How dyslexia is diagnosed
Signs that may suggest Dyslexia
If you think your child might be dyslexic, speak to the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) at your child’s school or your child’s teacher. Dyslexia can be diagnosed by qualified specialist assessors and by educational psychologists.
Help for your child
Dyslexia gets in the way of your child learning to read and write. They will struggle even though they want to learn and they have been taught well.
Assessments
We'll advise your child's school about what your child needs to make sure they reach their full potential. A training package is now available for all Leicestershire schools to help them become more ‘dyslexia friendly’.
Your child may get extra help to make sure they progress as well as they should.
In school
For some children learning to read is difficult. This has nothing to do with their intelligence. Leicestershire teachers know a great deal about dyslexia and how to help children learn to read and write well.
- your child’s progress in reading will be assessed regularly
- if more help is needed this will be provided
- you will be told what the school is doing and how you can help
Information technology (ICT)
If your child needs extra ICT equipment to help them with learning, the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) at their school will refer them for an assessment. This is more likely to happen if your child is severely dyspraxic as well as dyslexic.
Every school and nursery has a SENCO. They’re responsible for identifying children with special educational needs and disabilities and making sure they get all the help they need.
There are many ways in which you can make your computer at home dyslexia friendly without buying extra equipment or software: My Computer My Way
How you can help your child
There’s such a lot that you can do to help your child with reading and writing:
- try not to put your child under stress; reading should always be an enjoyable activity. Let them re-read favourite stories as often as they wish.
- read to and with your child every day. It doesn’t matter what – comics or magazines are fine. 5 minutes spent reading together for enjoyment every day is more useful than half an hour once a week. Choose a time when it is fairly quiet, other children are not around and your child is not tired.
- join your local library. Let your children choose their own books and change them regularly. Using CDs is also good because listening to favourite stories helps to develop vocabulary and keeps interest in books and reading generally.
- create a real purpose for writing – for example, thank you letters, invitations, shopping lists, diaries. Learning the skill of writing in a joined up style is important since it will help your child memorise spellings.
Dyslexia guidance for families Opens new window
Support groups and activities
Search the Family Information Directory for local support groups and activities for your child and your family.