Disorders that affect the abilities of understanding or using spoken or written language, doing mathematical calculations, coordinating movements, directing attention are called learning disabilities. Dyslexia is one kind of learning disability. This may happen in very young children but they are generally not recognized until the child reaches school age. Continue scrolling to know how to help children with Dyslexia.
What is dyslexia?
If a child struggles with reading, writing, or speaking maybe she or he is with dyslexia. When you or your partner or someone else in your large family struggles to learn to read, dyslexia is probably the cause.
It is a specific learning difficulty and can affect (10-15)% of the population. It can be mild, moderate, or severe and it can run in families. If a child experiences a particular learning difficulty like dyslexia, it does not mean they are less intelligent than their peers, they just process and learn in a different way.
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Reading and spelling difficulties are most common in dyslexia. Besides, it can also affect an individual’s ability to remember information also.
Symptoms of Dyslexia
Although it is difficult to identify the signs and symptoms of dyslexia before your child enters school, some early clues may indicate a problem.
Before school
Symptoms that a young child may experience are as follow:
-Late talking
-Learning new words slowly
-Face problems forming words correctly- reversing sounds in words or confusing words that sound alike
-Cannot easily remember letters, numbers, and colors
-Difficulty learning nursery rhymes or playing rhyming games.
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School-age
Dyslexia signs and symptoms of school-age children may be:
-Reading level remains below the expected level for age
-Face difficulties in processing and understanding hearing
-Don't find the right word or form answers to questions
-Cannot remember the sequence of things
-Problems sounding out the pronunciation of an unfamiliar word
-Difficulty spelling
-Take a long time completing tasks related to reading or writing
-Don't like to take part in reading activities.
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Teens and adults
Some common dyslexia signs and symptoms in teens and adults are:
-Difficulty aloud reading
-Slow and labor-intensive reading and writing
-Problems spelling
-Difficulties of mispronunciation
-Take a long time completing tasks that involve reading or writing
-Difficulty summarizing a story
-Trouble learning a foreign language
-Difficulty memorizing
-Difficulty doing math problems.
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Causes of Dyslexia
Dyslexia tends to be a genetic problem. The causes are as follows:
-A family history of dyslexia
-Premature birth or low birth weight
-Take nicotine, drugs, or alcohol during pregnancy or being infected that may alter brain development in the fetus
Complications of Dyslexia
Dyslexia can create the following problems:
Trouble learning
Of course, reading is a basic skill like most other school subjects. A child with dyslexia experiences difficulties in reading class and cannot keep up with peers.
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Social problems
Children with dyslexia may experience low self-esteem, behavior problems, anxiety, aggression, and withdrawal from friends, parents, and teachers.
Problems as adults
Children with dyslexia or learning disabilities cannot reach their potential when they grow up.
10 Effective Ways to Help Children with Dyslexia
Here are 10 practical ways to assist kids with dyslexia.
Nurture thinking skills
Grow thinking skills in your child so that they become an independent and active learner rather than passive learner. Discuss the problem or topic related to school assignments. Share points of view. You can spend fun and quality time together with your child.
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Work on reading skills
Ask them some questions to understand your reading comprehension. The questions may include: What do you have to find out? What do you already know? Who are the main characters? What are the main ideas? Have you read something like this before? What’s your plan for answering this question? If your children follow these steps, they will increase their reading skills.
Work independently
Let your child handle his or her work independently. But make sure you follow up afterward. Your follow-up question: Did you use your plan? Is this your best work? Can you clarify this? Show me how to do it?
Praise
Never forget to praise appropriately to your child. Perfect praise and rewards are a great thing for your child. Don’t miss any opportunities to acknowledge their effort and highlight the positives where you can.
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Building positive self-image
Dyslexic children may have to try much harder than other kids to keep up with school work, which can be tiring and eat away at self-esteem. So, let them create a positive self-image of themselves and remind them of their strengths. Help them keep things in perspective when they're having a bad time.
Allowing enough sleep
Enough sleep is fundamental for every child and it is more essential for dyslexia children. Naturally, a well-fed and well-rested child learns better. So, make sure they go to bed early so that they wake up refreshed. A good night’s sleep boosts confidence and helps review information right before bed.
Providing study space
Different children learn in different ways. Some can study in a noisy place but some others cannot. Try to understand your child's choice and make sure they know they have a dedicated space to retreat to when they need it.
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Following custom calendar
A custom calendar can give your child a nice routine for his studies. Prepare a calendar and put it on a notice board or the fridge and keep it up to date. Make your child prepared for tomorrow the night before.
Setting ground rules
If you have a target for work to be completed, make some ground rules. Never tolerate conflict. As you are in charge as a parent, set out your expectations clearly. Make them understand that without finishing the work, they don’t enjoy certain privileges.
Bottom Line
Dyslexia or learning disability is not a permanent or serious problem. Your care, love and companionship can ease this problem. Besides, you need to take some effective steps to work with dyslexia-affected children. Our above-mentioned tips will help to handle your child with dyslexia.