School and dyslexia do not mix well together.

Most dyslexic learners struggle in mainstream classrooms.

One of the reasons for their difficulty is that they process information differently from their peers. This often leads to misunderstanding on the part of both the teacher and the student.

For example, the teacher may be talking about the vase in the picture above, while your dyslexic child may be talking about the two people looking at each other. The result will be that your child will become more confused the more the teacher talks. On the other hand, the teacher talks more to try to help your child understand her instruction.

It is your responsibility, as the parent, to help your child’s teacher understand the ways she thinks and perceives things differently from the other students.

You are your child’s BEST advocate!

But first, you must talk to your child about dyslexia. Make sure he understands that he is not “less than…” any of his peers, in any way.

How you talk about it is just as important as what you say.

Many children realize that they have difficulty reading and writing when their classmates and friends do not, but they do not know why. It is, therefore, imperative that you speak with your child as early as possible after he’s identified as dyslexic.

Here are some tips to help you do so.

1. Timing
   • Wait for a quiet, peaceful time in a neutral environment.
   • Don’t use the place where homework struggle ensues.
   • Consider taking a walk in a nearby park.
2. Explanation
   • Talk about the challenges your child is having.
   • Let him know that his struggle has a name so he can associate his difficulties with an identity rather than his sense of self or his overall capability.
   • Tell him that children with dyslexia are just as brilliant as those without it. They just learn differently.
3. Advocate
   • Let your child know you will be working with his school to help him succeed.
   • Talk to the teacher about dyslexia. Make sure he understands it’s a different way of thinking and learning, not a failure sentence.
   • Create a “cheat sheet” for the teacher that describes your child’s weaknesses and strengths.
4. Support
   • Let your child know you will always be in his corner cheering him on to success.
   • Explain his learning difference to his siblings, other family members, and friends.
   • Teach him self-advocacy.
5. Reassure
   • Let him know that he can be the best at whatever he chooses to do as an adult.
   • Introduce him to a dyslexic role model or celebrity who is successful in a career that he aspires to do someday.
   • Show him that you believe in him.

Any child with reading difficulties will go through ups and downs. Your child needs to know that, regardless of situations and circumstances, he can count on your unconditional support.

Never leave his side.

Empower him all the way to learning success in school and life.