Working Around Dyslexia

If you have a child or know a child that suffers from dyslexia, you already know there are special challenges in helping them learn. I ran across this video on TED-Ed that does a great job explaining what dyslexia is really like. It dispels a few myths about this condition.


So how can you help a child that suffers from this condition?

Focus on your child’s strengths. His disability doesn’t have to define him. He has talents and interests and abilities that are much more important than his challenges. Help him see the unique way he is designed and encourage him to try new things.

Experiment with different ways to learn. Children all learn in different ways. There is no one, right way to learn. Homeschoolers can take advantage of the opportunity to use more that one program at a time and the ability to change programs if what they are using isn’t showing success. Don’t be afraid to try a new method or adapt a current one. Your curriculum is a tool to be used in the way you find works best.

Don’t give up! Progress can be slow but success is possible. Many children who are challenged with dyslexia benefit from shorter learning sessions where they can focus intently on something specific and then move on to other things that are less intense. Continue to be patient and consistent and you will see improvement. One of my sons had great trouble learning his multiplication tables. After much difficulty, we discovered he had dyscalculia. He couldn’t memorize his math facts because to him 65 was sometimes 56. He became so frustrated that he began to hate math. We took a more relaxed approach to math and didn’t attempt calculus or trigonometry but when the pressure was off, he eventually learned to work with numbers and is now able to work in an environment where calculations are a part of his everyday job and he does them with ease.

For more information check out this blog by another homeschooler who works with children who have been diagnosed with dyslexia.