Understanding DYSLEXIA: What Parents Need to Know
BY JULIANNA STEEN I t’s natural for your kid to struggle when learning to read, but what about when they’re still learning the alphabet after the other kids have moved on? “In first grade, I didn’t know all my letters, and everyone else was on sight words, and that’s when we started to realize something was wrong,” Gigi Casadaban, a friend with dyslexia, recalls. Hearing the diagnosis “dyslex- ia” might feel scary or intimidating as a parent, but you’re not alone: Dyslexia is actually pretty common—it affects 20 percent of the population and rep- resents 80–90 percent of all those with learning disabilities. Moreover, early support can make a huge difference. DYSLEXIA DEFINED The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) defines dyslexia as “a specific learning disability that is neurobio- logical in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities.” In essence, your brain jumbles letters, words, and even the command from your parents to go clean your room. “Most people think it’s just a reading or spelling thing,” Casad- aban explains. “Mainly, it’s a short-term memory problem.There’s really no such thing as memorizing something ‘for the test.’ I really do have to learn it.” The IDA explains that though the exact cause of dyslexia is still unclear, it affects the way the brain functions and develops, leading to unexpected deficits in cognitive abilities, reading comprehension, and a “reduced read- ing experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowl- edge.” It’s not about a child’s vision or level of intelligence.TheYale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity claims it is “most commonly due to a difficulty in phonological processing (the apprecia-
DYSLEXIA SUPPORTTEAM “My parents were so supportive and never made me feel embarrassed,” Casadaban shares. “They were a real blessing in that they never hid it or act- ed like we shouldn’t tell people about my dyslexia.” Her advice to parents with a child with dyslexia is to embrace it and support your child—don’t be embarrassed by their dyslexia, because it will lead your kid to be embarrassed by it too. “I know it’s scary to find out something’s wrong with your kid and that you want them to do so well, but they’re going to be fine,” she assures parents. “School’s gonna be tough, but you know, that’s just sort of how it’s going to be, and your kid can do all the things you can do; It might just take them more time to do it. Ultimately they’re going to be great people with all kinds of opportunities for jobs and careers, especially with your help.” While it may feel hard to receive a di- agnosis, consider how freeing it might be for your child. “Before we knew I had dyslexia, it was hard and frustrat- ing for my parents and for me because I couldn’t get it together,” Casadaban says. “After, there was more of a plan, and my school really focused on getting stuff into my long-term memory.” Un- derstanding the problem is the key to figuring out how to take steps to fix it! Try incorporating read-aloud time (even for older kids), using audiobooks and assistive tech (like speech-to-text) and praising your child’s effort, not just their achievements. DYSLEXIA TIMELINE There is no “cure” for dyslexia—it’s a lifelong journey. However, early inter- vention can be instrumental in helping your child learn. “Early intervention or additional direct instruction should begin as early as kindergarten or first
tion of the individual sounds of spoken language), which affects the ability of an individual to speak, read, spell and often, learn a second language.” DYSLEXIA DIAGNOSED Dyslexia is typically diagnosed by a comprehensive exam, which involves “intellectual and academic achievement testing, as well as an assessment of the critical underlying language skills that are closely linked to dyslexia,” accord- ing to the IDA.The testing is more than checking your child’s current reading level: It covers literary challenges like phonological awareness, decoding, reading fluency and comprehension, and rapid naming to evaluate your
child’s cognitive and language processes.
If you believe your child might have dyslexia, begin by talking to their teacher or pediatrician. Signs to watch for include: ■ Difficulty learning letters and sounds ■ Trouble rhyming or remembering sequences ■ Slow, effortful reading If they attend public school, you can also request a free school evaluation under IDEA. Often, if a student fails a dyslexia screening test, they will be referred to the school-based prob- lem-solving team, who will review the student’s data and develop an IEP (Individualized Education Program) plan for the student.The Student Action Plan can include dyslexia specific interven- tions, accommodations like extra time on tests and/or assistive technology to assist the student in accessing content materials. Private testing is also an option, available for a cost. ■ Avoidance of reading aloud ■ Poor spelling despite strong verbal skills
18 OCTOBER 2025 | CINCINNATIFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM
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