How to Help a Child with Dyslexia: A Parent’s 5-StepGuide

As a parent, you have a powerful intuition about your child. You see their brightness, their curiosity, and their unique way of seeing the world. But you may also have a nagging feeling that something is not quite clicking when it comes to reading and writing. Trusting that instinct is the first step.

If you are starting to ask questions, you are not alone. Navigating the path from suspicion to support can feel overwhelming, but it is a journey of empowerment. This guide breaks down the process into five clear, actionable steps for parents on how to help a child with dyslexia at home and at school.

Step 1: How to Tell if Your Child Has Dyslexia

Before you can seek help, you need to know what to look for. Dyslexia presents differently at various ages. While it is not a simple checklist, certain patterns can be significant signs.

Common Signs in Preschoolers:

• Difficulty rhyming or recognizing rhyming words.
• Trouble learning the alphabet or remembering letter names.
• Mispronouncing familiar words or using “baby talk.”
• A family history of reading difficulties.

Common Signs in Elementary School:

• Struggling to sound out simple words
• Confusing letters that look similar (b/d, p/q) or sound similar (f/v).
• Difficulty remembering basic sight words.
• Complaining that reading is hard or avoiding it altogether.

Step 2: How to Get Your Child Tested for Dyslexia

If the signs feel familiar, the next step is getting a clear diagnosis. This is crucial for unlocking the right support. You generally have two paths.

Path 1: Through the Public School System

You have a legal right to request an evaluation from your child’s school.

• How: Submit a formal, written request for a comprehensive evaluation for a specific learning disability. Send this to the school principal or director of special education.
• Who: The school’s team, which may include a school psychologist and special education teachers, will conduct the evaluation.
• Benefit: This process is free of charge.

Path 2: A Private Evaluation

You can also seek a private evaluation outside of the school

• Where to Get Your Child Tested: Search for a local licensed neuropsychologist or educational psychologist who specializes in learning disabilities.
• Who Can Diagnose Dyslexia in a Child: These trained professionals can provide a detailed diagnostic report, which you can then share with the school.
• Benefit: A private evaluation is often more in-depth and can provide a very clear picture of your child’s learning profile.

Step 3: How to Help a Child with Dyslexia at Home

Once you know you are dealing with dyslexia, you can begin to provide targeted support. The goal at home is to build skills in a low-pressure, positive environment. Here is how to help a child with dyslexia read using fun, multisensory techniques.

1. Become a Reading Team. Take the pressure off by reading together. You can read one page, and your child can read the next. For difficult words, read them together. This models fluency and provides support.
2. Embrace Audiobooks. Listening to stories builds vocabulary, comprehension, and a love of books without the struggle of decoding. It allows your child to access grade-level texts and participate in conversations about them.
3. Use Tactile Letters. Practice spelling and word building with hands-on materials, such as magnetic letters on a cookie sheet or foam letters in the bathtub. The physical sensation of the letter helps cement it in the brain.
4. Play with Rhyming and Sounds. Play simple word games in the car or at dinner. “I’m thinking of a word that rhymes with cat.” or “What sound does the word ball start with?” These games build phonological awareness, a key skill for reading.
5. Focus on Content, Not Just Mechanics. When your child tells you a story, celebrate their imagination. When they write, praise their ideas first before looking at the spelling. This builds their confidence as a communicator.

Step 4: How to Help a Child with Dyslexia at School

Your role now becomes that of an advocate. Share the results of any evaluation with the school and request a meeting to discuss an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan. This plan will formalize the accommodations your child needs, including extended test time, access to assistive technology, and specialized reading instruction. A strong partnership with the school is essential.

Step 5: Seek Expert, Individualized Support

While school accommodations are essential, they are often just the starting point. Even with the best intentions, classroom teachers manage many students with diverse needs. For a child with dyslexia, one-on-one, specialized instruction can be the key that unlocks their true potential.

• Why It Works: Individualized tutoring provides targeted, intensive practice on the specific skills your child needs to build. It moves at their pace, not the classroom’s.
• What to Look For: Seek out tutors or learning specialists who are trained in evidencebased, multisensory reading programs designed for dyslexia, such as Orton-Gillingham.
• Beyond Academics: The right expert does more than teach reading. They build a child’s confidence, show them they are capable, and can help them rediscover a love for learning.

Supporting Your Child, Every Step of the Way

This journey may seem daunting, but it is a path toward understanding and empowering your child. By recognizing the signs, seeking a diagnosis, and creating a strong support system at home and school, you give them a solid foundation. When you add expert, individualized help to that system, you give them the greatest opportunity to thrive.

You do not have to walk this path alone. If you are ready to take the next step with personalized, expert support, contact Learning Lab today. Our specialists are here to help your child build the skills and confidence to thrive.