Dyslexia and Teachers – What’s Missing?

Dyslexia - What Teachers Should Know

 

As a parent, sending your child to school should feel like dropping them off in a safe place where they will be understood, supported, and helped to thrive. But if your child has dyslexia, the classroom can feel like the opposite—an overwhelming and confusing environment where they’re constantly falling behind, despite their best efforts.

If you feel like your child’s teachers don’t understand dyslexia or aren’t doing enough, you’re not alone. Many parents face this same frustration. While teachers care deeply about their students, the reality is that many don’t have the training or resources to properly support children with dyslexia.

Here’s what teachers should know—and what you, as a parent, can help them understand—about supporting children with dyslexia in the classroom.

 

Recognizing the Signs of Dyslexia:

For many teachers, dyslexia isn’t always obvious. In fact, some dyslexic children manage to “fly under the radar” because they have developed coping mechanisms to hide their struggles. Others may be labeled as distracted, lazy, or even misdiagnosed with ADHD because they appear disengaged during reading and writing tasks.

It’s important for teachers to recognize that dyslexia doesn’t mean a lack of intelligence. Dyslexic children are often incredibly bright, creative, and verbal, which can mask their struggles with written language. However, signs of dyslexia might include slow, laborious reading, frequent spelling mistakes, and trouble remembering words they’ve just read.

Teachers need to be on the lookout for these signs early on. But as a parent, you also play a crucial role in communicating with your child’s teacher. If you notice signs of dyslexia at home, share your concerns. Early identification in the classroom can lead to faster support.

 

Why Dyslexic Students Struggle in Traditional Classrooms:

The traditional classroom is built for students who learn in a specific way: they listen, read, and write. But for dyslexic students, these tasks are overwhelming. When reading is hard, learning any subject—whether it’s math, history, or science—becomes difficult. What should be a 20-minute reading assignment might take your child an hour. And that’s not because they aren’t trying—it’s because their brain processes language differently.

Children with dyslexia often work twice as hard just to keep up. But if teachers don’t understand this, they might assume the child isn’t putting in the effort, which can lead to frustration for both the student and the teacher. That’s why it’s so important to help teachers understand what’s really going on and how they can help.

 

Simple Classroom Accommodations That Can Make a Huge Difference:

The good news is that teachers don’t need to overhaul their entire classroom to support a child with dyslexia. Small accommodations can make a big difference.

  • Extra Time: One of the simplest but most effective accommodations is allowing extra time for reading and writing assignments. Dyslexic students may need more time to process text, and giving them that time removes a lot of the pressure.
  • Alternative Methods: Encourage teachers to let your child demonstrate knowledge in ways other than reading and writing. For example, they might give oral presentations, create visual projects, or answer questions verbally.
  • Audiobooks: Audiobooks can be a game-changer for dyslexic students. By listening to the material, they can focus on understanding the content without struggling to decode the text.
  • Shorter Reading Assignments: Teachers can break reading assignments into smaller sections to make them more manageable. This allows dyslexic students to take breaks and maintain their focus without feeling overwhelmed.

 

Building Confidence in the Classroom:

Perhaps the most important thing teachers can do for dyslexic students is to build their confidence. When a child struggles with reading, they often feel “less than” compared to their peers. This can lead to a negative self-image that affects not only their academics but their social interactions as well.

Teachers who take the time to praise a student’s strengths—whether that’s creativity, verbal skills, or problem-solving—can make all the difference in how that child views themselves. Confidence isn’t just about academics; it’s about helping a child feel valued and capable.

 

How Parents Can Help Teachers Help Their Child:

As a parent, you’re the expert on your child, and you have the power to be their strongest advocate. Communicate with your child’s teacher regularly. Share what’s working at home and ask for feedback about how your child is doing at school. Be open to collaboration and suggestions, and don’t be afraid to request accommodations if you feel they’re needed.

At Stowell Learning Centers, we work closely with parents and teachers to ensure that students with dyslexia get the support they need, both at home and in the classroom.

 

Conclusion:

Dyslexia can make the classroom a challenging place for your child, but with the right understanding and support, they can thrive. By working together with your child’s teachers, you can ensure that they have the tools and accommodations they need to succeed.

 

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