Phonics. In order to decode unfamiliar words, students with dyslexia should be taught the specific relationship of letters to sound.
One-on-one. Instruction needs to be on an individual level until the child fully grasps phonics.
Appropriate level reading. Students need to read at their own reading level and have access to a multitude of books for that purpose.
Highly trained teachers. Much of the success of children with dyslexia depends upon the teacher’s expertise.
With the summer in full swing, here are some strategies to help your children with dyslexia (or any sort of reading struggles) continue their reading when school is out:
1. Give them reading “jobs.” When planning a day-off, ask your child to sort through the brochures to plan different activities or give him an “events” section of a newspaper to decide which events seem interesting to him over the summer.
2. Be supportive. Sometimes they might just need someone to read to them – and that can count too – as long as you are doing it together.
3. Go easy on the reading. Don’t pick books that are above their reading level, summer should be fun. As long as they are reading, they are on the right track.
5. Use recorded books. Children can read along with the tape, giving them instant gratification of decoding words.
6. Bring reading material along everywhere. If you are waiting on line for a summer activity, you can always use a children’s magazine or short book to pass the time.
Dyslexia does not have to mean that your child will never read. Like McGehearty pointed out, someone with a broken arm can still be an artist. You simply need to help your child learn how to paint with his feet.