How Dyslexia Affects Learning and What You Can Do Next
Your child has just been diagnosed with a Specific Learning Disorder for Reading, otherwise known as dyslexia. But what does this actually mean for their learning, and what should you do next?
It’s likely that your child’s diagnostic report mentioned terms like phonological processing, working memory, or processing speed—but what do these mean, and how do they impact your child’s ability to read and learn? Let’s break them down and explore strategies to help your child succeed.
Understanding How Dyslexia Affects Learning
Dyslexia is not a lack of intelligence or effort—it’s a neurological difference that affects the way the brain processes language. Each child’s experience with dyslexia is unique, but here are some common challenges they may face:
1. Phonological Processing – “Why does my child struggle with sounding out words?”
Phonological processing refers to the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds in words. If your child struggles to match letters to sounds or blend sounds together when reading, this could be a key reason. This difficulty makes it harder to decode words, which is why reading can feel slow and frustrating.
2. Working Memory – “Why does my child forget instructions so easily?”
Working memory helps us hold and manipulate information in our minds. If your child struggles with remembering multi-step directions, recalling spelling rules, or keeping track of what they’ve just read, working memory challenges could be at play.
3. Processing Speed – “Why does reading take my child so long?”
Processing speed is the rate at which the brain takes in and responds to information. A slower processing speed means that even when a child understands a concept, it might take them longer to read, comprehend, and respond—leading to frustration and fatigue.
4. Reading Fluency and Comprehension – “My child can read the words, but they don’t seem to understand the story.”
Because decoding takes so much effort, your child might struggle to read fluently, which can affect comprehension. By the time they reach the end of a sentence or paragraph, they may have lost track of the meaning.
5. Self-Esteem and Anxiety – “My child says they hate reading and school.”
When reading feels like a constant struggle, children with dyslexia may feel frustrated, embarrassed, or even begin to believe they aren’t smart. This can impact their confidence, motivation, and emotional well-being.
What You Can Do to Help Your Child Thrive
Now that you understand how dyslexia affects learning, the next step is to find ways to support your child and build their confidence. Here’s where to start:
1. Structured, Multisensory Phonics Instruction
The most effective way to support a dyslexic learner is through structured, evidence-based phonics programs. These programs systematically teach letter-sound relationships using a multisensory approach—engaging sight, sound, touch, and movement to help your child build reading skills.
2. Embrace Assistive Technology
There are many tools that can help your child read and write with greater ease:
- Text-to-Speech (TTS): Reads text aloud, helping with comprehension.
- Audiobooks: Allow your child to enjoy books at their intellectual level without the frustration of decoding.
