Following last week's article which defined dyslexia and looked at signs and symptoms of the condition, today, founder and chairman of the Dyslexia Association, Cathryn Kelshall will look at what can be done to help those who are dyslexic.
You can't prevent dyslexia but there are many activities that you can do which will help your dyslexic child. Prevention is better than cure so get in there early, but do remember to have fun. If you get too serious and anxious, you'll get resistance and it just won't work.
Preschool
�2 If your two-year old is not talking, contact a speech and language therapist.
�2 Spend extra time on language games and listening to stories.
�2 Games that help co-ordination such as clapping games, hopping, catching a beanbag are important.
�2 Have eyes and ears tested.
School age
�2 If your child is taking longer than his classmates to learn his letters, have sight and hearing tested.
�2 Dyslexics learn differently. Make sure that you find a tutor who has been trained in specific methods for teaching dyslexics. Contact the Dyslexia Association for screening and referral to a tutor in your area.
�2 Read to your child daily. The Dyslexia Association has a library of audio for children. Audio books are also available from the library.
�2 Give constant positive reinforcement.
�2 Provide time for activities your child excels in.
�2 Remember a dyslexic has to put more effort into written work than his classmates. Ask the school if you can scribe some of his homework for him, or advocate for less written homework.
Secondary school
�2 Put your child's textbooks on your phone, tablet or any other device for him to listen to. You can also read the chapter to him before he covers it in class.
�2 Proofread his work and help him make a checklist of errors he makes so that he can start checking for them himself.
�2 Help him with organisational skills. For example, paste a timetable on the bedroom door so that he remembers his games kit, or the science project that is due.
�2 Praise effort.
Adult
�2 Blame your dyslexia for your difficulty with words but remember to thank it for your talents with visual images and your excellent spatial intelligence.
�2 Look into voice to print software.
�2 Ask your workplace for the technology you need.
�2 Search out dyslexic colleagues and discuss coping strategies.
�2 For more information don't hesitate to call the Dyslexia Association at 625-5869 or visit us: www.dyslexiatt.org.