Help Your Child With Dyslexia: Tips and Resources

When your child receives a dyslexia diagnosis, it can be an overwhelming experience. You may ask yourself, “What comes next?” or “How can I best help my child with dyslexia?” The most important thing is making sure they get the support they need to reach their full potential. Here are some tips and resources to help.

Seek Services to Help Boost Your Child’s Reading Skills

If your child receives a dyslexia diagnosis, tutoring sessions can be highly beneficial alongside the support they receive at school. At ETLC, we use Orton-Gillingham (OG) based instruction. This method systematically and explicitly teaches phonemic awareness and phonics through a multisensory approach. Research evidence backs our structured literacy programs.

We build in opportunities to develop reading fluency and comprehension, expand vocabulary, and write and listen to stories through varied instruction. Every treatment plan is individualized, with continuous feedback and guidance throughout.

Educate Yourself About Dyslexia

Learning more about dyslexia will help you understand the diagnosis itself. It will also give you insight into what your child experiences on a daily basis.

You can also visit the following websites:

• Understood.org
• Decoding Dyslexia Iowa
• International Dyslexia Association
• Lindamood-Bell Instruction for Reading and Comprehension

We also recommend the book Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz, M.D.

Consider Accommodations That Would Help Your Child

Accommodations could include, but aren’t limited to, changes in expectations, adjusted written directions, modified spelling lists, note-taking aids, homework modifications, and extra time for assessments. Assistive technology can also help. For instance, your child might benefit from typed instead of written assignments, oral instead of written reports, audiobooks, or dictation software.

Build Confidence by Focusing on What Your Child Does Well

Use a growth mindset when talking about challenging skills, especially reading. Visit Mindset Works for more information on promoting a growth mindset, or check out our own guide to growth mindset for kids.

ETLC Is Here to Help Your Child Succeed

At Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center, we strive to provide a comfortable, supportive environment alongside high-quality therapy services that build each child’s skills. We also partner closely with parents and other caregivers to help generalize skills and strategies beyond the therapy room. If you have concerns about your child’s development, please contact us.