Treatment of Dyslexia

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Once dyslexia has been confirmed, an assessment can help identify which specific areas the child has difficulty with and needs most help with. It is important that the dyslexia is recognised as a specific difficulty and not the result of limited intelligence, poor attention span or laziness.

Parents can help by being patient and positive, making sure the childâ€™s teachers are aware of the situation and keeping in regular contact with teachers about the childâ€™s progress. The school may have facilities for the child to be taught in a small group with other children with specific learning difficulties. No matter what the childâ€™s age, it can be helpful if parents are able to assist with homework by making sure the child understands what they have been asked to do.

There are specialist schools for children with dyslexia, where pupils are taught in small groups in a supportive atmosphere. The curriculum at these specialist schools concentrates on basic literacy and numeracy skills, combined with the full National Curriculum. Pupils use a multi-sensory approach and study according to their individual ability, not their age group. Fees for these schools can be expensive, but some local education authorities (LEAs) may offer help with costs.

It is useful for people with dyslexia to approach learning in a different way than is traditional. Multi-sensory techniques (using sight and sound clues, games, worksheets, and computer programs) can be used to emphasise the connection between the way a word sounds and the way it is written. The sounds and meanings of words are reinforced in a number of ways so they can be remembered. This technique is often called â€˜see it, say it, hear it, write itâ€™ or â€˜look, cover, write, checkâ€™ and means that the child is learning to recall the pronunciation and spelling or words from memory and can use all the senses together efficiently.

For many people with dyslexia, computers are a great help with organising ideas and spelling, and tape recorders and calculators can be used in lessons. Some people may find that placing sheets of coloured plastic over text makes it easier to read. Learning a musical instrument can improve cognitive skills and help with confidence.

In many cases, schools, colleges and universities can provide skilled specialist teaching and extra help with examinations and tests. It may be useful to ask your educational psychologist for a letter of referral.

For adults with dyslexia, being diagnosed can be a great relief as they realise their difficulties are not due to being unintelligent. Much can be done to improve learning skills and reading and writing skills; local colleges offer basic skills courses â€“ it is never too late to learn.

People with specific learning difficulties may be eligible to be registered disabled and get help with the costs associated with assisted learning. This may be useful if you experience discrimination from an employer or prospective employer.