Dyslexia – What Parents and Nannies Need to Know

Learning disabilities affect between 5% and 10% of American students; the most common of these disorders is dyslexia. For parents and nannies of dyslexic students, understanding and helping kids to manage their disability can sometimes be a confusing and frustrating process. When parents and nannies are able to help dyslexic children learn effectively, it’s rewarding for everyone.

Recognizing the Signs of Dyslexia and Getting a Diagnosis

Impairment resulting from dyslexia can have mild to severe effects, causing the signs to vary from case to case. In early childhood, some of the most commonly reported signs of dyslexia are delayed speech and difficulty with pronunciation, trouble connecting letters with their phonetic sounds and problems mastering basic skills such as the alphabet, colors and numbers. There is also a correlation between dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, with up to one quarter of dyslexic students also showing marked signs of ADHD. As kids get older, this can manifest through consistent trouble with schoolwork, difficulty following a sequence of instructions and confusion when telling left

from right.

In many cases, signs of dyslexia go unnoticed until a child begins school. Dyslexia has no affect on a child’s intelligence level, only the way that he receives and processes information. As a result, parents may be surprised to discover that the bright, articulate child they’re raising has marked difficulty learning fundamental skills. Early detection and assistance are of the utmost importance, as emotional problems can result from feelings of failure and frustration that accompany the disorder. As difficulty learning to read becomes more obvious, a dyslexic child can feel isolated from and inferior to their classmates. Parents, caregivers and teachers often mistakenly believe that he’s lazy or disinterested in schoolwork; the resulting punishments can cause him to act out even further as he feels that he’s being punished for something he cannot control.

Managing and Thriving With Dyslexia

There is no known cure for dyslexia, though early intervention and a strong support system can greatly improve a child’s performance and confidence level. Parents, educators and caregivers that work with the child and his learning specialist have a significant impact on the child’s performance.

The majority of dyslexic children are capable of learning to read and can remain in a traditional classroom setting, though they will invariably require some degree of assistance and coaching. Because dyslexia is recognized and covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act, impaired students are entitled to additional support and the allotment of extra time to complete tests and quizzes. Parents and nannies should be as vocal as necessary when it comes to ensuring that a child is receiving the help he needs.

Conclusion

The most beneficial thing that the parents and nannies of a dyslexic child can do is to educate themselves as much as possible on the subject. Being properly informed is the first step to ensuring that a child has access to every available resource and is being properly accommodated in a classroom setting. Learning about dyslexia can also help parents and nannies to avoid losing their temper with a struggling child, and to understand the importance of positive feedback. By figuring out what works best for the child and providing an unwavering support system, you can help to ensure that he reaches his full potential.

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