As a parent, understanding and supporting a child with dyslexia can be challenging, yet incredibly rewarding. Molly Sliny, an Olympic fencer who overcame dyslexia, shares her inspiring journey on the Zarlingo Foundation’s podcast. Her story highlights the importance of parental responsibility in nurturing a child’s unique abilities and helping them navigate life’s obstacles. While schools may not always provide the necessary support, parents can make a significant difference using available tools and fostering a supportive environment.
Understanding that the journey is as important as the goal can help guide your child’s development
Molly emphasizes that the path to achieving goals is often more significant than the goals themselves. She learned to focus on the steps needed to reach her objectives, a lesson that was crucial in both her academic and athletic pursuits. As a parent, encouraging your child to break down their goals into manageable steps can help them feel less overwhelmed and more capable of tackling challenges related to dyslexia.
Embrace your child's dyslexia as a unique strength; it can teach them resilience and innovative problem-solving, turning challenges into stepping stones for success.
Sports and other activities can provide valuable life skills for children with dyslexia
Molly credits her success in fencing to the skills she developed through sports, such as perseverance and adaptability. These skills were transferable to her academic life, helping her overcome the hurdles posed by dyslexia. Encouraging your child to engage in sports or other extracurricular activities can provide them with a sense of achievement and help them develop essential life skills that can be applied to their learning journey.
If you start maybe believing in yourself, this is what you can become. You can become this bird, do anything, be anything, go anywhere you want.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
A supportive coach or mentor can make a significant difference in a child’s life
Molly’s coach, Joe Pinsky, played a pivotal role in her development by providing guidance and encouragement. He taught her the importance of believing in herself and approaching challenges differently. As a parent, you can emulate this by being a supportive mentor to your child, helping them see their potential and guiding them through their struggles with dyslexia.
Key takeaways
- Embrace the Journey, Not Just the Goal: It's crucial for parents to teach their children with dyslexia to focus on the steps needed to achieve their goals, rather than just the end result. Molly's experience in overcoming challenges in reading and writing helped her understand the importance of hard work and perseverance in athletics, showing that the journey itself builds valuable life skills.
- Leverage Strengths and Develop Workarounds: Parents should encourage their children to identify and harness their unique strengths, such as three-dimensional thinking or pattern recognition, which can be particularly beneficial in activities like sports. Molly's ability to see patterns and break down tasks into manageable steps was a key factor in her success in fencing, demonstrating that dyslexia can offer unique abilities that can be applied in various areas of life.
- Believe in Yourself and Set Personal Goals: It's essential for children with dyslexia to develop self-belief and set their own goals. Molly's story emphasizes that the power to achieve lies within the individual, and parents should support their children in recognizing their potential and taking ownership of their journey. Encouraging children to believe in themselves and pursue their passions can lead to significant personal growth and achievement.
Emphasizing your child’s strengths and fostering a growth mindset can enhance their learning experience
Molly’s experience underscores the importance of recognizing and nurturing a child’s strengths, rather than focusing solely on their weaknesses. By helping your child develop a Growth Mindset, you can empower them to view challenges as opportunities for growth. If you suspect that your child might have specific learning challenges, consider taking a Dyslexia Test to gain more insights. Encouraging them to explore areas where they excel, such as music, art, or math, can boost their confidence and provide a foundation for tackling more difficult subjects.
Everyone’s different, everyone has strengths, everyone has different weaknesses, and the thing is that you have to really look at people on who they are.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Overcoming dyslexia’s challenges through parental support can lead to a fulfilling life for your child
One of the most significant challenges Molly faced was her severe dyslexia, which was identified early on. As a parent, your role is crucial in helping your child overcome such challenges. By fostering a Growth Mindset and working closely with educators, you can ensure your child receives the support they need. Your unwavering support and belief in their potential can help them achieve a fulfilling life, much like Molly’s journey to becoming an Olympian.
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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.
