12 Nov Supporting a Loved One with Dyslexia
Understanding, Encouraging, and Empowering the Journey to Reading Success
Understanding Dyslexia and What It Means
1. Learn About Dyslexia Together
2. Celebrate Strengths, Not Just Struggles
3. Create a Safe Space for Reading
4. Partner with Trained Professionals
5. Advocate for Support in School
Understanding Dyslexia and What It Means
When someone you love has dyslexia, you quickly learn that reading is not just about letters and sounds — it’s about confidence, identity, and perseverance.
Dyslexia is a language-based learning difference that affects how the brain processes written and spoken words. It doesn’t mean a person isn’t intelligent or capable — in fact, many individuals with dyslexia are highly creative and insightful thinkers.
The key to supporting them lies in understanding how they learn best and creating an environment that values their strengths while addressing their challenges.
1. Learn About Dyslexia Together
Knowledge is power. The more you understand dyslexia, the better you can advocate and offer meaningful support.
Start by exploring reliable resources like the International Dyslexia Association and evidence-based approaches like the Science of Reading.
Encourage open conversations — ask your child or loved one what feels hard, what helps, and what makes learning enjoyable. When you learn together, it shifts the focus from “fixing a problem” to “working as a team.”
If you’d like to learn more at home, these books and websites are a great place to start:
📘 Overcoming Dyslexia by Dr. Sally Shaywitz
📗 The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan by Ben Foss
📙 Understood.org and search dyslexia help
📕 Decoding Dyslexia-(your state)
2. Celebrate Strengths, Not Just Struggles
People with dyslexia often shine in areas like problem-solving, creativity, storytelling, and big-picture thinking.
Recognize and celebrate those talents!
A child who struggles to read aloud might create incredible art, build complex Lego designs, or think of solutions others miss. Remind them — and yourself — that dyslexia is just one part of who they are.
💬 “You’re not behind — you’re learning differently, and that’s okay.”
3. Create a Safe Space for Reading
Reading can feel intimidating for someone with dyslexia.
Make reading a positive, pressure-free experience:
- Read together — you read one page, they read the next.
- Use audiobooks alongside printed text to build comprehension.
- Offer short reading times (5-10 minutes) rather than long sessions.
- Celebrate small wins: “You read that whole sentence perfectly!”
The goal is not perfection — it’s confidence and consistency.
4. Partner with Trained Professionals
Dyslexia therapy and structured literacy intervention can change lives.
Look for professionals trained in The Science of Reading, Take Flight, or Academic Language Therapists who specialize in multisensory, evidence-based instruction.
At the Springfield Center for Dyslexia and Learning, we provide individualized therapy designed to meet students where they are — building the foundational skills they need to read and write with confidence.
5. Advocate for Support in School
Your loved one deserves understanding and appropriate accommodations in the classroom.
Work closely with teachers and administrators to:
- Share professional evaluation results
- Request classroom accommodations (extra time, audio access, reading tools)
- Ask about structured literacy or small-group instruction options
- Keep communication open — you’re all on the same team
If you’re unsure how to start that process, see our upcoming blog post, “Navigating Schools: How to Advocate for Students with Dyslexia,” or give us a call for assistance.
6. Be Their Cheerleader — Always
Living with dyslexia can be frustrating. There will be moments of tears, setbacks, and self-doubt.
Your encouragement matters more than you realize.
A calm, steady voice saying “I believe in you” can change everything.
Celebrate effort as much as achievement — progress takes time, and every word mastered is a victory.
Final Thoughts
Supporting a loved one with dyslexia isn’t about fixing them — it’s about helping them discover their potential.
With the right strategies, professional guidance, and a whole lot of love, they can become confident, capable readers who know they are deeply valued.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’re ready to explore how to support a child or loved one through structured literacy therapy, we’re here to help.
📞 Call: (417) 269-0259
📧 Email: hello@dyslexiaandlearning.com
🔗 Learn about our Dyslexia Therapy Services
