Focusing on Dyslexic Needs

By Heather Johnson

They’re as intelligent as their classmates but when confronted with a book and asked to read, they shrink back because the words don’t seem to make sense. They’re confused about directions, about left and right and front and behind. They interchange their b’s and d’s and have trouble with spellings. Though they’re disorganized, they have a sharp brain, one that sponges up knowledge if taught the right way. Dyslexic children are disadvantaged only when they do not have good teachers who care for their special needs.

It’s the responsibility of the parents and teachers to diagnose the disability when the child starts school and is unable to read as well as his/her classmates. Some teachers are blind to the fact that the children are born that way and can’t help themselves, and resort to punishment and insults when they’re not able to produce perfect letters and words like the other kids. Parents must play an active role in getting special help for their child if they find that he/she shows signs of intelligence in every other way but reading and writing when starting first grade. The sooner the diagnosis, the more improvement the child achieves.

Teachers who work with dyslexic children know that they learn well through audio, visual and kinesthetic methods. Some of them are able to listen and learn while others need visual clues and guides. Yet others are able to learn with a sense of touch. Each child is different, and a good teacher knows and adapts accordingly. Visual aids include pictures and maps, audio aids comprise tapes and oral lessons while kinesthetic learning methods use letters made of wood and writing down letters in the sand or in the air.

Dyslexic children take a longer than normal time to do homework and must be set work accordingly. Remember to leave instructions written longer on the board. Allow them longer times to complete tests if they’re in a classroom with normal children, and do not deduct marks for spelling mistakes.

Parents can do their bit towards helping their children learn by using a small card held in front of the text to be read so that they are able to follow the lines from left to right and don’t get confused. They can also use bracelets, bangles or watches on their hands to allow them to tell left from right. Taping instructions and homework assignments allows less room for error.

The key to helping children with special needs is to diagnose the problem as early as possible and seek the best help there is. Praise works wonders with such kids who often try harder than their normal counterparts to achieve success. Dyslexic children have been known to achieve great heights and lead successful lives in spite of their reading and writing disabilities.

This post was contributed by Heather Johnson, who writes on the subject of California teaching certificates. She invites your feedback at heatherjohnson2323 at gmail dot com.