What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability. This means it affects the abilities a person uses for learning, such as reading and writing. Particularly, dyslexia makes it difficult to match letters with the sounds of individual letters and combinations of letters. It’s not a vision disorder.
According to Shawna Newman, MD, a psychiatrist at Lenox Hill Hospital, approximately 10% to 15% of children have dyslexia. She adds that the condition is common and often undiagnosed, so the rates are likely even higher.
Usually, dyslexia is diagnosed when formal reading education begins. This typically occurs in the first grade, at about 6 years old.
Since dyslexia is not a disease, there’s no cure. But it’s possible to manage the condition with strategies that can be used throughout life.
If you have a child with dyslexia, you can play a major role in managing their condition. Here’s how you can help a child with dyslexia when they’re outside of school.
How to help a child with dyslexia at home.
There are many things you can do to support your kid with dyslexia at home.
Read together
Read with your child every day. The activity will promote closeness and bonding, which will support your child’s ability to learn over time.
“This shared experience in learning encourages development and growth in tandem with improved reading skills,” Newman explains. It will also help children create a sense of security in learning while encouraging their own independent reading, she adds.
Focus on sight words
Sight words are words that are frequently used in writing and books. They’re called sight words because recognizing them on sight is essential for developing reading skills.
Examples include:
is
been
the
are
could
For children with dyslexia, sight words can be difficult to recognize. But since the words appear so often, it’s important for them to learn these words.
As Newman explains, children can use sight words as building blocks to improve their fluency in reading. That’s why it’s essential to add sight words into your children’s learning program.
Repeat, repeat, repeat
Repeating and reviewing skills can help a child with dyslexia. This is often done in the form of repeated reading.
According to LD Online, repeated reading is a technique for children who have difficulty reading. It involves reading the same passage multiple times to improve reading fluency.
In a 2016 studyTrusted Source, repeated reading increased reading fluency in children with reading disabilities. Similarly, a 2021 studyTrusted Source found that repeated reading with music has a positive effect.
Create a nurturing space to study
“Providing a comfortable, supportive, and nonjudgmental atmosphere is most helpful for learning, especially for children with learning disorders,” Newman explains. This includes those who have dyslexia.
For parents and caregivers, this also involves practicing patience, as all children learn at their own pace, Newman says. In doing so, you’ll create an environment that allows your child to learn in a way that works best for them.
Create a calendar to help them track progress or tasks
Visual tools, such as a calendar, are an excellent option for tracking a child’s progress and tasks. According to Newman, this can help put both improvements and challenges into context. It can ultimately help them engage with their own learning.
“Utilizing a calendar provides visual clues, which can inform the child how to think about the process of their own learning,” Newman explains. This can be done by displaying tasks and activities related to learning on the calendar.
As Newman notes, when small learning achievements are visually expressed on a calendar, it can provide encouragement and celebration. Similarly, when difficulties are presented visually, it can help a child better understand what they need to work on.
Make sure they get enough sleep
“Sleep is a vital [factor] for healthy development and learning,” Newman says. However, “children with dyslexia are at a higher risk for sleep disorders.” Examples include sleep latencyor sleep apnea.
But according to Newman, poor sleep can negatively affect learning processes. So it’s important to ensure they get enough rest.
This may be done by:
establishing a sleep schedule
creating an ideal environment for sleep
limiting social media and electronics before bed
developing a sleep routine
The ideal amount of sleep depends on the child’s age. According to Newman, children between 5 and 13 years old should get 9 to 12 hours of sleep every 24 hours. Teenagers between 13 and 18 years old need at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep.
Praise their success and effort
As Newman explains, reading difficulties caused by dyslexia can negatively affect a child’s confidence. For example, “a child’s sense of not measuring up to their peers [and being able] to perform as expected can be discouraging,” she says.
On the other hand, encouragement and praise can have a positive effect on your child’s learning. So instead of focusing on their struggles, call out their successes and effort whenever possible. Celebrate their achievements, no matter how small.
By highlighting positive aspects, you can encourage your child to keep moving forward. This will also boost your child’s confidence in their own learning.
Use mnemonic devices
A mnemonic device is a technique that helps you remember a piece of information. It’s also called a memory aid.
Examples include:
spelling words in the form of songs
letter or word imagery (like a letter “d” that looks like a dog)
acronyms
rhymes
According to a 2017 research review, mnemonic devices can enhance memory in children with dyslexia. It can also improve problem-solving skills and reasoning. Using mnemonic devices at home can help enhance their learning progress.
Find a tutor
During your child’s summer break, consider getting them a tutor. According to the International Dyslexia Association, this can help them catch up on certain skills and get ready for the next school year.
If possible, select a tutor who will communicate with your child’s teachers. This will ensure they are focusing on your child’s specific needs.
There are several reading programs for children with dyslexia. Some of the most successful ones include:
Orton-Gillingham Approach: The Orton-Gillingham Approach is a widely used approach created specifically for people with dyslexia.
Wilson Reading System: The Wilson Reading System includes one program for children from kindergarten to third grade and one for fourth grade and up.
Lexia-Herman Method: The Lexia-Herman Method has programs for early reading, primary reading, and older students.