First published: 30 January 2023 @ 6:00 pm
Dyslexia is a common learning disability that can make it difficult for children to read and write. Generally, children with dyslexia have difficulty reading accurately and fluently.
Signs of dyslexia involve reading difficulty due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to written words.
However, dyslexia is not a disease and there is no cure for it but it can be managed with the right support, especially from parents and family.
Although it can be challenging, there are many ways to help children with dyslexia succeed in school and in life.
With the right strategies and support, children with dyslexia can learn and have the ability to read and write at the same level as their peers.
This article provides tips on how to help your child with dyslexia learn to read more effectively. It includes information on how to identify dyslexia, how to help your child develop reading skills, and how to provide support during reading activities.
What Should You Do to Help Your Children with Dyslexia?
Dyslexia can impact any area of reading, including word recognition, fluency, and comprehension.
If you are a parent who has dyslexia, be sure to read this article carefully and take the necessary steps to help your child improve his or her reading skills.
1. Identify and Understand the Signs of Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a disability that affects the learning process, including reading skills. It is characterized by difficulties with phonemic awareness, phonology, and word decoding.
Dyslexia may also impact spelling, writing, and speaking. Most children with dyslexia will have difficulty with one or more of these skills.
However, dyslexia can vary in severity, so some children may have more difficulty than others.
The first step in helping a child with dyslexia is to identify the signs. If you think your child may be dyslexic, talk to their doctor or an educational specialist. They can administer tests to determine if dyslexia is the cause of your child’s difficulties.
Once dyslexia is diagnosed, there are a number of ways to help children with these learning difficulties.
With the right support in place, children with dyslexia can reach their full potential at school and in everyday life.
2. Teach Basic Reading Skills to Children with Dyslexia
One of the most important steps that parents can take to help their dyslexic children learn to read more effectively is to teach them the basics of reading. This includes teaching them how to read words correctly, how to decode text, and how to read aloud.
One way to help your child learn how to read is to have him or her practice decoding words. Decoding is the process of breaking down a word into its individual letters.
You can help your child practice decoding by having him or her look at a word and say each letter aloud. You can also have them try decoding words using flashcards or a quiz app.
Another way to help your child learn how to read is to have him or her practice reading aloud. Reading aloud helps children learn how to fluently and accurately read the text through their favorite books, flashcards, or anything else.
The key is to find what works for your child and help them to use those strategies on a daily basis. With the right support, dyslexic children can overcome the challenges of the condition and lead successful lives.
3. Provide Extra Time for Assignments
There are a number of things that you can do to help children with dyslexia. One of the most important is to provide extra time for assignments.
This will give them the opportunity to process information more slowly and to make sure that they understand what they are reading. Additionally, it is important to use a variety of materials when teaching children with dyslexia.
This can include books on tape, books with large print, and computers with dyslexia-friendly software. You can also use a multisensory approach to teaching, which incorporates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning
4. Utilize Assistive technology
There is a wide range of assistive technology (AT) products available that can help children with dyslexia.
Some of the most popular AT products include text-to-speech software, which can read text aloud; mind mapping software, which can help with organization and brainstorming; and speech-to-text software, which can help with writing.
Many AT products are available for free or at a low cost, and there are also a number of AT grants available that can help offset the cost of more expensive products.
If you think AT might be helpful for your child, talk to your child’s teacher or a school administrator about what AT products are available and how to get them.
In addition, there are also several reading programs for a child with dyslexia, including:
a. The Orton-Gillingham Approach is specifically for people with dyslexia.
b. The Wilson Reading System is for children from kindergarten to third grade and one for fourth grade and up.
c. The Lexia-Herman Method is for early reading, primary reading, and older students.
Through these resources, children or students with dyslexia will have more learning strategies to improve their phonological processing.
5. Offer Support and Understanding
Dyslexia occurs in individuals who have normal intelligence and normal vision. Dyslexic children just have learning difficulties and It is absolutely not a result of laziness or poor motivation.
As a parent, it can be difficult to see your child struggling with reading. It is important to offer support and understanding.
Help your child find ways to cope with dyslexia and make the most of their strengths.
Therefore, If you are able, you can help your child with their homework by explaining the concepts being taught in school, helping them with math and science homework, and providing them with support during writing assignments.
So, it is important to create a positive and supportive learning environment. This means making accommodations and modifications as needed and encouraging a growth mindset for a better learning process.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, there are a number of things that parents and caregivers can do to help children with dyslexia.
These include providing support and encouragement, being patient, and helping them to find alternative ways to learn.
There are also a number of resources available to help children with dyslexia, so parents and caregivers should not hesitate to seek out help if they need it.
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FAQs
How common are dyslexic children to occur?
Dyslexia is one of the most common learning disabilities. It occurs in about 13-14% of the school population nationwide qualifies for special education due to dyslexia.
What is the main cause of dyslexia?
Its exact cause is unclear, but generally, it is a result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
What therapy is best for a dyslexic child?
Dyslexia is best treated using specific educational approaches and techniques, such as finding approaches and interventions that meet a dyslexic person’s needs
What tools help students with dyslexia?
Several tools help students with dyslexia, including Learning Ally, Natural Reader, or Dyslexia Quest.
What activities at home for helping kids with dyslexia?
There are several activities that can help kids with dyslexia learn better at home, such as playing memory and snap games.
