- Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed.
- Give lots of praise and encouragement to keep motivation high.
- Allow additional 'thinking' time when answering questions and in conversations.
- Encourage the use of memory aids - pictures, symbols, word prompts, songs, rhymes.
- Play games to help memory and sequencing also to help them hear sounds in words.
- Share reading activities - taking turns, listening to audio books and reading to your child will ensure that they continue to enjoy books whilst improving their skills.
- Help your child develop good habits for study and homework.
- Make activities fun and different - try using all the senses.
- Give lots of opportunities for over learning/repetition in a variety of ways.
- Be aware they may tire more easily because of the additional cognitive effort required.
Some parents believe their children need a diagnosis to access extra support. This is not the case.
When children take the Key Stage 2 SATs in Year 6, they do not need a formal diagnosis of a specific learning difficulty to access support. We plan for the best type of support needed for individuals which may include a scribe, or additional time or using a reader etc. This plan is usually shared with parents months before the tests take place.
Some parents choose to pay for a private assessment for dyslexia themselves but as a school we do not require parents to do this. Neither do the secondary schools. Our feeder secondary schools are more than happy with the information we currently provide on transition if we suspect a child has dyslexia.
