If you suspect dyslexia, then you can start off by contacting your school's educational psychologist, or SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), to arrange for your child to be screened/have tests. This screening process can be especially helpful to pinpoint exact weaknesses in a child's ability and gives the school itself a starting point as to what your child needs help with.
Information About Dyslexia
The British Dyslexia Association or the Dyslexia USA websites are also a mine of good information as to what dyslexia is and what you as a parent or teacher can do to help a dyslexic child.
Getting A Statement
In the UK, you can apply for "a statement" for your child. This is a "statement of special educational needs'"and will set out for the school and each successive school your child attends, the requirements, the problem at hand and what services/strategies need to be put into place to assist your child in school. Dyslexia is not just a problem for literacy class. Being able to read and write and assess texts is a requirement in almost every lesson in school, so it is essential this problem is addressed.
Boys are affected more than girls, and the condition can cause huge amounts of frustration and anger for the child. It can also affect their self-esteem and even cause depression, if children worry about being seen as "thick'"or "slow'"by their peers, whom they want to fit in with.
What Are The Signs Of Dyslexia?
Perhaps you want to know what you should be aware of? You need to look out for :
- a family history of learning problems
- clumsiness
- a child who enjoys listening to stories but does not want to read them
- teachers who say your child is uncooperative in class and does not complete work
- a child who has extremely small handwriting
- a child who mixes up their colours
- a child who has continuing difficulty knowing the difference between left and right
- a child who struggles to read aloud
- a child who forgets a word he has just read and cannot recognise it again on the next line
However, even though dyslexia can hamper certain abilities, it can give them strengths in others. Does your child :
- think quickly to solve problems mentally?
- have an amazing ability with crafts and art?
- build and construct amazing items?
- seem otherwise bright and intelligent?
Tools to Help Dyslexic Child with Reading
You can easily buy from the internet, Reading Rulers that come in different colours. These, as well as acetate sheets in different colours can help a dyslexic child amazingly well. This is because usually in reading material, whether its books, newspapers or off a computer, the background is white and the letters and text is black. For a dyslexic child, this can be too much of a contrast and so the letters and words seem to dance or move on the page. Using the acetate and the reading rulers lessens the contrast and keeps the words "still". It makes the text less harsh to the eyes and the brain, therefore making it easier for children to read.
Perhaps your dyslexic child prefers to learn kinesthetically? That is "through touch". Practice at home with your child by forming lettes with Play-doh or plasticine. Or buy the magnetic letters for the fridge or bath and manipulate the letters by hand so your child can "feel the words". This can be an immense help in letting your child "see" the shapes and sounds.
It takes a lot of work, but having dyslexia is not as big a problem as it used to be. Now it is a recognised condition and many successful dyslexics have gone on to become famous. A few of these are listed below. [Dyslexia, A Parent's Guide, Need2Know Books, Forward Press, 2004]
- Hans Christian Andersen
- Marlon Brando
- Richard Branson
- Cher
- Agatha Christie
- Winston Churchill
- Tom Cruise
- Albert Einstein
- Whoopi Goldberg
- Goldie Hawn
- Jeremy Irons
- Michaelangelo
- Leonardo da Vinci
- W B Yeats
Having a child with dyslexia does not have to be a problem. With the correct diagnosis, professional support and practice at both school and at home, your child can look forward to lessons without having to worry too much or get stressed out about. Research the resources available to you. They don't cost a lot of money and some of them – like the reading rulers – could be supplied for you by the school, as some colours work well with some children, whereas other colours work better with others.
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