We all want our kids to thrive at school, but what happens when something as fundamental as reading feels impossible? Dyslexia, a common learning disability affecting up to 20% of the population (and 80 to 90% of those with learning disabilities), turns the joy of learning into a daily struggle for many children.

But here's the uplifting news - educators and parents can make a world of difference with the right strategies in place.

In this blog post, we’ll teach you how you can turn your child’s trials into triumphs - and make their dyslexia just a mere footnote in their ultimate story of success.

Dyslexia: An Overview

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that primarily affects reading and language processing.

It's not about intelligence - many individuals with dyslexia are highly intelligent and creative. When you have dyslexia, the connection between sounds and letters is mixed up. Students with dyslexia tend to struggle with phonological processing, spelling, and decoding words.

As you might expect, this makes reading an uphill battle. Just imagine trying to read a book where the letters constantly scramble themselves - that's a glimpse into the experience of someone with dyslexia.

Signs of Dyslexia in Children

Imagine watching your child strain to make sense of the words on a page. Dyslexia can be a hurdle for students to overcome, but with the right support, they can thrive. Providing the right support starts with being able to identify the signs.

While the signs can differ between children, some common signs include difficulty in recognizing letters, inconsistent spelling, and slow reading speed. You might notice a child struggling to match letters to sounds or having trouble remembering sequences like the alphabet.

Sometimes, it's not just about reading; these children might also struggle with writing, spelling, and even pronouncing words correctly. Dyslexia can also manifest itself in the form of other issues, too, such as confusing left and right, clumsy finger movements, and trouble keeping track of time.

So what kinds of impact does dyslexia have on a child’s life? You might assume that dyslexia is just about schoolwork. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Dyslexia doesn't just affect academic performance -  it can also impact a child's self-esteem and overall well-being.

Students with dyslexia often experience frustration, anxiety, and a sense of inadequacy. These feelings can lead to a negative attitude towards school and learning in general.

Strategies for Supporting Students With Dyslexia

Let’s take a look at some strategies you can try to help support your student with dyslexia.

Remember, as you go through, that you need to promote healthy self-perception and coping skills in your child - these habits will serve them well throughout their academic journey, but especially as they learn to live with dyslexia.

Tailor your approach to your child's learning style, adapting your methods as needed to meet their distinct requirements. As their confidence grows, take time to celebrate every small win.

 

1. Incorporate All the Senses

One effective way to support students with dyslexia is through multisensory learning. Engage their senses by incorporating tactile and kinesthetic activities along with visual and auditory materials.

For instance, using sandpaper letters can help children feel the shape of letters while saying the sounds aloud. This method reinforces learning and helps solidify connections in the brain.

When we experience abstract ideas through multiple senses - sight, sound, and touch - they start to feel more real and accessible.

 

2. Leverage Assistive Technology

Dyslexia can present significant challenges, but innovative technology is helping bridge the gap. Take text-to-speech software and word processors with robust spell-check – they're revolutionizing the way students learn.

Writing just got a whole lot easier thanks to tools like Dragon Naturally Speaking, which allow students to simply talk their way through essays and skip the keyboard gymnastics.

With technology like this, the 'I can do it!' factor kicks in, empowering students to take on challenges that once seemed out of reach, building confidence with each triumph.

 

3. Work on Phonemic Awareness

Phonemic awareness is critical for developing strong reading skills, but it’s challenging for readers with dyslexia.

Therefore, activities that focus on sound manipulation, like rhyming games and segmenting sounds, can be particularly beneficial.

Creating a word wall with words listed by phoneme or teaching words phonetically using multisensory methods can enhance understanding.

Similarly, phonics-based spelling lists that follow a certain scope and sequence can also be quite helpful in improving literacy skills.

 

4. Teach Spelling Patterns and Syllables

Understanding spelling patterns and syllables can demystify the structure of words for students with dyslexia. Break down words into their syllabic components and teach common spelling rules.

For example, focusing on the "magic e" rule can help students understand why certain words are spelled the way they are. Regular practice with these patterns can lead to better spelling and reading fluency.

If you’re not sure where to start, consider incorporating a student-centered curriculum like this one. It offers personalized, error-specific feedback that can help any student succeed.

 

 

5. Use Line Readers or Other Tracking Aides

Keeping track of their place on a page can be doubly challenging for students with dyslexia. The good news is that there are tools that not can dramatically improve reading accuracy. But that’s not all  - they can also make the reading experience more manageable and less overwhelming, and they’re more affordable and accessible than you might assume.

Line readers or overlay tools can help focus their attention on one line at a time, reducing visual stress. Digital scanning pens that read text aloud can also be incredibly useful.

 

6. Try Audiobooks When Helpful

While they may not help with phonetic skills, audiobooks can significantly boost reading comprehension and enjoyment of literature; that’s because they allow students to access content above their reading level.

Audiobooks can expose students to richer vocabulary and more complex sentence structures, which, with practice, can enhance their language skills and foster a love for reading.

 

7. Teach Visualization

Imagine being able to instantly connect with the words on the page – that's the power of visualization techniques for dyslexic students.

To do this, encourage your students to create mental images of what they're reading or to draw pictures that represent stories or concepts. This strategy can make abstract ideas more concrete and memorable. It can also turn reading into an engaging and imaginative activity rather than a source of frustration.

 

8. Provide Appropriate Accommodations

Accommodations can level the playing field for students with dyslexia. They make sure students are assessed based on understanding rather than reading ability, allowing them to demonstrate and showcase their true potential.

Extended time on tests, the option to provide oral rather than written answers, and quiet study spaces are just a few examples. Exempting students from reading aloud in class can also reduce anxiety.

 

9. Try Pocket Spellcheckers

Wouldn’t it be cool to have a trusty sidekick that can instantly correct spelling mistakes and offer smart suggestions? That’s exactly what pocket spell checkers do for students with dyslexia. They offer immediate spelling corrections and suggestions, in the process helping students feel more confident in their writing.

By reducing the stress associated with spelling, pocket spell checkers can encourage more frequent and spontaneous writing - and make it less of a chore for students who struggle with dyslexia.

 

10. Keep the Lines of Communication Open 

When it comes to teaching the student with dyslexia how to read, teamwork truly does make the dreamwork. We’re all in this together, so make sure you’re collaborating with other partners in the process, like teachers and parents.

Sharing observations, progress, and concerns can lead to a more cohesive and effective support plan. If you’re a teacher, you can encourage parents to provide feedback on the strategies used at home and school (and vice versa).

The Takeaway

Supporting students with dyslexia isn’t always easy - and it will also require a one-on-one approach. doesn’t rely on uniform solutions. Each student with dyslexia will likely be different from the next, so you’ll need to keep experimenting and refining your approach until you find stareties that work the best for each unique student.

Need help getting started? The right resources can make a world of difference - and the good news is that there are plenty of them out there.

The McGraw Hill StudySync curriculum is a comprehensive 6-12 ELA curriculum that includes rich multimedia and other resources to drive your literacy education home, all in a way that’s accessible to students with unique learning needs.

Remember, reading is just the starting point – the real payoff is watching a child's confidence soar and their enthusiasm for learning grow.

 

Want to become part of the conversation? Join our community of educators on Facebook or Instagram to share your journey and find support. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of students with dyslexia.

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