How to Talk to Your Child About Dyslexia

Dyslexia Resources Are Crucial. So Is Finding the Right Words to Discuss It.

As you seek out effective resources to help your child with dyslexia, you may recognize that you’re still missing an important part of the puzzle: how to communicate with your child about their needs and what you’ll do to help.

Although you’ve always been willing to help your child through any challenge, you might not feel prepared to talk to your child about dyslexia. You may be held back by fears, like:

• Your child will feel different from their peers.
• You don’t have the right words to talk about dyslexia.
• If you say the wrong thing, you’ll cause harm.

These are completely normal emotions for any parent to feel. Be kind to yourself. You and your child are about to embark on an unfamiliar journey by seeking out dyslexia reading resources. The good news is that these journeys often end with your child’s reading growth and a deeper connection with them.

You’re reading this article now because you truly want the best for your child. Your child will feel this, and that’s an incredible gift you are giving them: the understanding that their parent is a loving, unwavering advocate. Use the following guide to navigate this experience with your child.

How to Talk to Your Child About Dyslexia

Not only does your child need reading resources for dyslexia, but parents need dyslexia resources, too. If your child has dyslexia, the first clear signs may come from school. Many children are diagnosed around the age of five or six when they enter elementary school and begin reading instruction.

Although every situation is different, here are some common scenarios that occur around schooling and what you can say, ask, and do for your child:

1. Your child is having anxiety about reading or going to school and has expressed this to you.

   It’s important to first acknowledge that you hear your child and understand that they are having a hard time. Many children experience anxiety, embarrassment, and avoidance behaviors when trying to learn to read with dyslexia.

   This is the time to become your child’s advocate while they are at school. You can’t necessarily see them during the school day, but you can keep good lines of communication open with their teacher. Tell your child that you are going to speak with their teacher to find out how to make reading time a good, safe space for them. Ask your child if there is anything you can do to make the situation better for them. Let them know that you are on their side and that you’re there for them.

2. Your child’s teacher shares with you that there is evidence that your child is struggling with reading. The teacher plans to provide reading support for your child in class.

   Find time to talk with your child. Tell them that you might notice that their teacher has been helping them with reading in a new way. Tell them that teachers have all kinds of ways to help students grow individually, and this is the way they are helping you.

   Let your child know that lots of children need help with reading during school, and that this is okay. Everyone has areas where they need to grow, and this happens to be theirs. Remind your child that they have strengths and areas of their life where things come naturally to them. Give examples. Ask them about their reading lessons at school. What did they learn about? Praise them for learning!

3. Your child finds it unusual that they are getting extra attention for reading.

   Remind your child that everyone learns differently, and this happens to be one area where they learn differently. Be sure to identify their gifts, talents, and strengths and emphasize them.

   Also point out their bravery for showing up to work on something that is hard for them. Reward them for taking steps forward without making the reward contingent on learning to read. Reward them simply for showing up and trying.

4. Your child says that their friends have noticed that they are struggling or getting extra support.

   Remind them again that everyone learns differently and has challenges in their life. Acknowledge that you know that it can be hard if your child feels like they’re the only one of their friends that is getting extra support. Tell them that the way they learn is a part of what makes them who they are and that you love them for it. Let them know that if they feel confident, they can tell their friends this: “I learn differently when it comes to reading.” Tell them that they can also choose not to tell their friends anything. It is completely up to them.

   Dyslexia resources for parents also suggest that parents should make
   a conversation about dyslexia an ongoing line of communication. The goal is not to say “the right thing” and feel that nothing else needs to be said. Check in on your child’s daily progress at school. Keep discussions going with their teacher. Most importantly, continue to talk to your child about how they’re doing and reinforce these ideas:

   • They have many strengths that come easily to them.
   • Everyone has challenges and difficulties.
   • Their teachers are helping them make reading easier.
   • They are brave for showing up and trying to make progress.
   • There will be a day when they don’t need the same kinds of support.
   • You love them and their challenges, not despite their challenges.

How to Talk to Your Child as They Use Premier Dyslexia Resources At Home

Outside of school, you may have decided to investigate resources to help your child improve their reading at home. Although there are many “dyslexia therapy” resources on the market, finding evidence-based instruction is what will help your child make progress.

Commit to a program that provides an affordable reading assessment to determine your child’s reading needs related to dyslexia, as well as reading instruction. Then, you can have additional talks with your child.

Much like what has been described above, there are opportunities for loving, constructive communication while your child is benefitting from dyslexia reading resources at home.

1. Use the word dyslexia to explain your child’s difficulties.

   It’s important to use the word dyslexia, and to define it. The ability to put words to a child’s difficulty may make your child feel less responsible for causing their struggle or feel that something is inherently wrong with them as a person. Explain to your child that dyslexia is a difficulty with reading.

   You may also choose to describe your child’s specific reading struggles. If your child has taken an effective dyslexia reading assessment, there’s no harm in helping your child understand what the assessment says they struggle with in particular, as long as it is described at a level that they can understand.

2. Engage with your child each time they have an instructional session.

   When your child gets dyslexia instruction, especially if it is a virtual session, you can sit beside them or remain in the room. Ask your child how they thought the session went and listen to their feedback. Choose to meet with or correspond with your child’s Instructor.

   Without pressuring your child, read with them and see if you can gently, naturally try some exercises your child learned while you’re reading their favorite books at night. However you choose to engage, the point is that you are demonstrating your support and showing your child that you’re on their team throughout their instructional time.

3. Ensure they understand the value of what these dyslexia resources will provide.

   It is important that your child understands the goal of dyslexia instruction. They should know they aren’t being purposefully burdened with extra work because of their difficulties, and their instruction won’t last forever.

   Tell your child what the goal of instruction is: to help them become better readers and learn strategies, so they won’t struggle as much in the future. Encourage them by letting them know that many students don’t require the same levels of support once they’ve found reading strategies that work for them. You may even consider researching public figures who have dyslexia that your child might look up to.

How You Communicate About Dyslexia and Dyslexia Resources Matters

It matters how you frame dyslexia for your child. Use a sensitive, empathetic approach to communicate with a child in the following way:

• Let your child know what their reading difficulties are.
• Give them the facts.
• Share the benefits of working through their challenges.
• Be positive.
• Help your child feel self-confident.

Your love, thoughtfulness, advocacy, and support will do wonders for your child. Learning doesn’t happen in isolation. Learning is promoted by a joint effort between parent, teacher, child, and the right dyslexia reading resources.

Don’t view the resource you are using as “dyslexia therapy,” as this emphasizes correction and the power of a single resource to make the difference. A wiser approach is to consider how all parties can do their part to encourage progress. That includes how you communicate with your child and a comprehensive approach that involves expert instructors whose work is backed by years of research, as well as teachers, and, of course, a willing child who feels safe and supported.

Explore one particular dyslexia resource to discover why it may be useful for you and your child.