How do you support a child with dyslexia?

Do you know what Albert Einstein, Walt Disney, Whoopi Goldberg and Quentin Tarantino have in common? They were all Dyslexic – check out our article on this topic ‘List of famous Dyslexics‘.

Here are some common abilities of dyslexic people:

  • Dyslexics benefit from an innate ability to create and process their perceptual experience,
  • People with dyslexia have a higher sensitivity to the world around them,
  • They are also more curious than the average person,
  • Dyslexics think in pictures, not words,
  • They use all their senses in their thinking,
  • They have a very vivid and rich imagination,
  • They experience their thoughts in a realistic way,
  • They have better intuition and are more perceptive.

So, if there is a suspicion that a child is displaying dyslexic behaviour, the above traits should be nurtured extremely strongly in the child and not suppressed. If attention is paid to them in the course of upbringing and education and they are treated as talents to be developed, the result will be that the child will acquire a higher-than-average intelligence and even above-average creative abilities. And this can ultimately lead to mastery and genius.

The role of the parent

There are a number of parenting methods and behaviours that can improve the functioning of a dyslexic child.

Read how to help your child with dyslexia:

  • Firstly, we invite you to use our dyslexia test to determine the likelihood of whether your child may have a dyslexia spectrum disorder.
  • Since a child with dyslexia takes on average 3 times longer to master material that their peers are learning, it is worth using praise and active support.
  • It is worth remembering that the child will compare himself/herself with his/her peers. Under no circumstances should your child be compared, for example, to an older sibling, even if he or she is also dyslexic.
  • Since it is difficult for a child to concentrate on reading, writing or arithmetic for long periods of time, it is advisable to plan learning together “in chunks” and make it clear when there is time for breaks. Organising the workspace – without unnecessary distractions – will also help with learning.
  • Let learning or doing homework start with the easiest ones. If the child quickly grasps the subject and can handle the task, he or she will be more willing to tackle the next one.
  • It is worth arousing and fuelling your child’s curiosity about the world. Don’t dismiss their questions or hold back their interest. Take your child to the forest or to a museum.
  • Explain to your child that if something goes wrong and he or she fails, it is not a reason for despair, but a valuable lesson.
  • Organise your child’s free time in a creative way. Sports and physical activities of all kinds are a good way to do this.
  • Studies show that having a pet has a relaxing effect on the child, increases the sense of security and teaches responsibility.

Sources:

  1. Marta Bogdanowicz: O dysleksji, czyli specyficznych trudnościach w czytaniu i pisaniu. Odpowiedzi na pytania rodziców i nauczycieli. Lublin 1994
  2. Ronald D. Davis, Eldon M. Braun: Dar dysleksji. Poznań 2001
  3. ptd.edu.pl
  4. Przewodnik dla rodziców dzieci z dysleksją. Euro-Idea Fundacja Społeczno – Kulturalna, projekt „TIPS for parents of dyslexic child”, 2011-2013
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