▶️ HOW TO SUPPORT A CHILD WITH DYSLEXIA AT HOME

Supporting a child with dyslexia at home can be challenging, but also rewarding. Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects how people read, write, spell, and pronounce words. It is not a sign of low intelligence or poor vision, but rather a difference in how the brain processes language. Dyslexia can make learning difficult, but with the right support and intervention, children with dyslexia can improve their skills and achieve their potential.

Here are some strategies that you can use to help your child with dyslexia at home:

1). Read Together

– Reading with your child every day can help them develop their reading skills and confidence.

• You can choose books that are appropriate for their reading level, interest, and age.

• You can also use audiobooks, text-to-speech software, or graphic novels to make reading more accessible and enjoyable.

• You can ask questions, make predictions, and discuss the main ideas and themes of the text.

• You can also praise your child for their efforts and achievements, and encourage them to read for fun and pleasure.

2). Focus on Phonics and Phonological Awareness

– Phonics is the relationship between sounds and letters, and phonological awareness is the ability to manipulate and identify sounds in words. These skills are essential for reading and spelling, and they are often challenging for children with dyslexia.

• You can help your child practice these skills by using structured, systematic, and multisensory programs that teach them how to connect sounds and letters, blend sounds into words, and segment words into sounds.

• You can also use games, songs, rhymes, and puzzles to make learning fun and engaging.

3). Repeat and Review

– Children with dyslexia may need more time and practice to master new skills and concepts. You can help your child by repeating and reviewing the material they learn at school or in tutoring sessions.

• You can use flashcards, worksheets, quizzes, or online apps to reinforce their learning.

• You can also use repeated reading, which is a technique that involves reading the same passage multiple times to improve reading fluency and comprehension.

• You can also use music, rhythm, or movement to help your child remember and recall information.

4). Create a Nurturing and Supportive Environment

– Learning can be stressful and frustrating for children with dyslexia, especially if they face difficulties, challenges, or failures.

• You can help your child by creating a nurturing and supportive environment at home, where they feel safe, comfortable, and valued.

• You can do this by providing them with a quiet and organized space to study, giving them clear and concise instructions, and offering them choices and options.

• You can also show them empathy, patience, and respect, and listen to their feelings and concerns.

• You can also celebrate their strengths, talents, and achievements, and help them develop a positive and growth mindset.

– These are some of the strategies that you can use to help your child with dyslexia at home. You can also consult with your child's teachers, tutors, or therapists, and ask for their advice and recommendations. You can also seek support from other parents, caregivers, or professionals who have experience with dyslexia. You can also access various resources and information online, such as Understood.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR CHILDREN WITH DYSLEXIA

– Assistive technology is any device, software, or system that helps people with dyslexia overcome their challenges and enhance their learning. There are many types of assistive technology that can help children with dyslexia in different areas, such as reading, writing, spelling, and math.

– Some of the most common and effective assistive technologies for children with dyslexia are:

🔅 Text-to-speech

– This is a software that converts written text into spoken words, allowing children with dyslexia to listen to the text instead of reading it. TTS can help children with dyslexia improve their reading comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary. TTS can also help children with dyslexia access various types of texts, such as books, articles, websites, and emails. One of the best apps for TTS is Voice Dream Reader, which allows children to customize the voice, speed, font, color, and highlight of the text.

🔅 Speech-to-text

– This is a software that converts spoken words into written text, allowing children with dyslexia to write without typing or spelling. STT can help children with dyslexia express their ideas, complete assignments, and take notes. STT can also help children with dyslexia improve their grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary. One of the best apps for STT is Google Docs Voice Typing, which allows children to dictate their text using a microphone and edit it using voice commands.

🔅 Audio Books

– These are books that are read aloud by a human or a computer voice, allowing children with dyslexia to enjoy reading without struggling with decoding and comprehension. Audio books can help children with dyslexia improve their listening skills, vocabulary, and motivation. Audio books can also expose children with dyslexia to a variety of genres, topics, and levels of difficulty. One of the best services for audio books is Learning Ally, which provides access to a large library of audiobooks designed for children with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.

🔅 Optical Readers

– These are devices that scan printed text and convert it into digital text, allowing children with dyslexia to read it on a screen or listen to it using TTS. Optical readers can help children with dyslexia access printed materials, such as books, magazines, newspapers, and menus. Optical readers can also help children with dyslexia adjust the size, color, and contrast of the text. One of the best devices for optical reading is the OrCam Read, which is a handheld device that can read any printed text aloud with a simple point.

🔅 Smart Pens

– These are pens that record audio and sync it with written notes, allowing children with dyslexia to review and recall information. Smart pens can help children with dyslexia improve their note-taking, studying, and memory skills. Smart pens can also help children with dyslexia organize and share their notes. One of the best devices for smart penning is the Livescribe Echo, which is a pen that can record audio and link it to handwritten notes on a special paper.

🔅 Grammar Check Software

– This is a software that checks and corrects grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors in written text, allowing children with dyslexia to improve their writing quality and accuracy. Grammar check software can help children with dyslexia avoid common mistakes, learn from their errors, and enhance their confidence. Grammar check software can also help children with dyslexia improve their style, tone, and clarity of writing. One of the best apps for grammar checking is Grammarly, which can detect and fix errors in real time and provide suggestions and explanations.

🔅 Magnification and Tracking Supports

– These are tools that enlarge and highlight text on a screen, allowing children with dyslexia to read more comfortably and efficiently. Magnification and tracking supports can help children with dyslexia reduce eye strain, increase focus, and follow the text more easily. Magnification and tracking supports can also help children with dyslexia customize the appearance and layout of the text. One of the best apps for magnification and tracking is ClaroView, which can change the color, contrast, and size of the text and the background.

🔅 Amplification Systems

– These are devices that amplify the sound of a speaker's voice, allowing children with dyslexia to hear and understand the instructions and information more clearly. Amplification systems can help children with dyslexia improve their listening and comprehension skills, especially in noisy or crowded environments. Amplification systems can also help children with dyslexia participate more actively and confidently in class discussions and presentations. One of the best devices for amplification is the Roger Pen, which is a wireless microphone that can transmit the speaker's voice to a receiver worn by the child.

– These are some of the assistive technologies that can help children with dyslexia in their learning and development. However, these are not the only ones, and there may be other tools and devices that suit your child's needs and preferences better. You can consult with your child's teachers, tutors, or therapists, and ask for their recommendations and guidance.

Remember that assistive technology is not a substitute for instruction and intervention, but a supplement that can make learning easier and more enjoyable for your child.