TELLING A CHILD WHAT DYSLEXIA IS

PART 1 OF TALKING WITH A CHILD ABOUT DYSLEXIA

Children are more scared of the unknown than the known. How a child is presented with information also informs how they react. Some children who have dyslexia feel that reading is hard. When those children hear the reason that it is hard is because they have dyslexia, many feel a sense of relief.

Personally, I have had many kids proudly tell me that they have dyslexia. When I ask them what that means, they often say it means that my brain is really smart and creative. I am like __insert names of famous people who have dyslexia______.

Of course, you know your child best; so, please use the below comments as simply suggestions.

STICK WITH THE FACTS WHEN TALKING WITH YOUR CHILD

Before you start…how do you and your child usually speak to one another? Is it in the car on the way to school? At dinner time? Pick one of these times to have this conversation with your child.

While you might have concerns and misconceptions about dyslexia and what you recall from your personal life, it is important to stick with the facts when speaking with your child so that any negative feelings or fears you may have do not pass down to your child.

START BY TALKING ABOUT HOW THE BRAIN WORKS WHEN READING

First, it’s helpful to start this conversation as you may any other conversation… “Hey, you know how you’ve been working on reading? Well I learned some new facts about reading and how the brain works, I think it’s so interesting! May I share what I learned with you?”

THEN, TELL YOUR CHILD WHAT DYSLEXIA IS

Continuing the conversation… “When we read, we use either the left side or right side of our brain. Some people use the left side. Some people use the right side of the brain, which makes them super special! The term dyslexic describes people who use the right side of their brain. These people have dyslexia, which means that they use the right side of their brain to read.

DYSLEXIA IS A GIFT

Next, continue the conversation with highlighting the dyslexic community… “In fact, many of the most successful people in the world are dyslexic. Albert Einstein taught us about relativity and he was dyslexic. Mozart, who had dyslexia, made some beautiful music that people listen to today! Thomas Edison, who was dyslexic, invented the light bulb! Steve Jobs, who was dyslexic, invented the iPhone. People who have dyslexia are super creative and often have ultra strong brains!"

As a heads up, your child may then ask you what side of their brain they use to read. If they do, feel free to share that no one actually knows what side their brain uses unless they take a test to find out.

Note: If your child has taken a test to see if they were dyslexic, we talk more about this on the next page...

NOW THAT YOUR CHILD KNOWS WHAT DYSLEXIA IS, CLICK HERE TO GO TO PART 2 "HOW TO TELL A CHILD THEY HAVE DYSLEXIA"

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