grows older and more independent, gradually transfer the responsibility of scheduling and organization to them. Support this transition by maintaining regular routines and teaching them how to effectively use organizational tools.
Final thoughts…
There is a lot we, as parents, can do to support our dyslexic children in their academic work. Introducing and maintaining routines, encouraging self-advocacy, and providing supportive technology are only part of the answer. Being your child’s greatest cheerleader counts for a lot. Giving time to your child as they unload about the stresses of the day, advising about ways to speak to friends and teachers about their learning difficulties, and celebrating the breakthroughs are the moments that they will remember and will help to bolster the self-confidence they need to overcome dyslexia and thrive academically.
About the Author
Tracey has worked in education for over 30 years. After finishing a degree in Aeromechanical Engineering, Tracey completed her Certificate in Education and specialist training as an Orton Gillingham tutor. She has worked in public schools, private schools, online schools, and as a homeschool mom. Tracey specializes in teaching math, science, SAT prep, and the Orton Gillingham method to dyslexic students. Her passion is to teach the necessary academic subjects in a way that all students, regardless of special needs, can access the materials, in a fun and engaging way.
Gibeon Education 