Teaching a child with dyslexia to read can be challenging for both you and the child. The good news is that there are lots of aids and activities that can help with reading that are both fun and educational. Use textures and visual cues to help the child differentiate letters. Help with comprehension by asking questions about the story and letting them follow along with an audiobook. Involving professionals in the treatment can help with the child’s academic and personal success.
Steps
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:
Teaching Writing with Tactile Aids
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Practice writing letters in shaving cream. Children with dyslexia often respond best to multisensory interventions that allow them to play while learning reading and phonics. Use shaving cream or sand to have the child spell out words and say the sound of the letters out loud. This can help them see the letters and associate a tactile sensation with each letter and word. [1] X Trustworthy Source Understood Nonprofit organization dedicated to resources and support to people with thinking differences, such as ADHD or dyslexia Go to source
- Using sand or shaving cream can make activities fun for the child. Put the sand or shaving cream in a bowl, drop in a few drops of food coloring, and stir it to add some color to the activity.
EXPERT TIP"Phonics, or creating an awareness between letters and sound, can be particularly useful for kids with dyslexia."
Soren Rosier is an Education Expert based in Palo Alto, CA. He is the founder of PeerTeach, a platform that empowers students to grow their leadership, confidence, and love of math through AI-powered peer tutoring. Additionally, he is an instructor at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, where he teaches courses on designing impactful tools for learning. Before beginning his PhD, he taught middle school in Oakland, developed teacher training programs, and evaluated the efficacy of popular ed tech products at SRI International. He received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a PhD in Learning Sciences & Technology Design at Stanford University.Soren Rosier, PhD
Teacher & Education ResearcherSoren Rosier, PhD
Teacher & Education Researcher -
Connect sound with texture. Giving letters a rough texture can help the child remember what the letters look like and feel like. Cut out large sandpaper letters and place them on a smooth surface, such as a desk or table. Start building words with the letters and allow the child to feel each letter once a word has been created. [2] X Trustworthy Source Understood Nonprofit organization dedicated to resources and support to people with thinking differences, such as ADHD or dyslexia Go to source
- Make both capital and lowercase sandpaper letters so that the child can start to learn when to use each.
- Each letter should be about 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) tall and 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) wide.
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Practice word building with magnetic letters. Purchase some magnetic letters and let the child play on the refrigerator or another magnetic surface. Have the child say the sound of each letter as they lay it out. Once they have completed the word, have them say the word out loud. [3] X Trustworthy Source Understood Nonprofit organization dedicated to resources and support to people with thinking differences, such as ADHD or dyslexia Go to source
- Magnetic letters can be helpful because the letters are different colors. You can also use letter tiles to build words.
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Do combined reading and writing activities. Have the child read a word out loud, build it with magnetic letters, then write it down. Make one flashcard for all 3 of these steps so that the child can read, build, and write all in one place. Make the cards out of dry-erase sheets and have the child write with dry-erase markers so that they can use one card to practice many different words. [4] X Trustworthy Source Understood Nonprofit organization dedicated to resources and support to people with thinking differences, such as ADHD or dyslexia Go to source
- To make a flashcard, draw 3 separate rectangular boxes on a blank dry-erase sheet. Write the word “Read” above the first box, “Build” above the second box, and “Write” above the third box. Then, write a simple word, such as “Cat,” inside the first box and let the child read, build, and write the word.
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Use a specific font. When writing letters or doing letter and word activities, use a font that is specially designed for people who have dyslexia. This can be helpful when typing out words or letters for the child. You can also paste the font into their favorite books so they have an easier time reading. [5] X Trustworthy Source Edutopia Educational nonprofit organization focused on encouraging and celebrating classroom innovation Go to source
- Dyslexie and OpenDyslexic are 2 examples of fonts that were created specifically to help those with dyslexia. Go to https://opendyslexic.org/ or https://www.dyslexiefont.com/ and follow the prompts to download and/or order different tools and products that will allow the child to read and type in these fonts on electronic devices.
- You can also use features of these fonts in your own handwriting when writing for the child. This might include writing longer stems for letters (such as ‘h’ and ‘p’) and focusing more on differentiating the bottom of letters so that they look distinctly different (such as ‘b’ and ‘d’).
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:
Promoting Comprehension
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Read books that pique the child’s interests. Reading won’t be a chore if the child enjoys what they are learning about. Find books that specifically target the child’s interests and also fit their reading level so that they look forward to reading. For example, if the child loves animals, find age-appropriate animal-themed books that the child can read or that you can read aloud to them. [6] X Research source
- If reading does feel like a chore to the child, have them help pick out books at the library. During story time, let them pick out one book that they choose on their own.
EXPERT TIPTeacher & Education ResearcherSoren Rosier is an Education Expert based in Palo Alto, CA. He is the founder of PeerTeach, a platform that empowers students to grow their leadership, confidence, and love of math through AI-powered peer tutoring. Additionally, he is an instructor at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, where he teaches courses on designing impactful tools for learning. Before beginning his PhD, he taught middle school in Oakland, developed teacher training programs, and evaluated the efficacy of popular ed tech products at SRI International. He received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a PhD in Learning Sciences & Technology Design at Stanford University.Your support as a parent can make all the difference for your child. PhD candidate and former teacher Soren Rosier says: "Kids with dyslexia tend to need a lot more time than other kids. If they get that help early on, it can make a really big difference in their learning trajectory."
