10 Facts Parents Should Know

Has your child recently been diagnosed with dyslexia? You might already be worried about how this is going to impact their school career and whether they succeed later in life. 

However, a child with this diagnosis can gain the same opportunities as others. You just need to make sure that you are providing the right support and helping them in the best possible ways. Here are a few facts to help you in this endeavor. 

Your Child Needs Downtime 

It’s important to make sure that your child does get a rest at the end of the school day before they begin their homework. Since their brain has issues with letters and sounds it is under more pressure and stress than that of a typical child. 

You Can’t Schedule Around Bad Days

It’s difficult when your child has a bad day and they seem to forget everything they have learned. It’s important to be aware that these issues are completely random and will often be followed by a positive day. 

Dyslexia Is Not A ‘One Size Fits All’ Condition

It impacts everyone in different ways. As such, you should make sure that you explore various different learning paths. 

Children With Dyslexia Can Learn To Read And Write

While dyslexia can not be cured, it is possible to teach a child with this diagnosis to understand numbers and the alphabet. However, they could still have issues such as forgetting numbers. 

It Takes Longer To Complete Basic Reading And Writing Tasks 

It will always take someone with dyslexia longer to write basic sentences or complete simple sums. That’s why they should be provided with extra time. 

Dyslexia Is Hereditary

It is passed on through family members although it can and commonly does, skip generations. 

They Can Be Creative 

It’s quite common for people with dyslexia to excel in other areas. Tom Cruise, Jim Carrey, and Walt Disney all received a diagnosis of dyslexia at one point or another. People with this diagnosis will often show talent in sport, technology, art or even acting. 

Children Often Have Low Self Esteem

Due to their difficulties learning, it’s possible for children with this diagnosis to feel different and uncomfortable with who they are. Parents need to work to build them back up. 

Dyslexia Is Known By A Variety Of Names

Some of these terms including learning difference, specific learning difficulty, developmental reading disorder, and cognitive reading disorder. 

Dyslexia Is Incredibly Common 

It’s by far the most common cause of issues with reading and writing. It is believed that as many as 1 in 5 people could have dyslexia and it’s possible that a large percentage live without a diagnosis. Many people with dyslexia also find great success once they leave school because there are fewer boundaries on achievements. 

We hope this helps you understand some of the key facts about dyslexia that you should be aware of as a parent. If you think your child has this condition, it’s important to get support as quickly as possible to ensure the right structures are in place.