Like all learners, dyslexic children are unique: each child will have a different approach to reading, writing, and understanding.

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects a child’s ability to read, write, and spell. They may display their intelligence in other ways, but have trouble making connections between letters and letter sounds.

Some people are diagnosed with dyslexia when they are children; others may not realise it until they are adults.

In dyslexics, the part of the brain that processes language is different. Symptoms in young children include difficulty forming words and remembering letter names.

School-age kids with dyslexia may read below their grade level, demonstrate difficulty with spelling, or have problems remembering the order of things. They may avoid activities that involve reading because they find it difficult.

Teens and adults with dyslexia, too, often have difficulty reading aloud. They may have trouble understanding jokes or summarising a story, and might also take a long time completing reading or writing assignments.

How is dyslexia diagnosed?

Your paediatrician may not be able to diagnose dyslexia, but they could refer you to a dyslexia specialist, who will use a variety of tools to make a diagnosis.

The specialist will test aspects such as word recognition, rapid renaming, and spelling. They will look at your child’s ability to understand phonics, as well as reading comprehension. Vocabulary and decoding will also be assessed.

Dyslexia is a lifelong condition, and early diagnoses and assistance are important. Nevertheless, those who are assessed later in life can still succeed and thrive in their pursuits.

Treatment approaches could include extra time for tests and class activities, or for instructions that are read during assessments. Your child may also be given the option to record classroom instructions.

Reading programmes can help improve your child’s phonic skills and improve their reading speed.

In Malaysia, the Inclusive Education Programme, practised in most schools, places children with special needs in mainstream classrooms, with additional hours of coaching. Dyslexic pupils in Malaysia are often enrolled in this programme.

If your child is not making the kind of progress they should be, consider sending them to a school that specialises in teaching dyslexic students. If this isn’t an option, an after-school programme or tutor can help support your child.

How can you help?

If your child suffers from dyslexia, it can be tempting to simply encourage additional reading. This, however, rarely helps if it isn’t accompanied by other activities.

Read together at home and make the activity as fun as possible. Have a special reading corner, blanket, or tent. You can make a special snack and make reading your bonding time.

Encourage your child to choose books that interest them. Younger children may enjoy lots of illustrations, and teens or tweens may prefer graphic novels.

These give them a different way to take in the information, and can also help to get them excited about reading in a non-academic setting.

Technology can also assist your child with their reading. They can use automated extensions to check their spelling, or apps that provide text to speech.

It’s critical to praise your child for any progress they make. If they remember more vocabulary than usual or are able to spell a few tricky words, let them know you have noticed.

Praising your child will teach them to think and talk positively about themselves, and can give them a powerful tool for rising above obstacles throughout their lives.

All in all, while dyslexia presents great challenges, it also provides your child with unique gifts. They are often good big-picture thinkers, entrepreneurs, and folks who can think outside the box.

With the right treatment, your child could be on their way towards a bright future in no time.

Dennis Relojo-Howell is the managing director of Psychreg and host of ‘The DRH Show’. Connect with him on Twitter @dennisr_howell.