Supporting Children with Dyslexia: Learning Styles & Strategies

Supporting children with dyslexia requires combining visual learning techniques, educational advocacy, and therapeutic interventions to address both academic challenges and emotional impacts like anxiety and low self-esteem that affect up to 20% of the population.

Watching your bright child struggle with reading can feel heartbreaking, but dyslexia doesn't define their potential. Discover practical learning strategies and therapeutic support approaches that help children thrive academically while building confidence and emotional resilience.

Dyslexia In Children: Understanding Different Learning Styles and Support Strategies

Learning disorders such as dyslexia can have a significant impact on a child’s educational journey both at school and home. This condition primarily affects reading and writing abilities but can manifest in various ways. Parents, caregivers, teachers, and mental health professionals often seek effective ways to support children with dyslexia across different settings. With appropriate support systems, children can thrive while developing positive mental health and self-esteem. If your child has dyslexia, consulting with a licensed clinical social worker through ReachLink can provide valuable guidance on offering effective support.

Understanding Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that may impact as much as 20% of the population and represents approximately 80% to 90% of all learning disabilities. Symptoms typically become noticeable during elementary school, particularly in first or second grade. Dyslexia affects how individuals connect sounds with words and how those words are written or read. Those with dyslexia often struggle with reading comprehension and may find it challenging to construct sentences or spell words correctly based on their phonetic sounds.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), dyslexia is classified as a “specific learning disorder (dyslexia subtype).” Common symptoms include:

• Unexpected learning difficulties despite normal development in other areas
• Early signs appearing as early as preschool
• Difficulty understanding the relationship between letters and sounds
• Challenges with reading fluency and recognizing previously learned words
• Normal intelligence
• Persistence of symptoms for at least six months despite targeted educational support
• Slow or inaccurate reading aloud
• Spelling difficulties
• Challenges learning foreign languages
• Learning at a different pace than typical readers

Dyslexia is categorized as a neurodevelopmental learning disorder alongside conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While these conditions are typically ruled out during the diagnostic process for dyslexia, they can sometimes co-occur. Some people prefer to view dyslexia as a form of neurodivergence rather than a disability, though this characterization remains a personal choice.

How Dyslexia Affects Children

Dyslexia is most commonly identified in school-age children and often presents more severely during childhood when reading and writing skills are being developed. Some children may show early signs before entering school, such as difficulty writing their names, understanding rhymes, or pronouncing common words. They might reverse letters when writing or learning the alphabet, and some children may not learn the alphabet until they begin formal education.

Children with dyslexia may fall behind their peers in reading comprehension and writing abilities. Despite being intelligent and excelling in other areas, they might receive lower grades due to these challenges. While some children benefit from specialized reading instruction, others continue to struggle and may face being held back or treated differently from their peers.

When classmates notice these difficulties, children with dyslexia can become targets for bullying, leading to embarrassment and potentially causing them to lose motivation to continue developing reading and writing skills. As they progress through middle and high school, they may develop various coping strategies, though they might continue to face unique challenges.

The Diverse Presentations of Dyslexia

Dyslexia manifests differently from person to person. Some children might struggle primarily with reading aloud, while others find spelling words by sounding them out mentally more challenging.

Dyslexia affects diverse groups of children, though certain populations may be underrepresented in diagnosis rates. A 2023 study suggested that many African American students with dyslexia may be overlooked in schools. Similarly, children with other conditions such as autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities might not receive adequate support for dyslexia as their other diagnoses often take precedence.

It’s worth noting that dyslexia isn’t the only specific learning disorder in the DSM-5. Dyscalculia (difficulty with mathematics) and dysgraphia (difficulty with writing) are also categorized as specific learning disorders. These conditions can similarly lead to frustration and academic challenges, though they tend to receive less attention and treatment compared to dyslexia.

Neurodivergence and Dyslexia

Neurodiversity refers to variations in how people perceive and interact with the world. This concept suggests that certain brain differences might not be disabilities but rather represent different ways of learning and functioning.

Neurodevelopmental conditions including autism, ADHD, and dyslexia are often considered forms of neurodivergence. Some argue that dyslexia would only be considered a disability in educational systems that fail to accommodate different learning styles and instead force children into standardized learning approaches.

