How to Tell Your Child They Have Dyslexia – Guidance from a Perth Child Psychologist

Many parents can feel unsure how to tell their child they have Dyslexia.  They may not feel confident about how to approach the topic or they might feel apprehensive regarding how their child will react to their diagnosis.  Children often sense they learn differently to others and can feel relieved to find that there is a name to explain why they have such trouble reading. Many parents ask how to tell your child they have dyslexia in a way that feels calm, honest, and supportive. 

Talk about how your child brain works

Emphasise that their brain works differently.  Focus on how their brain is wired to be good at certain tasks while struggling with others, such as reading. Emphasise that dyslexia has nothing to do with how smart they are.  Explain that Dyslexia is just a word that means they have difficulty with reading and that it makes some tasks, like sounding out words or remembering letter sounds, harder.

Identify and nurture your child’s strengths

Discuss with your child that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. Point out your child's talents and strengths in areas where they may do well.  For some children this may be sport, art, music, or technology.  For other children, it may be that they are a good friend to others, are a kind person or they are good at making others laugh.   Acknowledge that literacy tasks such as reading and spelling can be difficult for them whilst ensuring you highlight their strengths in other areas like creativity or problem-solving.

Share stories of others with Dyslexia

Explain to your child that Dyslexia is a relatively common learning disorder.  You or your child may know other children in their school who have it.  There may also be family members who have Dyslexia given the condition is often genetic.  There are also many famous and successful people with Dyslexia including important historical figures.

Discuss how to help them with their Dyslexia

Reassure your child that they will continue to progress and improve with their literacy and reading skills.  It may mean they have to work harder than their age peers who don’t have Dyslexia.  Discuss strategies that are in place or will be implemented to help them such as obtaining a specialist literacy tutor or being provided with additional supports at school.

Ensure you continue to have conversations with your child about their Dyslexia

Discussing Dyslexia with your child will most likely be an ongoing dialogue and be prepared to have more than one conversation with them about it.  You may need to return to the subject many times over the coming years to answer questions and address any concerns your child may have as they get older.

Butterfly Psychology for Kids conduct Dyslexia diagnosis with children and adolescents.  Recommendations are provided to support your child at home and school including guidance on how to tell your child about their diagnosis. 

If you would like to talk with a child psychologist about supporting your child, you are welcome to get in touch.

Source:

Dyslexia Ireland. Talking to your child about Dyslexia https://dyslexia.ie/info-hub/how-parents-can-help/talking/

The Yale Centre for Dyslexia and Creativity. Talking with your child about Dyslexia https://dyslexia.yale.edu/resources/parents/what-parents-can-do/talking-with-your-child-about-dyslexia

Dyslexia diagnosis assessment Perth.