Helpful Activities for Your Child with Dyslexia

You've finally received a diagnosis of dyslexia for your child from a developmental optometrist or other appropriate medical professional. Now what? What does this mean for your child---and you? Which strategies will work best for her? What can you do as a parent to help your child manage the symptoms of this learning difference called dyslexia?

Not to worry. There are many things you can do as a parent to help your child or teen with the reading and learning issues involved with dyslexia. Some of those things include activities that can actually help manage the symptoms your child may be experiencing. This week, we wanted to provide a list of links to such activities that can be helpful to your child or teen AND you. As always, we hope you will find that these will assist you in your efforts to improve the quality of life for your child with dyslexia.

Helpful Activities for Children with Dyslexia

Look carefully! One shape is missing.
by Stephany Koujou (from the American Dyslexia Association)
For this FREE resource, you will need to look carefully! One shape from the field on the right is missing in the field on the left. Can you find the missing shape? There are two levels of difficulty. Level one: The shapes have been mixed. Level two: The shapes have been mixed AND turned around and/or mirrored. This trains attention and visual and spatial perception – important skills for good reading, writing and calculating. This is also good brain training for adults. Have fun searching!
http://www.dyslexia.me/look-carefully-one-shape-is-missing/

Monster – Perception training
by Stephany Koujou (from the American Dyslexia Association)
Who can say “no” to these monsters? This FREE download is full of monsters! Children can find monsters, connect monsters, recognize clippings and find monster shadows. These exercises train attention and visual and spatial perception – important skills for reading, writing and calculating.
http://www.dyslexia.me/monster-perception-training/

Great FREE and Affordable Activities and eBooks for Your Dyslexic Child
These FREE animated reading books can help improve children's reading, vocabulary and listening skills at home. The careful choice of graded words provides vital reading practice at the beginning stages of reading but story content is suitable for a slightly older age group who may have fallen behind. These interactive books can act as a vital bridge between listening and reading. Reading ability 5-7 years, appropriate content to age 12.
http://donnette.squidoo.com/educational-activities-for-dyslexic-kids

All Kinds of Brain-Training Exercises---for You & Your Child!
(related article from this Help for Struggling Readers blog)
Many FREE resources for improving brain function both with specific, physical exercises and with other brain-building activities. By adding a few of these to your and your child's daily regimen, you'll both be ready for just about any cognitive skill workout. What's more, your child's next school year could be even more productive! Do them together, and imagine what great things could develop for BOTH of you!
http://helpforstrugglingreaders.blogspot.com/2013/06/all-kinds-of-brain-training-exercises.html

Dyslexia Games (Teaching Children with Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism or Asperger's Syndrome)
Creative Kids can help overcome reading confusion with art, drawing & logic games! Use fun activity books to QUICKLY overcome reading confusion, messy handwriting, poor spelling, concentration problems, and letter reversals that are common to children with these learning challenges.
http://www.dyslexiagames.com/order-here.html

For information on customizable reading tools for ADHD & other reading challenges:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image courtesy of:
Brennan Innovators, LLC at www.focusandread.com