Advice for supporting dyslexic children
Dyslexia is a hidden (not visible) disability that mainly affects the development of literacy skills such as reading, writing and spelling.
Short-term memory, mathematical ability, concentration levels, personal organisation and the ability to put things in sequence may also be affected.
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Who does it affect?
- In the UK approximately 10% of the population is affected, to varying degrees - 4% has severe dyslexia
- It can affect anyone, no matter how intelligent
- It affects men and women equally
- It often runs in families
- It can result in low self-esteem, lack of confidence and, in children, behavioural difficulties
- Some people with dyslexia show strengths in creative abilities, problem-solving, visual and technical skills.
With appropriate support, dyslexia need not be a barrier to success.
How can I help my dyslexic child? Tips for parents and teachers
1. Reading to a child - this improves listening skills, broadens interest in books and improves vocabulary.
2. Shared reading - the adult reads and the child joins in - is very useful. Encourage your child to join in by :
- Discussing the books content with him
- Discussing the pictures and asking him to describe what is happening or might happen.
- Running your finger along the line of print as you read
- Suggest your child joins in by reading some words
- Asking your child to retell the story in his own words.
3. Supported reading - this approach encourages the child to read to the adult and can gauge whether the child is able to read most of a book (nine out of every ten words). Encourage this by:
- Looking at the books and pictures together
- Asking the child to suggest what the story is about
- Selecting two or three words or main characters to talk about
- Allow a child time to work out words (it is recommended that you give the word after five second)
- Helping with accuracy.
- Encourage your child to check guesswork by cross checking letters in a word.
4. Over learning - this may seem tedious to you it is actually good to read a child's favourite book over and over again. This helps to build familiarity and if a child has a poor short-term memory it reinforces his understanding of the story.
5. Silent Reading - children need the opportunity to read alone. Young children need time to browse and more skilful readers need independence and time to develop fluency. Encourage discussion about books the child has read, not only what the story was about, but also whether it was a good read.
6. Fun! - reading should be a pleasure. If you seem like you are enjoying it your child will pick up on this.
- Make sure you are both comfortable and relaxed
- Make reading part of your children's daily routine
- Use different voices for the characters
- Read favourite books over and over again
Hints and tips for helping dyslexic learners
Dyslexia is not a disease and it cannot be cured. However, it is possible to help a dyslexic child learn to cope with and manage his difficulties, and reach his potential at school and beyond.
Dyslexia Action believes that the best way to help a dyslexic learner of any age is through specialist tuition, with a trained teacher, that is tailored to meet the needs of the individual. Listed below are a few suggestions; some may seem too obvious to mention and others too difficult to implement. What can be done will depend on individual circumstances.
Do...
- Trust your instincts. If the child is showing signs of a learning difficulty, talk to your school SENCo or arrange to have him assessed. If the child does not have a hidden disability at least you will have ruled this out.
- Be aware of the individual needs of each dyslexic pupil and try to avoid putting him in a situation that will exacerbate and bring attention to his difficulties
- Praise and encourage wherever possible
- Try to focus on what he is good at and avoid too much attention towards the negatives
- Give less homework (e.g. shorter essays, or underline main points to learn)
- Mark written work on content, not spelling - tick what is right instead of crossing out what is wrong
- Mark on oral responses when possible
- If reading long words, divide syllables with a pencil line
- Help him to pronounce words correctly
- Make sure he has understood and remembered instructions or provide written instructions rather than verbal ones
- Put important words clearly on the blackboard
- Give plenty of time to copy from the blackboard - writing on alternate lines in different colours may also help or use pre-prepared handouts
- Allow extra time for assignments if he is struggling to meet the deadline
- Send an exercise book home with him, with homework assignments written in, and a note of important things to bring tomorrow, e.g. P.E. kit
- Try to be as encouraging as possible and focus on the child's strengths. This can help to build confidence.
Do not...
- Make him read aloud in public if he is reluctant to do so
- Correct all mistakes in written work - it's too discouraging
- Give lists of spelling words to learn - it is better to give smaller numbers of words that are related, e.g. plate, cake, name
- Make him write out work again if it is messy or there are lots of errors
- Compare him with others
- Make him change his writing style
- Make him stay behind at break-times or after school to catch-up
- Lose patience if he learns to spell or read a new word and then later is unable to recall the same word
- Bring attention to his difficulties in front of the class or the family - children can be very cruel and many dyslexic children are bullied as a result
- Get frustrated. Many dyslexic children will spell/read a word correctly and then later not be able to spell/read the same word. This often makes the child appear lazy but poor short-term memory causes this spelling/reading phenomena.
- Place too much emphasis on literacy skills when he may have other abilities such as creativity and originality
For further advice and guidance on how to identify and support children pupils who may be dyslexic, or have a hidden disability, please get in touch with Dyslexia Action http://www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk
Assessments and tuition are available at all Dyslexia Action centres.
Dyslexia Action runs a wide range of courses for teachers, as well as selling teaching and assessment materials.
Dyslexia Action has sells a resource that parents can use at home with their child called the DIY Readers Support Pack for Parents.
Download Waterstone's Guide to Books for Young Dyslexic Readers
Please note - This guide will be updated shortly.
Prices quoted are RRP guidelines only.
