Understanding Dyslexia and How to Help Kids

          Children learn to read at their own pace, but if your child is struggling to make significant progress as compared to his peers, it may be possible he has a reading disability called dyslexia. According to MayoClinic.org, “Dyslexia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how to relate to letters and words. Dyslexia affects areas of the brain that process language.”

            Symptoms of dyslexia may include:

• Speech delay, trouble learning words, problems forming words correctly or reversing sounds or words that sound alike. “The first signs were the inability to recognize numbers and letters,” says Stephanie Eubanks, Olathe mom of three. “We would practice, play games, do puzzles, etc., and she would not retain any of it.”
• Reading well below the expected level for age, difficulty with spelling, difficulty reading aloud. “My son was unable to read at all, not even sight words like ‘the’ and ‘and’ in first grade and beyond, even though we read it over and over,” says Heather Reighard, Kansas City, KS, teacher and mom of two. “He was unable to do spelling tests even though we practiced and practiced.”
• Trouble remembering sequences or identifying rhyming words, reversing letters or numbers. “My son couldn’t do sight words, wrote pretty much everything backwards and was not meeting classroom expectations,” says Suzanne Pretti, mother of three from Overland Park. “He had always loved to be read to, but began to absolutely hate books while in kindergarten. We had him tested and diagnosed early, and he was able to make improvements quickly.”
• Spending an unusually long time completing tasks that include reading and writing or avoiding these activities. “The common myth is that dyslexia is just turning letters around, but it’s so much more than that,” says Julie Lamb, mother of five. “My daughter was not seeing parts of sentences. Since she struggled with reading, it then had a huge domino effect on writing, math, etc.”

            People who struggle with dyslexia have normal intelligence and can succeed in school and careers with proper tutoring and support. So how do you go about helping your child succeed?

At school:

• Ask for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan. In most states, schools are required to provide specialized support for kids diagnosed with dyslexia. Talk to your child’s teachers about setting up a meeting with educators to help your child be successful at school. “Our son was given accommodations in the classroom, such as having things read to him and working with a special education teacher. He still struggles with writing, but we are so thankful for his progress,” says Pretti.
• Keep in contact with your child’s teacher. If parents and teachers work together, it is easier to support children through the challenges they may be facing when it comes to homework and school. Check in often with your child’s teachers regularly and encourage them to reach out if the interventions put in place don’t seem to be helping your child achieve adequate growth.
• In some cases, private schools or homeschools that specialize in dyslexia are a great option. “Teachers and special education professionals confided in me that they didn’t know how to help my son. They suggested homeschooling and it has been a game changer,” says Reighard

At home:

• Consider tutoring. Individual help from a tutor can really give your child a boost in reading skills because tutoring can be tailored to your child’s needs and learning style.
• Early intervention has been proven to help kids struggling with dyslexia. As soon as you notice a problem, talk to your child’s teachers and doctor.
• Encourage reading. Take turns reading aloud to your child, model good reading habits and add reading to everyday activities (cooking, games or instructions). Turn off electronics and add more reading time to your day.

Be supportive:

• Encourage effort and be supportive of children as they work through challenges.
• Talk to them about what they are struggling with and discuss ideas that will help solve problems they may be facing.
• Join a support group or see a counselor. Having people around you that understand what you are going through and offer support can be a big help as you learn how to support your child.
• Support learning at home. Provide a clean, organized and quiet place to study and offer help as needed.         

If you think your child may have dyslexia, talk to your doctor about testing, resources and support. There is no single test that can determine whether your child has dyslexia. Your doctor may use a combination of questionnaires, medical history, psychological evaluations and academic testing to determine whether your child has dyslexia. Early intervention and a good partnership between parents and teachers are key to helping kids feel confident and successful in school and in future careers.

School Accommodations to Ask For

            Children with dyslexia learn differently, and accommodations can be made in a classroom setting that can provide tools kids need to be more successful. Here are some accommodations to ask for at school that may be helpful for your child:

• Extra time for testing.
• Not required to read aloud in class.
• Oral rather than written tests.
• Option to use audiobooks for reading assignments.
• Break down instructions step by step.
• Regular check-ins with teachers and support staff.
• Sit closer to teacher in classroom.
• Ability to use apps and computer programs for learning.
• No penalization for spelling errors on work.
• Modified spelling lists.
• Ability to record lectures.

Source:

MayoClinic.org/diseases-conditions/dyslexia/symptoms-causes/syc-20353552

Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer who lives in Olathe with her family.

As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.