To support those with dyslexia, there are various accommodations for easier reading. One method is to use a special font. How does it work? OpenDyslexic uses “heaviness,” a typography technique that increases the visual weight of a typeface which helps prevent letters from turning upside down and therefore increases one’s ability to distinguish individual letters designed to reduce reading errors and the overall effort it takes to read text. Did You Know? You can change your computer browser to utilize the free open dyslexic font?

Provide audiobooks to assist with reading comprehension. Listening to audiobooks can be an effective way for dyslexic children to access text material by reading along with it. It allows them to hear the pronunciation of words they have never seen before as well as get through the material faster to keep up with their peers. The speed can be adjusted for higher or slower processing abilities.

There are various assistive technology tools such as text-to-speech software and speech-to-text software that can help dyslexic students with reading and writing tasks. Examples include Dragon Speech Recognition, Text Help, Livescribe Smart Pen

Dyslexic children often benefit from multisensory learning techniques that engage multiple senses, such as hands-on activities, manipulatives, and visual aids. At home you can have your child physically writing in sand, kicking a ball while learning multiplication, or matching notecards to memorize states and capitals to name a few.

Besides using the dyslexic font, dyslexic children may benefit from reading materials printed in a larger font size to reduce eye strain and make it easier to focus on the text. It is also prudent to get a through eye exam that is more than just a wall chart.

Dyslexic children may require additional time to complete tasks such as reading, writing, and spelling. Allowing extra time can reduce stress and help them perform to their best ability. This applies to at home tasks. They most likely need additional study time so talking to the school about reducing their workload is a good idea to reduce their stress.

Breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable parts can help dyslexic students to focus and stay on task. But don’t give all of the tasks to the child at once. After you break them down, give them one at a time and compliment them after each part is completed. Take breaks in between if required.

Dyslexic children work harder than their peers. They may face challenges and setbacks in their academic work. Providing positive feedback and encouragement can help them build confidence and maintain motivation. Always find a way to celebrate.