The ability to read is a foundational human skill that, honestly, most of us take for granted. But imagine having to REALLY work to be able to read.
Imagine reading every word oh-so-slowly, and STILL not always comprehending or remembering the material.
Imagine if your “normal” was mixing up letters, or jumbling multiple words together.
Imagine, not being able to “skim over” content to get a general idea of the subject matter, or having difficulty understanding even the simplest instructions, or not being able to remember the order of steps in which to complete a task.
Well, that’s a small taste of what it’s like to have dyslexia.
Dyslexia is a neurological condition that impacts language processing. Parents of children with dyslexia need to offer thoughtful support in order to empower children to overcome the challenges associated with this condition.
We want to help parents and loved ones alike better understand dyslexia, and equip you with practical tools to nurture your child’s development and help them develop skills to overcome the many challenges they face on a day-to-day basis.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Dyslexia
Recognizing the symptoms of dyslexia as early as possible is crucial. Parents may notice that their child’s reading abilities are lagging around or after the 3rd grade, but there are other symptoms to keep an eye out for:
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- Talking late
- Difficulty reading—both out loud or silently
- Reading and writing are slow and labor-intensive
- Rhyming—or even remembering nursery rhymes—is laborious
- Difficulty with spelling
- Reading avoidance
- Mispronouncing names or words, for example, reversing sounds
- Confusing words that sound alike
- Difficulty remembering sequences
- Trouble summarizing a story
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If your child is exhibiting the symptoms of dyslexia, check out our free cognitive health assessments. Through our partnership with Creyos, we offer a dyslexia assessment that could help you gain insight into how your child’s brain works!
How to Address the Challenge of Reading
As children progress through their education, dyslexia-related struggles may intensify. To combat this, try incorporating graphic novels into your child’s reading materials. Graphic novels provide a more visually engaging approach to understanding stories and concepts. Similarly, using audiobooks alongside visual books (aka what we normally think of as a book) can enhance comprehension, and tools like Speechify provide valuable support for both essay writing and accessing audiobooks.
Fonts and Immersion Reading
Choosing dyslexia-friendly fonts—mainly sans serif fonts, like Arial, which don’t have decorative little “feet”—in reading materials contributes to improved accessibility. Immersion reading—combining audiobook listening and reading simultaneously—proves effective in enhancing comprehension, and makes the overall reading experience less frustrating
(Arial)
Choosing dyslexia-friendly fonts—mainly sans serif fonts, like Arial, which don’t have decorative little “feet”—in reading materials contributes to improved accessibility. Immersion reading—combining audiobook listening and reading simultaneously—proves effective in enhancing comprehension, and makes the overall reading experience less frustrating
Accessibility in Various Settings
In the digital age, accessibility is paramount. You might notice the accessibility options on our website, which you can access by clicking the icon of the little person in the bottom left-hand corner of the site. Tools like these allow users to tailor their online experience to their unique needs. And what’s great? So many websites and digital tools are offering accessibility tools like these nowadays!
If you need recommendations for dyslexia-friendly tools and content, please contact us using the brief form at the bottom of this post or ask your child’s pediatrician for some guidance!
Practical Dyslexia Support for Parents
Understanding dyslexia is the foundation for providing practical support to your child. Encourage your child to explore various reading formats, including graphic novels and audiobooks. Use tools like Speechify for writing assistance and audiobook accessibility. Incorporate dyslexia-friendly fonts, and explore immersive reading experiences. It’s also important to maintain open communication with educators to ensure your child receives the support they need academically.
Navigating the challenges of dyslexia requires a strategic and supportive approach from parents. By embracing a multi-faceted strategy and staying informed about available resources, parents can play a pivotal role in empowering their dyslexic children to excel academically and personally. Let’s work together and create a positive experience for the dyslexic children in our lives!
*** Disclaimer
This blog is for entertainment, informational, and general educational purposes only and should not be considered to be healthcare advice or medical diagnosis, treatment or prescribing. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care. Always seek the advice of your qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
