Do you have a child with dyslexia? Want to learn more about this learning disorder? Looking for tips on how to make homework less of a struggle? We can help!
Does your child seem to be having trouble learning to read? Have they been lagging behind for some time? You may want to discuss your concerns with your child’s teacher first, as they may have valuable insights. You can also look out for certain signs commonly associated with dyslexia:
- Your child has difficulty associating speech sounds with letters
- They invert or confuse certain letters, syllables, or words (e.g., b/d, s/f)
- They tend to omit or displace word sounds
- They have difficulty reading words with unexpected spellings (e.g., zucchini, autumn, asthma)
- Their reading is slow and laboured
- Etc.
When it comes to reading and writing delays, early intervention is key. Your child’s teacher can introduce you to the various specialized services offered at the school.
You don’t need an official diagnosis to get help and establish an individualized education plan with your child’s school. However, it is worth considering, as it allows you to better understand your child’s needs and find ways to help.
Dyslexia is a neurological learning disorder characterized by difficulties in recognizing written words. It is often associated with a writing disorder called dysorthography. There are three common categories of dyslexia:
- Phonological dyslexia: Difficulty decoding speech sounds and associating them with the right letters
- Surface dyslexia: Difficulty memorizing words and reading unusual words (slow reading)
- Double deficit dyslexia: Difficulty decoding speech sounds AND recognizing whole written words
Children with dyslexia often have to work much harder at school and tend to experience greater cognitive fatigue. As a result, doing homework is often that much more difficult. Here are some effective strategies to make their after-school work easier:
- Read the instructions aloud
- Take turns reading
- Explain any words your child doesn’t understand
- Ask questions to make sure they know what to do
- Rephrase any sentences or paragraphs they don’t understand
- Give them extra time to complete tasks
- Watch for signs of fatigue
- Take short breaks
- Eliminate sources of distraction (e.g., television, music)
- Etc.
In most cases, with time and proper support, children with dyslexia gradually learn to read. However, writing will always be a bit of a challenge for them. Fortunately, with timely support and assistive technology, your child can make huge improvements.
To this day, the causes of dyslexia are still largely unknown. One thing is certain: it has nothing to do with intelligence. But it does affect how information gets processed by the brain. To encourage your child and give them confidence in their abilities, tell them about dyslexic historical figures or celebrities:
- Thomas Edison
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Walt Disney
- Whoopi Goldberg
- Etc.
To find out more about learning disorders, read our articles on the subject or visit the Institut des troubles d’apprentissage website (French only).
To help your child understand the importance of reading, all while having fun, suggest a few activities. Here are some examples:
- Play word games (e.g., Scrabble, Hangman)
- Read aloud to each other
- Find books that suit your child’s abilities
- Read recipes out loud as you cook together
- Listen to audio books
When you encourage your child to play and participate in their games, you help them learn! To find out more on how to kindle your child’s love of learning, read our article entitled Give your child a taste for learning.
Rewriting : The Alloprof Parents' team and the Institut TA
Zesiger, Pascal (2004). Presse universitaire de France. Neuropsychologie comportementale et dyslexie. Vol.56.pp. 237 à 243.