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Dyslexia, affecting up to one in five children, is a learning difference that changes how the brain processes language, often leading to reading, writing, and spelling challenges in the early school years. Understanding the emotional toll of dyslexia is crucial. This difference impacts academics for many of our children and can trigger feelings of low self-esteem and frustration in your child. I certainly know it did for me as a young girl.
For this article, I wanted to offer some empathetic strategies that bolster mental well-being and help to mitigate the impact of dyslexic challenges. I've included supportive methods to promote positive self-perception and shifting learning struggles into a journey of resilience and personal growth for your child through;
Creating an Empathetic Support System
Cultivating a Growth Mindset
Highlighting Their Strengths
Promoting Self-Advocacy
Leveraging Assistive Technology
Positive Reinforcement
and much more
Understanding Dyslexia and Its Emotional Toll
Dyslexia (Dysgraphia & Dyscalculia) is far more than a mere hurdle in being able to read, write and spell; it carries an emotional weight that can shape a child's entire worldview. As a parent, recognising and addressing the emotional challenges associated with dyslexia is as crucial as finding strategies for dyslexia in the classroom. Here's how I believe dyslexia can take an emotional toll on a child:
Embarrassment and Shame: The struggle to keep pace with peers in reading can lead to deep-seated feelings of embarrassment. Imagine the dread your child might feel when asked to read aloud, magnifying their fear and anxiety and fostering a negative association with their learning environments. These experiences are particularly pronounced in the school setting, where academic performance is so often publicly displayed and celebrated.
Social and Emotional Imbalance: Without the appropriate support, dyslexia may lead to social challenges, such as withdrawal or aggression, and as a result, your child feels misunderstood or sidelined. This imbalance can manifest in mental and emotional strain, which requires careful attention to foster a sense of belonging and self-worth in your child.
Anxiety and Anger: The most common emotional symptoms in children with dyslexia are often anxiety and anger. The frustration from constant confusion in school can lead to avoidance behaviours, which are often misinterpreted as laziness. Anger can arise from a sense of injustice or repeated failure, leading to strained relationships at home and school.
Depression and Low Self-Esteem: Chronic feelings of inadequacy may lead to depression, characterised by a negative self-image and pessimism about the future. It's crucial to intervene early and provide emotional support to prevent these feelings from compromising your child's ability to enjoy life and pursue their passions.
Heightened Emotional Responses: Research from the University of California San Francisco reveals that children with dyslexia exhibit stronger emotional responses than their non-dyslexic peers. This heightened sensitivity, linked to increased activity in the brain's salience network, can be a double-edged sword—a source of vulnerability and a unique strength.
As you navigate how to help your child or student with dyslexia, remember that your support can make all the difference. By understanding these emotional facets, you can help your child transform dyslexia challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience, ensuring their mental well-being remains a top priority.
The Role of Shame in Dyslexia
Shame is an insidious emotion that I am very well acquainted with. I, like many children, had a deep feeling of shame about my differences, which greatly affected and influenced my sense of self-worth and belonging.
As a parent or educator, you can help your child by:
Early Intervention: Initiating early testing and addressing dyslexia without causing embarrassment can prevent shame and fear from taking root. This proactive approach allows for timely support and avoids the negative feelings of falling behind peers.
Positive Communication: It's essential to explain dyslexia in a way that focuses on the true nature of dyslexia and your child's achievements and strengths. Emphasising that there are people who care, understand and are ready to help can significantly uplift their spirits.
Self-Compassion Techniques: Encouraging your child to practice self-compassion can be transformative. This includes:
Recognising negative thought patterns and actively challenging them.
Questioning assumptions that are not based on facts.
Practicing mindfulness to stay grounded in the present moment.
Developing self-calming rituals that can soothe anxiety.
Creating self-affirming practices to reinforce positive self-perception.
By incorporating these strategies, you can help your child break the cycle of shame, fostering a healthier, more resilient mindset. Remember, your support in their dyslexia challenges is crucial for their mental well-being.
Strategies for Mitigating Shame and Fostering Positive Self-Perception
Empowering a child with dyslexia involves more than just academic support; it's about nurturing their self-esteem and helping them recognise their unique strengths. Here are some strategies you can employ to bolster their confidence:
Create an Empathetic Support System: Show understanding for your child's challenges and acknowledge their efforts. A nurturing environment at home and school can make a significant difference in how they perceive themselves. Encourage them to share their feelings and experiences and validate their emotions to help them feel understood and supported.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Teach your child that intelligence and abilities can develop with time and effort. Emphasising a growth mindset can inspire them to embrace challenges as opportunities for learning. You can read more about cultivating a growth mindset here.
Highlight Their Strengths: Often, children with dyslexia have exceptional abilities in areas like music, arts, sports, out-of-the-box thinking and problem-solving. Make a point of celebrating their talents, which can boost their self-esteem and motivate them to pursue their interests and hobbies further.
Promote Self-Advocacy: Encourage your child to speak up for their needs and preferences. Developing self-advocacy skills is crucial for them to learn how to navigate challenges and seek the support they require well into adulthood.
Leverage Assistive Technology: Tools specifically designed for children with dyslexia can support their learning and help them keep up with their peers. These technologies can make reading and writing tasks more manageable, fostering a sense of accomplishment.
Positive Reinforcement: Offer consistent praise for their efforts and progress, not just their achievements. Recognising their hard work can reinforce a positive self-image and encourage them to keep striving.
By implementing these strategies, you're not only helping your child manage their dyslexia challenges but also fostering a positive self-perception that will serve them well throughout their lives. Remember, every child's needs are unique, so tailor your approach to best support your child's individual journey.
Conclusion
When we acknowledge the role of shame and implement supportive strategies, parents and educators can create a nurturing space where children with dyslexia can thrive emotionally and academically. It's important to remember that their journey is one of growth and adaptation, where each challenge faced with compassion and understanding becomes an opportunity for resilience and self-discovery.
This path can be overwhelming for parents and educators, which is why I created the Daring Dyslexic Community. So you can stay informed and be connected with resources and a community that understands the journey. By joining my Weekly One Community today, you're taking a meaningful step towards sharing experiences, gaining insights, and uplifting one another in the shared mission of empowering our children to reach their full potential.
