Understanding Dyslexia: What Parents Need to Know

Monarch
Oct 6
6 min read

When your child struggles to read, it can stir up worry, frustration, and sometimes even guilt. Many parents wonder whether their child’s difficulties are “just a phase” or if something deeper might be going on. This month is dedicated to increasing understanding about dyslexia, which is a specific learning disorder related to reading. Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences that affects children’s ability to read, write, and spell, and yet it’s often misunderstood. The good news is that with the right understanding and supports, children with dyslexia can thrive academically and emotionally.

This post will guide you through the basics: what dyslexia is, how common it is, what interventions help, and how you as a parent can best support your child.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that primarily affects a person’s ability to read accurately and fluently. It is neurological in origin, meaning it is related to how the brain processes written and spoken language. Children with dyslexia often have difficulty recognizing words, decoding (sounding out) unfamiliar words, and spelling. These challenges are not due to lack of intelligence, poor teaching, or laziness. In fact, many children with dyslexia are highly creative, strong problem-solvers, and capable of deep thinking.

Experts define dyslexia as a condition that results in difficulties with phonological processing (understanding the sounds of language), rapid naming, working memory, and processing speed. These challenges make it harder for children to connect sounds with letters and to automatically recognize words.

Some common signs of dyslexia in school-aged children include:

Difficulty learning letter names and sounds in early grades.
Trouble sounding out words or guessing words based on context or pictures.
Slow, effortful, and sometimes inaccurate reading.
Spelling that doesn’t match typical patterns (e.g., spelling “school” as “skul”).
Difficulty remembering sequences (days of the week, months, math facts).
Avoidance of reading tasks, often due to frustration or embarrassment.

It’s important to note that dyslexia looks different in every child. Some children may have milder challenges and can “compensate” for a while, while others experience significant struggles from the very beginning of school.

How Common is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is the most common learning disability. Research suggests that between 5% and 15% of the population has some form of dyslexia, depending on how strictly it is defined. In school-age populations, estimates indicate that 1 in 5 children may experience reading challenges consistent with dyslexia.

Despite its prevalence, dyslexia is often underdiagnosed or misunderstood. Some children are not identified until middle school or even high school, when the academic demands of reading and writing become more intense. Early identification and intervention, however, are key to helping children succeed.

What Causes Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is not caused by poor teaching, vision problems, or lack of effort. It is related to the way the brain processes language. Studies using brain imaging show that people with dyslexia process reading tasks differently, often with less activation in areas of the brain responsible for phonological processing.

Genetics also play a strong role—dyslexia tends to run in families. If you or another close relative struggled with reading or spelling, it increases the chances that your child might also experience dyslexia.

Helpful Interventions for Dyslexia

The most encouraging fact about dyslexia is that with the right instruction and support, children can make significant progress. Dyslexia cannot be “cured,” but children can learn effective strategies and build their skills so they can succeed academically.

Below are some evidence-based interventions and strategies. Please note that this list is for informational purposes only. If you have specific questions about what program would be the best fit for your child, please contact the professional who has most recently met with them for guidance about their individual needs.

1. Structured Literacy Programs

The gold standard for helping students with dyslexia is an instructional approach often called structured literacy. These programs are systematic, explicit, and multisensory. They teach the structure of language step by step, beginning with sounds (phonemes) and moving to letters, patterns, syllables, and whole words.

Some well-known structured literacy approaches include:

Orton–Gillingham (OG) approach
Wilson Reading System
Barton Reading and Spelling System
Lindamood-Bell programs
SPIRE

These methods are explicit (they teach rules directly), sequential (skills build in order), and multisensory (children see, say, hear, and write as they learn). Research shows that this type of instruction is the most effective way to help students with dyslexia.

2. Phonological Awareness Training

Children with dyslexia often struggle with phonological awareness—the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds in words (for example, knowing that “bat” and “cat” differ by one sound). Explicit practice in breaking apart and blending sounds can help build a stronger foundation for reading.

