Be supportive. According to the Mayo Clinic, children and adults with dyslexia may suffer feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Even a simple task like reading a book “[can] affect [the] child's self-esteem” to such a degree that he seeks to avoid the activity. It is imperative that parents, friends, teachers working with people diagnosed with dyslexia “be sure to provide love and to support his or her talents and strengths.” In this instance, a parent of a child with dyslexia would work with the child to build confidence in the areas where he shows great competence. The parent can then encourage the child to transfer his confidence in problem solving, for example, toward reading or math or science.
See dyslexia for what it is. Agree to see dyslexia as a learning disability and not “as a failure on the part of the person diagnosed with the disability.” This, according the Mayo Clinic, will discourage the person from trying to “compensate for her learning disability.” In this instance, you would demonstrate your understanding of the disability and how it can impair the learning process. Agree that though the disability can create challenges, it has doomed the person to a life inadequacy.
Create an environment that is more suited to a person with dyslexia. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is important to “provide [small children] with a clean, quiet, organized place to study,” as well as “make sure the child gets enough rest, good nutrition and family support — through outings and activities — to provide a better environment in which he or she can learn.” In this instance, a parent would establish a core plan of support, encouragement and consistency for the child. This will produce an environment that works with the child, rather than against him. Remember, the core plan must consist of support through activity, confidence through achievement and stability through balance.
Help the person with encouragement and support as she investigates areas in her life that require greater assistance, training and coaching. According to Kids’ Health, a person with dyslexia may need to work with any one or all of the following: a Physical Therapist, Psychologist, Speech Therapist, or Occupational Therapist. Make sure the person receives the necessary treatment, support and knowledge about his disability to build a cognitive and behavioral system for life inside as well as outside of the classroom or work place. As a parent, teacher, sibling, employer, coach or loved one to a person with dyslexia, it is important to find a way to copy with the disability.