How parents talk to their child about dyslexia can significantly shape the child’s confidence, motivation, and long-term relationship with learning. Using strengths-based language, a growth mindset, and appropriate emotional support—alongside evidence-based dyslexia therapy—helps children understand dyslexia as a difference, not a deficit.
Learning that your child has dyslexia will lead to your own journey of discovery in the world of education, reading, and dyslexia solutions. You may seek the help of staff and teachers at your child’s school in order to get accommodations in the classroom put into place. Then, there’s the help you will seek outside of the classroom: will you choose tutoring or dyslexia therapy?
Dyslexia on Demand is decidedly a great choice for a whole child approach to individualized, convenient dyslexia therapy intervention. Through this journey, you’ll also learn about tried and true programs that are based in research like the Orton-Gillingham based language therapy that Dyslexia on Demand implements. You will become familiar with CALTS—Certified Academic Language Therapists—who are highly educated and trained to help your child to become a more fluent reader and a more confident learner.
And still, there’s more to discover. In the interest of maintaining the whole child approach that Dyslexia on Demand aims to incorporate, you’ll also want to consider a solid social-emotional approach as a parent. It is very important that you don’t consistently refer to dyslexia in a negative way. Specific learning disabilities can cause speed bumps for certain academic and social skills. Students may struggle. However, it is essential for parents to encourage their child through difficulties as they learn to navigate life with dyslexia. Read on to learn more about how to talk to your child about dyslexia in a positive way.
Neurodiversity is neat! Honor the differences of your child as a dyslexic individual. Dyslexia is known as a specific learning disability. Dyslexic brains are wired differently. This can affect a student’s skills like phonological processing and working memory. Brains are amazing body parts, and through therapy with Dyslexia on Demand, we can work to create new neural pathways for your child.
Dyslexia comes with many strengths. Support your child’s learning difference by helping him or her become aware of his or her strengths. Whether it’s a talent for problem solving, creativity, empathy, or making connections, kids with dyslexia tend to have notable skills outside of reading and academics that can lead to future success. Notice and nourish these strong skill sets, and see your child’s independence and confidence grow.
You’re not alone. Sometimes, a student may feel a sense of embarrassment or isolation because of a dyslexia diagnosis. It is key to know that you and your child are not alone on this journey. There are people to talk to and to work with who can support you. At Dyslexia on Demand, we support the whole child with confidence building and enabling them to self advocate.
Dyslexia is not a measure of intelligence. In fact, many students with dyslexia tend to have high IQs. Emphasize this to your child: Think of this learning disability as a challenge to face. Being a different learner can be a gift that comes with outside-the-box perspectives, which can be inspirational and innovative. Through dyslexia therapy, students can learn to harness the power of their reading skills, which can bolster and highlight their unique areas of intelligence.
Consider dyslexia success stories for inspiration. Albert Einstein. Steven Spielberg. Tom Cruise. Pablo Picasso. Cher. Jennifer Aniston. All of these famous individuals have managed to reach high levels of achievement in their respective career paths. And all of these people have had dyslexia. Whether your student wants to solve equations, make movies, act, paint, sing, build, or design—dyslexia cannot stop them.
Grit is great. Working through difficulties like dyslexia can make a student more powerful in life. Persevering as you face the challenges of dyslexia can be character building and can provide some good life lessons about hard work, discipline, confidence, and never giving up. Inspire your child to adopt this growth mindset, and model it as a parent when you are helping your child.
Getting help is a good thing. Think of dyslexia therapy as an opportunity to unleash your student’s potential. Dyslexia on Demand offers a structured, multisensory approach to helping students with the reading process. The integration of visual, auditory, and motor processing with an explicit understanding of the structure of the English language helps to provide a true foundation for your student’s written language skills. Our one-on-one approach to dyslexia therapy paired ensures that sessions are tailored to each individual student. Support like this is invaluable. Through a solid curriculum and individualized learning plans, the CALTs at Dyslexia on Demand can help to equip your student with the right tools to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
Team work makes the dream work. Your student is at the center of Dyslexia on Demand’s mission to help kids become academically successful, regardless of learning style or academic challenges. Working with school staff, families, and CALTs can create a huge support system that will help to boost a student’s confidence and success.
Are you ready to learn more about Dyslexia Therapy? Find out more, or book a free consultation with Dyslexia on Demand at our website.
How should parents explain dyslexia to their child?
Parents should describe dyslexia as a learning difference that affects reading but not intelligence, emphasizing that everyone’s brain works differently and that support can build strong reading skills over time.
Why is positive language important when discussing dyslexia?
Positive language supports self-esteem and resilience, reduces shame or anxiety, and helps children view dyslexia as a challenge they can manage rather than a limitation.
How can dyslexia therapy support both academics and confidence?
Structured, multisensory dyslexia therapy strengthens reading skills while also reinforcing effort, perseverance, and self-belief, which are critical to social-emotional development.
International Dyslexia Association. (2019). Dyslexia basics. https://dyslexiaida.org
International Dyslexia Association. (2017). Dyslexia in the classroom: What every teacher needs to know. https://dyslexiaida.org
National Center for Learning Disabilities. (2023). Dyslexia and self-esteem: Supporting the whole child. https://www.ncld.org
Shaywitz, S. (2020). Overcoming dyslexia (2nd ed.). Alfred A. Knopf.
Yeager, D. S., & Dweck, C. S. (2012). Mindsets that promote resilience: When students believe that personal characteristics can be developed. Educational Psychologist, 47(4), 302–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2012.722805
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