3. Multisensory Learning

Learning is most effective when multiple senses are engaged. This combination of sight, sound, and touch helps solidify connections in the brain. For example, when teaching the letter “b,” a teacher might:

Have the child say the sound /b/.
Write the letter in sand or shaving cream.
Trace the letter with their finger while saying the sound.

4. Assistive Technology

Technology can be an incredible support for children with dyslexia. Some tools that can make a big difference include:

Text-to-speech software (reads digital text aloud).
Speech-to-text software (lets children dictate their writing instead of typing).
Audiobooks (through services like Learning Ally or Bookshare).
Word prediction tools (that help with spelling and writing).

These tools don’t replace skill-building, but they give children access to grade-level content while they continue to improve their reading skills.

5. Supportive School Accommodations

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 in the U.S., children with dyslexia may qualify for accommodations. These can include:

Extra time on tests.
Reduced homework load.
Oral testing options.
Access to audiobooks or text-to-speech software.
Note-taking assistance.

These supports level the playing field and ensure that dyslexia does not unfairly hold a child back.

How Parents Can Support a Child with Dyslexia

As a parent, you are one of your child’s most important advocates. While schools and teachers play a role, your encouragement, persistence, and belief in your child can make the biggest difference.

Here are ways you can help:

1. Trust Your Instincts

If you notice persistent reading struggles, don’t brush them off as “just a phase.” Early intervention is far more effective than waiting. Request an evaluation from your child’s school or seek a private psychoeducational assessment.

2. Create a Literacy-Friendly Home

Read aloud to your child daily—even after they can read independently.
Provide access to audiobooks.
Encourage writing in fun ways, such as keeping a journal or writing letters to family.
Label items around the house or play word-based games.

3. Encourage Effort, Not Just Results

Children with dyslexia often experience frustration or lowered self-esteem. Praise persistence and celebrate small victories. Instead of saying, “You’re so smart,” you might say, “I love how hard you worked on that word.”

4. Partner with Teachers and Schools

Communicate openly with your child’s teachers. Share what works at home, and ask about strategies being used at school. Attend IEP or 504 meetings prepared with questions and ideas.

5. Build on Strengths

Many children with dyslexia excel in creativity, problem-solving, spatial reasoning, or oral storytelling. Make sure your child has opportunities to shine in areas where they feel confident.

6. Take Care of Emotional Well-Being

Living with dyslexia can be discouraging, especially when children compare themselves to peers. Encourage your child’s self-confidence by highlighting strengths, fostering hobbies, and connecting them with role models who have dyslexia (such as famous authors, entrepreneurs, and scientists).

Common Myths About Dyslexia

Because dyslexia is so widespread, myths often circulate. Clearing up misconceptions can help parents advocate effectively.

Myth: Dyslexia means seeing letters backwards.
Fact: While some children with dyslexia may reverse letters early on, dyslexia is primarily about phonological processing and reading fluency, not vision.
Myth: Dyslexia is rare.
Fact: Dyslexia is very common—up to 20% of students may struggle with it.
Myth: Children with dyslexia just need to try harder.
Fact: Effort is not the problem. Children need specialized instruction, not more of the same.
Myth: Dyslexia goes away with age.
Fact: Dyslexia is lifelong, but with intervention, children can learn to read and write successfully.

Dyslexia may change the way a child learns, but it does not define their potential. With the right combination of early identification, structured interventions, supportive technology, and strong advocacy, children with dyslexia can thrive in school and beyond. As a parent, you play a critical role. By understanding dyslexia, building on your child’s strengths, and ensuring they get the help they need, you are equipping them with tools not only to overcome challenges but also to develop resilience and confidence. Remember: your child’s journey may look different from their peers, but different does not mean less. In fact, many people with dyslexia grow up to be innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders who think outside the box precisely because of the unique ways their brains work.

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