This is how dyslexia affects a child’s life

When we think of dyslexia, reading and spelling difficulties often come to mind first. However, dyslexia’s impact extends far beyond these academic challenges. Dyslexic children also often face challenges following instructions, managing their time effectively, and organizing their thoughts–life issues they may likely have to contend with throughout their lives. Let’s dive into how dyslexia influences life skills, social development, and everyday experiences and explore practical strategies to support your child.

Understanding Dyslexia

Definition and Overview

Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that primarily affects reading and writing skills. It’s not about intelligence; rather, it’s about how the brain processes language. Many people mistakenly believe dyslexia is simply about reversing letters, but it’s much more complex. Dyslexia can manifest in various ways, including difficulties with phonological processing, whole-word reversals, advanced phonics, decoding, and fluency. These challenges can make it hard for children to recognize words, spell correctly, and read with ease.

Learn more:

• What is Dyslexia?
• How To Solve Letter Reversals

Academic Challenges Beyond Reading and Spelling

How dyslexia affects Writing Skills

Children with dyslexia often face difficulties with spelling, grammar, and organizing their thoughts on paper. Many of our customers tell us how their children can tell the most imaginative stories verbally, but when it comes to writing them down, they struggle to get their ideas across.

Supporting students with dyslexia in their writing endeavors can be transformative. Experimenting with assistive technology, such as voice-to-text tools, allows students to express their ideas more freely without the barriers of traditional writing. Another effective teaching strategy we recommend is scribing, or partnership writing, in which an adult writes down the student’s spoken thoughts, which the student then copies into their handwriting. This process can be broken up over multiple days if needed, allowing students to experience the internal “hearing” of their thoughts as they write. These strategies not only improve their writing skills but also boost their confidence and academic success.

Mathematical Challenges

Math can present additional hurdles for children with dyslexia. Dyslexia can make word problems, sequencing, and remembering mathematical facts particularly challenging. While some students excel at understanding math concepts, they may struggle with word problems because of the reading component. To support these students, use manipulatives and incorporate multisensory approaches to teach math concepts, reinforcing learning through regular practice and repetition.

 

How dyslexia affects Self-Esteem and Confidence

Academic struggles can take a toll on a child’s self-esteem. They might feel less capable than their peers, leading to frustration and low confidence. Celebrating small victories and focusing on their strengths can make a big difference. Positive reinforcement and encouragement can help build a child’s confidence and resilience. It’s important for parents and teachers—and especially parent-teachers—to recognize and celebrate the unique strengths and talents of children with dyslexia.

Social Interactions

How Dyslexia Affects Everyday Life Skills

Time Management and Organization Skills

Managing time and staying organized can be particularly challenging for children with dyslexia, and these difficulties often persist into adulthood. Teaching time management and organizational skills early on can set the foundation for future success, enabling children to navigate both academic and personal challenges more effectively.

Here are some strategies to help your child develop essential life skills that will benefit them beyond the classroom. The goal for all the strategies on the following list is to teach children to do these things on their own in time, encouraging the transition from doing it for your child to teaching them to do it themselves.

• • Create a Visual Calendar: A visual calendar can be a powerful tool for children with dyslexia. Use color-coded sections for different subjects, activities, and tasks. This visual representation helps them see their schedule at a glance and understand what needs to be done and when. Including pictures or stickers can make the calendar even more accessible and engaging.
  • Break Tasks into Manageable Steps: Large tasks can be overwhelming, so breaking them down into smaller, more manageable steps can make them more approachable. For example, if a child has a project due, break it down into steps like researching, outlining, drafting, and revising. This not only makes the task seem less daunting but also provides a clear roadmap to follow.
  • Use Checklists and To-Do Lists: Checklists and to-do lists can help children keep track of their tasks and feel a sense of accomplishment as they check off completed items. Encourage them to prioritize tasks by importance and deadline, which can help them manage their time more effectively.
  • Set Timers and Alarms: Timers and alarms can be useful for managing time during tasks. For instance, setting a timer for 20 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break can help maintain concentration and prevent burnout. Alarms can also remind children of upcoming tasks or transitions between activities.

• Organize Materials and Workspace: A clutter-free and well-organized workspace can significantly improve focus and productivity. Provide storage solutions like bins, folders, and shelves to organise materials. Labeling these storage areas can help children quickly find what they need and put things away correctly.
• Teach Time Management Skills: Teaching children how to estimate how long tasks will take and how to allocate their time effectively is crucial. Help them practice this skill by timing different activities and discussing how to plan their day. Over time, they will develop a better sense of how to manage their time independently.
• Encourage Routine and Consistency: Establishing a consistent daily routine can help children with dyslexia feel more secure and in control. Consistent wake-up times, meal times, and study periods create a predictable structure that can reduce anxiety and improve time management.

How Dyslexia Affects Short-term and Working Memory Skills

Children with dyslexia often face difficulties with short-term and working memory, which can impact their ability to follow multistep instructions, retain information, and stay organized. These memory challenges can make traditional learning methods less effective. However, the Orton–Gillingham approach we use in our All About Reading and All About Spelling curricula offers a structured and supportive way to address these issues.

Widely recognized as the best way to teach children with dyslexia, the Orton-Gillingham model emphasizes simplified, focused learning that is sequential and mastery-based and uses multisensory instruction. This sight, sound, and touch multisensory engagement helps strengthen memory by creating multiple pathways in the brain for information retrieval.

Read more:

• The Power of the Orton-Gillingham Approach
• Improving Your Child’s Working Memory
• Help Your Child’s Memory (Ebook)

Directionality and Coordination

Some children with dyslexia struggle to distinguish left from right, which can affect navigation and physical coordination. Simple activities like playing directional games or using a compass can improve these skills.

Leveraging Strengths and Advantages

Creative and Outside-the-Box Thinking

Many students with dyslexia excel in creative thinking and problem-solving. They often see connections that others might miss. Encouraging creative activities like drawing, building, or storytelling can help them shine. These activities can provide an outlet for self-expression and boost children’s confidence. Recognizing and nurturing these strengths can help children with dyslexia feel valued and capable.

Famous individuals with dyslexia, such as Steve Jobs, Agatha Christie, Leonardo da Vinci, Richard Branson, and Steven Speilberg, have demonstrated extraordinary creativity and innovation. Sharing stories of these successful figures can inspire your child and show them that dyslexia can be a source of unique strengths and talents.

Building Resilience

Overcoming the challenges of dyslexia can build resilience and determination. Discussing the trials and accomplishments of successful individuals with dyslexia can inspire your child and show that they can achieve great things, too. Role models and mentors who have navigated similar challenges can provide valuable guidance and motivation. Building resilience is a lifelong skill that will help children confidently face future obstacles.

 

Resources

As a parent of a child with dyslexia, it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Many parents face similar challenges, and a wealth of support is available. Seek information and resources on our site and online to better understand dyslexia and effective teaching strategies. Knowledge is power, and the more you know, the better you can support your child.

 

Conclusion

Dyslexia affects many aspects of a child’s life, but with the right support and strategies, they can overcome these challenges and succeed. Focus on their strengths, celebrate their efforts, and provide a nurturing environment. Remember, you’re not alone on this journey—plenty of resources and support are available to help you and your child.

 

How does dyslexia most affect your child?

 

To read how to teach spelling and reading in 30 minutes a day, click here.

Speechify is an app that can help dyslexic children as it reads online text. Here is my affiliate link.