Supporting My Child with Dyslexia: What Worked for Us
By Emily Grant
2023-09-18 • 9 min
When my son was diagnosed with dyslexia, we were at a loss. Schools didn’t seem to have the resources or the understanding to support him effectively, and we had no idea where to start. Over time, we developed a strategy that combined professional help, technology, and home support that really made a difference. One of the first things we did was seek out a specialist who could assess his specific needs. Dyslexia affects each child differently, and the one-size-fits-all approach we initially encountered wasn’t working. Once we had a tailored plan in place, we began incorporating assistive technology into his learning routine. Tools like audiobooks and speech-to-text software were lifesavers, allowing him to engage with the material in ways that bypassed some of the difficulties traditional reading posed. Another key aspect was building his confidence. Dyslexia can take a toll on self-esteem, so we made sure to focus on his strengths. He’s a fantastic storyteller, so we encouraged him to express himself through creative writing and drawing, even if he couldn’t always spell the words correctly. Over time, his confidence grew, and so did his academic performance. In this post, I’ll share more detailed strategies that worked for us, as well as some resources we found along the way. If you’re a parent struggling with a similar diagnosis, know that with patience, persistence, and the right tools, there’s a path forward.