“Let’s just keep an eye on it.” (opens in new tab)
Let’s imagine these two scenarios for a minute.
- Your car is making a funny noise. You take it to your mechanic, who says, “I’ve seen this kind of thing before, but I have no idea how to fix it. It’ll probably stop soon enough.”
- Your child is sick. You take him to the doctor, who does an examination and says, “I’ve seen these symptoms before, but I wasn’t trained in how to heal this illness. Let’s just keep an eye on it and see if it goes away.”
How long would you keep going to that mechanic or to that doctor? You wouldn’t keep going, of course! You expect these experts to be trained in how to deal with common problems in their field.
Let’s translate these scenarios into education.
Your child is struggling to sound out words. He has great difficulty learning sight words and with spelling, despite phonics instruction in school. He frequently reverses lowercase B’s and D’s when handwriting. Your child is bright and engaging, but he’s falling behind his peers in reading. Your child’s teacher acknowledges a problem, but she isn’t sure how to help. She hasn’t been trained in how to help common reading problems like dyslexia. It was exactly these circumstances that propelled me to learn about dyslexia and reading difficulties at the end of my college studies.
This post isn’t a criticism of teachers. I am one. Teachers work very hard to meet the needs of every child, and they take professional development seriously. Teachers care very much about their students, and it pains them to see children struggle. But parents, you need to know that your child’s teacher may not have had the training to know how to help your child who is having difficulty with reading. Be aware that children do not usually “grow out of it” when it comes to reading. Extra worksheets or tutoring will NOT help dyslexic children if it’s not the right kind of program. Parents, even the best (and costliest!) private schools may not be equipped to help your child. It’s up to you to ask the right questions and persevere on behalf of your child.
Not sure if it’s dyslexia? See a list of signs of dyslexia.
Hey there!
We’re Nashville Dyslexia Center, your go-to stop for online dyslexia tutoring. We’re here to help overwhelmed parents get the reading help they need. Our mission? To see your child thrive - both academically and personally.
TESTS OF DYSLEXIA
Concerned about dyslexia but unsure where to start? Get started with the diagnostic index.
VIDEO RESOURCES PLAYLIST
01. About NDC
Hear from two clients and their childs’ success.
02. Getting a Diagnosis
for dyslexia
03. Language Development
Insight from a Speech Language Pathologist
GET STARTED
READ THE LATEST POSTS
Inspiring Visit to the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Upper Wisconsin
Hey there! In the busy work of serving families affected by dyslexia, it can be easy to stay focused on our own programs, our own students, and our own day-to-day responsibilities. We can forget to pause. To listen. To learn from the people doing this work in different communities. That is why Erin and Steven’s…
Episode 1: Jacob Blumenstein of KidsRead2Kids
In Episode 1 of the Nashville Dyslexia Center series, Jacob Blumenstein, founder of KidsRead2Kids, shares his passion for helping struggling readers find confidence and joy in reading. This inspiring conversation explores how early experiences with literacy challenges can spark meaningful work, and how compassion, creativity, and structured guidance make a real difference for learners of…
Episode 2: Diagnosing Dyslexia with Dr. Jackie Klaver
Understanding whether a child has dyslexia can be both empowering and overwhelming for families. In Episode 2: Diagnosing Dyslexia with Dr. Jackie Klaver, the Nashville Dyslexia Center brings clarity to the dyslexia assessment process by talking with Dr. Klaver — an experienced neuropsychologist — about what evaluations involve, when to seek one, and how results…
Episode 3: Understanding the Emotional Side of Dyslexia with Tricia Thornton
Dyslexia is most often defined by language-based learning differences — difficulties with decoding, spelling, and reading fluency. But there’s another side to dyslexia that isn’t talked about as often: the emotional experience. In the Nashville Dyslexia Center video “Understanding the Emotional Side of Dyslexia with Tricia Thornton,” families are guided through how dyslexia can impact…
Episode 4: Nicole Holcomb of the Dyslexia Mom Life
When a child struggles with reading, it affects the whole family. Episode 4: Nicole Holcomb of the Dyslexia Mom Life offers an honest and heartfelt look at one parent’s dyslexia journey. Nicole Holcomb — educator, attorney, and founder of Dyslexia Mom Life — shares her family’s experience with dyslexia, including early concerns, the emotional impact,…
Episode 5: Author Cigdem Knebel of Simple Words Books
Dyslexia doesn’t just challenge readers — it also inspires creators. In Episode 5: Author Çiğdem Knebel of Simple Words Books, the Nashville Dyslexia Center highlights how one author’s understanding of dyslexia fuels her mission to make reading more approachable and joyful for children. This episode celebrates creativity, inclusion, and the power of thoughtful book design…
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO READ TODAY?
Search
