As a parent, discovering that your child has dyslexia can feel overwhelming. You might worry about their future and feel uncertain about how to best support them. It’s important to remember that while schools may not always provide the tailored support your child needs, you have the power to make a significant difference. With the right tools and understanding, you can help your child harness their unique abilities and thrive.
Understanding Dyslexic Thinking
Dyslexia is often misunderstood as simply a difficulty with reading and writing, but it’s much more than that. It involves a unique way of thinking that can lead to exceptional creativity and problem-solving skills. As McKenzie Thorp, a renowned artist with dyslexia, shares, “Dyslexia made me the artist I am today. I see from different points of view and I feel different feelings when I’m working. It makes me look at things differently.” This perspective can be a powerful tool for your child, and understanding it is the first step in supporting them.
Embrace your child's unique perspective; dyslexia can be a powerful catalyst for creativity and success.
Creating a Supportive Environment at Home
Your home can be a safe haven where your child feels encouraged to explore their strengths. Foster an environment where they feel free to express themselves creatively without judgment. Encourage activities that align with their interests, whether it’s drawing, building, or storytelling. By providing them with the space to pursue what they love, you’re nurturing their confidence and helping them discover their unique talents.
If you want to live your life, true to yourself, absolutely 1 million% true… any dream that you have, you have a reason for having that dream. If you can think it and dream it, there must be a reason. So do it.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Advocating for Your Child in School
While schools may not always cater to the needs of dyslexic students, you can play a crucial role in advocating for them. Communicate openly with teachers about your child’s strengths and challenges. Request accommodations that can help, such as extra time on tests or the use of technology to assist with reading and writing. Remember, your advocacy can make a significant difference in how your child is supported and perceived in the classroom.
Key takeaways
- Embrace Unique Strengths: Encourage your child to explore and develop their unique talents and passions, as dyslexia often comes with exceptional creative and problem-solving abilities. McKenzie Thorp's success as an artist highlights how dyslexic thinking can lead to profound achievements in fields that align with personal strengths and interests.
- Foster a Supportive Environment: Create a nurturing home environment where your child feels accepted and understood. Understanding that dyslexia is not a limitation but a different way of thinking can help your child build confidence and resilience, as exemplified by Thorp's journey of turning personal challenges into creative strengths.
- Advocate for Inclusive Education: Push for educational systems that recognize and accommodate dyslexic thinking. Thorp's experiences underscore the importance of schools valuing arts and creativity as much as traditional academics, and the need for teachers to be trained in supporting dyslexic students to help them thrive.
Leveraging Available Tools and Resources
There are numerous tools and resources available to help your child with dyslexia succeed. From specialized reading programs to apps that assist with organization and time management, these tools can make learning more accessible and enjoyable. By exploring and utilizing these resources, you can provide your child with the support they need to overcome challenges and excel in their education. Dyslexia doesn’t have to be a barrier; with the right tools, it can become a pathway to success.
So, if you can accept mothers and fathers that your kids are not getting it wrong, they just don’t do it the same way as other people do and maybe yourself.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Overcoming Challenges with this topic
One of the challenges your child might face is feeling discouraged by traditional academic settings that may not value their unique way of thinking. However, as a parent, you can help them develop strong problem solving skills, which are essential for overcoming obstacles. Encourage them to approach problems creatively, to see them as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable hurdles. By fostering these skills, you’re equipping your child with the resilience and adaptability they need to navigate life successfully and turn their challenges into triumphs.
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Your school district must evaluate your child free of charge if you ask in writing, whatever your income and whatever the outcome (US, 34 CFR 300.111 and 300.301(b)). That route takes time and answers a different question than you do. This one starts today, from what you already know.
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A screener is a starting point, not a diagnosis. If your child might need formal accommodations (an IEP or 504 plan), or you suspect a vision, hearing or medical cause, pursue a professional evaluation too. That is the only route to those supports.
