Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects the reading skills of an individual. Children with dyslexia experience difficulty in recognizing new words, or breaking them down into smaller chunks. Kids with dyslexia may compensate by memorizing words, but they will have difficulty in recognizing new words.
Dyslexia can be mild or severe. Difficulty in reading could be more of a problem than spelling. The same thing is true for the strengths of dyslexic children, which may vary from one individual to the next.
Generally when people find out their loving child or student has dyslexia, the whole focus is on what “they cannot perform†and an effective plan is designed to bridge the gap. Unfortunately, a comprehensive instructional plan is missing: knowing the dyslexic child’s strengths. Identifying the strengths and interests of a dyslexic child and then creating an effective plan around both areas is important to building a successful instructional plan.
Planning for someone with a learning disability can be seen as building a dream home. Parents and instructors need to look at unique strengths as the foundation of the house and build reading skills upon these strengths.
Effective Ways to Identify Your Dyslexic Child’s Strengths and Interests
While kids with dyslexia can have learning difficulties they can also be gifted in unique ways. Parents and instructors can support children with learning disabilities by helping a dyslexic child become aware of the strengths they have from the way they process information.Â
People with learning differences have a general tendency to not acknowledge what they can do well. Lack of confidence makes it even harder for them to determine these strengths. Knowing those unique strengths helps you enhance your dyslexic child’s self-awareness and confidence level.
Know Your Dyslexic Child’s Interests
Sometimes strengths come out as your dyslexic child explores interests. Choose different ways to help your dyslexic child follow his/her passion and find new strengths. Always remember that finding strengths can take some time. Your dyslexic child might not be good at something right away, and that’s not a problem. Having a “growth mindset†is important for your child with dyslexia.
Help Your Dyslexic Child Identify Strengths and Interests
To identify the strenghts and interests of your child try to make a “strengths chain†with your child. It is an effective way that lets your dyslexic child recognize strengths in a tangible. You can also design an accomplishment box for your dyslexic child. Adding an accomplishment box is a fun activity for kids to see what they are doing well and enhance their interests.
Discuss Strengths
Having an open discussion about your child’s strengths can help both you and your dyslexic child see strengths. Always keep in mind that your only aim is to listen and learn from your child. If you turn this discussion into an advice-giving long session, chances are your child with dyslexia feel frustrated and will not be as open in future conversations. Let your dyslexic child know that you value his words and understanding.
If you have been exploring effective ways to help your child with dyslexia, you have probably heard the term “Orton Gillingham.â€Â
Orton Gillingham is commonly used to teach people with dyslexia. Orton Gillingham – a highly structured approach particularly designed to help struggling readers by teaching the right connection between letters and sounds. The initial step is assessing a student to determine his reading abilities and areas of strength and weakness. This can be done by a highly experienced instructor trained in the Orton Gillingham approach.
Many instructors use effective Orton Gillingham techniques in their teaching instruction. But an experienced Orton Gillingham Tutor uses this exceptional approach more comprehensively with children who have dyslexia and other reading problems.
Children with dyslexia are then taught in small groups with other students at similar skill levels. Teachers implement a highly structured approach that teaches reading skills in a particular order. This particular order is based on the understanding level of how students naturally develop language.
Despite not being high achievers in certain areas such as reading or spelling, children with dyslexia can excel in other activities. How they perform their work efficiently can often provide them with a great benefit.
Children with dyslexia are more dedicated to succeed than most children in their age. In fact dyslexia can be a motivating factor in a child’s attitude towards work, giving them a high level of patience with different tasks.
A child with dyslexia often succeeds in lessons that encourage creativity and the use of imagination, such as art. This freedom of expression allows engaging personal responses to activities.
Final Thoughts
Dyslexia can result in frustration, avoidance and low self-esteem. One of the best ways to support a child with dyslexia is to encourage those activities that they like, whether it is music, art, joining a sports team or anything else that helps build their confidence level. Students with learning differences can benefit from the Orton Gillingham approach, thanks to the emphasis it places on activities customized to the needs of each dyslexic child.
