I teach children who have dyslexia. I am often surprised when I see parents panic almost as if their child has a terrible incurable disease. They don’t want people to know their child has it. I often wonder why. They also try to deny it by pushing their children to read unattainable books that are far too difficult for them. Why? Dyslexia is a nuisance but it can be ‘made better’ as I put it. Usually it a class teacher that spots a problem in a child’s learning but you, as a parent, might see problems too. You may encounter a reluctance to read or maybe a confusion of which way round letters go. The quicker a possible problem is detected the better it is. I have taught children when they are five and they can quickly, with the correct Individual Education Plan (IEP) in place start to overcome their difficulties. I can test children which gives me indicators as to where their difficulties lie. Then the IEP will target these findings. If the difficulties appear to be more severe then I would forward a child to an educational psychologist to have a full assessment done which is more specific. These reports give invaluable information of the areas of difficulties and give the teacher specific detail of what help is needed. In some cases, extra time, readers and scribes are also awarded so that these children get as much help as possible.
I have seen amazing development in children overcoming their barriers to learning. Children start to read which is neccessary to all learning. Many dyslexic children are wonderful expressing themselves but they find it so hard to write what they want to say down. These barriers can also be overcome. It takes some children more time of course, others less, but it does not matter how long it takes as long as the child is progressing. Some of the most creative and special children and young people I have taught have had or have dyslexia. It need not be a problem. There is plenty of help out there.