It’s been almost five years since my son was diagnosed with dyslexia. In Kindergarten and First grade I assumed he would catch up. By second grade, I was desperate for help. Once we received his diagnosis we scrambled to find what worked.

 

Through many years it seemed that we inched forward with progress.

 

As his mom, I longed for him to read.

 

I thought of him one day enjoying Charles Dickens.

 

Maybe he would be able to study his biology vocab words on his own.

 

Perhaps even we could discuss how symbolism from Alice in Wonderland is woven into the TV Show Lost. A mom can dream, right?

 

20 Things To Do if Your Child Has Dyslexia

As our dyslexia journey began we did each and every one of these 20 steps:

1. Take a Good look at Your Homeschool Curriculum – is it working?
2. Discover Their Gifts & Talents (music? art? sports? coding?)
3. Play up their academic strengths (science? math? history?)
4. Use Those Talents to Help Them Learn
5. Consider Occupational Therapy
6. Try Speech Therapy
7. Scribe for them
8. Read to them
9. Teach Spelling
10. Consider Using an E-Reader
11. Consider Using Audible (or similar service)
12. Don’t push grammar – instead, focus on copywork
13. Teach Cursive
14. Possibly Try Hand Lettering
15. Let them Read Books below their reading level for practice & fluency
16. Teach Typing
17. Let your child choose books & subjects that interest them
18. Give plenty of breaks during the school day
19. Teach oral narration instead of written (like this)
20. Have a poetry tea time and encourage memorization

 

Then in a blink, this slow and steady marathon became a sprint.

 

While we are still working, my son who just last year (in 6th grade) was reading at a fourth grade level, jumped up to a 9th grade reading level.  It felt like overnight that not only his vocabulary and decoding skills took a ginormous leap, but his reading comprehension followed.  Once this happened his grammar and spelling took off, as well.

 

For the first time in his life, he is reading above grade level.  I stand here in awe of his progress.  This maze of dyslexia proved difficult but not defeating.  As I watch in wonder, my eyes full of tears I see.  Soon – very soon – we will begin discussing theories and symbolism. Maybe we’ll even venture into Wonderland.

 

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