For example, children with dyslexia often demonstrate exceptional abilities in art and other forms of intelligence. While reading and writing are valued skills in modern society, they haven’t always been considered essential, and many individuals can lead successful, fulfilling lives and careers without perfect language comprehension.

Supporting Your Child with Dyslexia

Providing effective support to a child with dyslexia involves advocacy, education, and unconditional love. Consider these supportive strategies:

Advocate for Them at School

Children with dyslexia may face barriers when educators don’t understand the reasons behind their academic challenges. Some might be disciplined for their difficulties or have their intelligence questioned.

It’s important to remember that dyslexia does not reflect intelligence. Advocating for your child might involve securing a 504 plan, individual education plan (IEP), or case management team. Communication with teachers and counselors about your child’s diagnosis and effective support strategies is crucial. Many schools offer specific resources for children with learning differences.

Acknowledge Their Efforts

Praise your child for their achievements, regardless of the area in which they excel or their academic grades. Recognize their hard work and persistence in learning. Express your pride and ongoing support for their journey.

Value Character Over Academic Performance

Children are often recognized primarily for academic achievement, with rewards commonly tied to grades. However, children with dyslexia may struggle to receive such recognition at school. Parents can support their children by highlighting their strengths in other areas, such as artistic ability or musical talent. Equally important is acknowledging positive character traits like empathy, kindness, or humor.

Develop Helpful Learning Strategies

Adults with dyslexia can provide valuable insights into effective learning approaches. Consider joining dyslexia support forums and social media groups to learn from those with lived experience. These communities often share practical strategies that you can teach your child. Learning from individuals who personally experience dyslexia may prove more beneficial than relying solely on information from those without the condition.

Use Visual Learning Techniques

Many people with dyslexia find it helpful to associate words with visual cues rather than sounds. For instance, they might connect certain words with specific color schemes or pair words with images representing their meaning. Mind maps and anchor charts can also be effective learning tools.

Seek Specialized Support

Working with a tutor or reading specialist experienced in supporting children with dyslexia can be extremely beneficial. Schools may offer customized education plans for students with learning differences. These specialized approaches can help children succeed academically without being held to inappropriate standards.

Appropriate accommodations allow children to progress through school without the constant fear of failure. Professional support, including therapy with licensed clinical social workers, can help children manage the emotional aspects of their educational experience.

Diagnosis and Support for Dyslexia

Dyslexia is considered a lifelong condition without a cure. Diagnosis typically involves psychological testing for dyslexia indicators, specialist interviews, and observations from teachers and others in the child’s life.

Though dyslexia persists throughout life, various approaches can help children understand their learning style, improve reading performance, and develop coping strategies. Therapy can be particularly valuable, as children with dyslexia face higher risks of experiencing:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Social anxiety
• Stress and burnout
• Low self-esteem
• Emotional distress
• Behavioral challenges
• Bullying

If you notice signs of emotional distress in your child, connecting them with a licensed clinical social worker through ReachLink can provide essential support.

Mental Health Support for Parents and Children

Supporting a child with a learning difference can be challenging, and parents may question whether they’re providing adequate support. Speaking with a licensed clinical social worker can be beneficial in these situations. For families facing barriers to traditional therapy—such as busy schedules or financial constraints—telehealth services through ReachLink offer a convenient and accessible alternative.

ReachLink’s telehealth platform allows clients to access therapy at times that fit their schedule, including outside standard business hours. Our licensed clinical social workers provide personalized support to help both parents and children develop coping strategies, improve emotional regulation, and build resilience.

According to a 2021 study, telehealth platforms can effectively support parents, helping them develop emotional regulation skills while reducing stress and burnout associated with parenting challenges.

Conclusion

Dyslexia in children can present in various ways and may contribute to challenges such as diminished self-esteem, bullying, and mental health concerns. Parents can support their children by celebrating their achievements, appreciating their personal qualities, and connecting them with mental health professionals experienced in helping children with learning differences. Through ReachLink’s telehealth services, both parents and children can access the support they need to navigate the challenges and embrace the unique strengths associated with dyslexia.