What is dyslexia?
http://www.parentchampions.org.uk/resources/understanding-dyslexia-booklet/
This is a great website to help parents understand dyslexia. This booklet is by parents and children – for parents and children.
Talking to your child about dyslexia
Every child with a reading difficulty is invariably going to endure ups and downs in his school experiences. So early on, each child needs to know that, no matter what, he can count on unconditional support from his parents.
When you talk with your child, there are a number of specific steps you can take to build his or her self-image. First, let him know the nature of his reading difficulties. Children are often relieved to learn that there is a name to explain why they have such trouble reading. Second, give him or her the facts—including the benefits—about dyslexia, and be positive while speaking and working with your child.
Be sure to tell your child that he will learn to read, and that there are teachers and teaching methods that will help him get there. With dyslexia, there is a path that dyslexics can follow to learn to read; there are skilled teachers and technology to help young people and their parents, and dyslexia has been overcome by many, many people over many years. Remind your child that they will grow and change and have lots of helping hands along the way.
Keep the conversation going.
Parents don’t have one conversation with their child. It's an ongoing dialogue and, really, every kid has something different and difficult in his or her lives. It's important to remind them of the things they do well and support those things. Try not to communicate despair.
Early on, it is critical to help your child identify an interest in a hobby—an area in which he can have positive experiences. It doesn't matter what it is; the importance is that it is an arena where he or she can feel victorious, develop confidence, and not feel as if she is the one always studying and struggling to catch up. In other words, let her strengths, and not her weaknesses, define her as a person.
My son was diagnosed with dyslexia in 4th grade. We have had ups and downs all throughout school and I continue to have ongoing conversations with him about his disability. The conversation never stops-even in college. Just make sure you continue to build up their self esteem and let them know they are intelligent and will do great things. Dyslexia will not hold them back! To them, it will feel like it at first but once they get it, they will soar!
http://www.parentchampions.org.uk/resources/understanding-dyslexia-booklet/
This is a great website to help parents understand dyslexia. This booklet is by parents and children – for parents and children.
Talking to your child about dyslexia
Every child with a reading difficulty is invariably going to endure ups and downs in his school experiences. So early on, each child needs to know that, no matter what, he can count on unconditional support from his parents.
When you talk with your child, there are a number of specific steps you can take to build his or her self-image. First, let him know the nature of his reading difficulties. Children are often relieved to learn that there is a name to explain why they have such trouble reading. Second, give him or her the facts—including the benefits—about dyslexia, and be positive while speaking and working with your child.
Be sure to tell your child that he will learn to read, and that there are teachers and teaching methods that will help him get there. With dyslexia, there is a path that dyslexics can follow to learn to read; there are skilled teachers and technology to help young people and their parents, and dyslexia has been overcome by many, many people over many years. Remind your child that they will grow and change and have lots of helping hands along the way.
Keep the conversation going.
Parents don’t have one conversation with their child. It's an ongoing dialogue and, really, every kid has something different and difficult in his or her lives. It's important to remind them of the things they do well and support those things. Try not to communicate despair.
Early on, it is critical to help your child identify an interest in a hobby—an area in which he can have positive experiences. It doesn't matter what it is; the importance is that it is an arena where he or she can feel victorious, develop confidence, and not feel as if she is the one always studying and struggling to catch up. In other words, let her strengths, and not her weaknesses, define her as a person.
My son was diagnosed with dyslexia in 4th grade. We have had ups and downs all throughout school and I continue to have ongoing conversations with him about his disability. The conversation never stops-even in college. Just make sure you continue to build up their self esteem and let them know they are intelligent and will do great things. Dyslexia will not hold them back! To them, it will feel like it at first but once they get it, they will soar!