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Ask questions about the story. When reading a story, ask questions about comprehension throughout. For example, before turning the page, ask about what happened, how the character feels, or what the child thinks might happen next. Comprehension exercises can happen throughout the story, so don’t wait until the end to make sure the child understands. [7] X Research source
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Read books with high repetition. Read books that include lots of rhyming and repetition out loud with the child. This can help them identify letter and word patterns. The rhyming can also help the child understand the story while keeping them engaged. [8] X Research source
- Try books like Green Eggs and Ham by Doctor Seuss or Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.
- When reading out loud, pause and let the child fill in the word(s). This can help them learn the sounds and words that complete a rhyming story. For example, if you’re reading Green Eggs and Ham , say “I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them…” and let the child say, “Sam I am.”
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Use audiobooks to aid in reading. If possible, have an audio version of a book so that the child can listen and read along with the audio. This can aid in comprehension and allow the child to see what words sound like and hear them, too. You can also record yourself reading the book so that the child can listen along with your voice. [9] X Research source
- Create an audio library for the child. That way, they can easily listen and read books at the same time.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:
Getting Outside Help if You’re a Parent
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Get an official evaluation. For your child to receive help, an official diagnosis will go a long way. Set up an appointment with a psychologist so that they can evaluate the child for dyslexia. Your child’s abilities in oral language, reading, spelling, and writing development will be assessed and their results will be reported to you, along with recommendations for home and school. [10] X Research source
- You can find a psychologist by contacting your insurance provider, going to your child’s school, or reaching out to your local mental health clinic.
- Make an appointment with a psychologist or neuropsychologist who specializes in diagnosing learning disorders and has experience with testing dyslexia.
- During evaluation, your child will likely take several tests that assess their abilities. For example, in one common vocabulary test, the examiner holds up a card that has 4 pictures on it, says a word that represents 1 of the pictures, and asks the child to point to the correct picture.
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Get help from your child’s teacher. Before the school year starts, schedule a meeting with your child’s teacher and talk to them about your child’s dyslexia. Explain your child’s deficits and what interventions they positively respond to for reading and writing. Once the school year begins, talk to your child’s teacher frequently and ask about their progress. Become familiar with the teacher and figure out the best way to contact them, whether that be by email, by phone, or in-person. [11] X Research source
- Set up a meeting each year with your child’s new teacher to discuss your child’s dyslexia.
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Create an individualized education plan (IEP). If you live in the United States, schools are required to provide assistance to children who have documented disabilities. This process is done through the school and often involves your child’s teacher, the school psychologist, and other school personnel. [12] X Research source Bring any papers regarding your child’s diagnosis and recommendations from the psychologist who diagnosed them. Your child’s school may offer services such as special education, a classroom aid, and extra help for reading and writing activities. [13] X Research source
- Some accommodations might include oral test-taking instead of written test-taking, classroom note-takers, untimed exams, and access to audio books.
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Use outside help. If you want more support outside of school, consider seeing an educational therapist or specialized tutor. When finding someone to tutor your child, ask them about their experience with teaching a dyslexic child. You can also ask them what methods they use and if they’ve been successful in the past with teaching reading disorders. [14] X Trustworthy Source Understood Nonprofit organization dedicated to resources and support to people with thinking differences, such as ADHD or dyslexia Go to source
- Specialized tutors focus on reteaching specific material within certain subjects, while educational therapists take a broader approach, and teach techniques that can improve different learning and attention issues.
- Consider meeting for weekly sessions with the professional. The tutor or therapist should communicate with your child’s school so that there isn't any confusion over interventions.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionCould the hearing of a child with dyslexia be a problem ?Kathy5421Community AnswerNo, unless they have a severe type of dyslexia, known as auditory dyslexia. Auditory dyslexia is when a dyslexic child can't focus because of background noise. This is probably rare, but you won't know if your child has these issues, unless you see a doctor.
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QuestionWhat if my child is home schooled?Kathy5421Community AnswerYou could use a online reading software, such as ABC Mouse, Khan Academy, Success Maker, Abeka, or Adventure Academy.
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QuestionWhere can I find free material to teach my dyslexic child to read?Kathy5421Community AnswerYou can probably find free material to teach your dyslexic child from Communities in Schools, but you do have to pay for your child to go there. If you want something free, try looking for worksheets online.
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References
- ↑ https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/instructional-strategies/8-multisensory-techniques-for-teaching-reading?view=slideview
- ↑ https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/instructional-strategies/8-multisensory-techniques-for-teaching-reading?view=slideview
- ↑ https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/instructional-strategies/8-multisensory-techniques-for-teaching-reading?view=slideview
- ↑ https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/instructional-strategies/8-multisensory-techniques-for-teaching-reading?view=slideview
- ↑ https://www.edutopia.org/article/do-dyslexia-fonts-actually-work
- ↑ http://dyslexia.yale.edu/resources/parents/what-parents-can-do/developing-a-foundation-for-reading/
- ↑ http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/professionals/dyslexia-school/strategies-for-teachers
- ↑ http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/professionals/dyslexia-school/strategies-for-teachers
- ↑ http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/professionals/dyslexia-school/strategies-for-teachers
- ↑ http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/parents/learn-about-dyslexia/dyslexia-testing/what-to-expect-in-dyslexia-evaluation
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/dyslexia.html
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/iep.html
- ↑ https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Dyslexia%20in%20the%20IEP%206.3_accessible%208.1.pdf
- ↑ https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/qa-how-do-you-teach-a-child-with-dyslexia-to-read
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