Supporting Your Dyslexic Child as They Return to School

The return to school can bring a mixture of excitement and anxiety for children with dyslexia. While they may be looking forward to seeing friends, meeting their teacher and getting back into familiar routines, the thought of reading, writing, spelling and keeping up with classroom work can also feel overwhelming.

For parents, the start of a new school year is an ideal time to put supportive strategies in place and help your child begin the term feeling confident and positive.

Talk about their feelings

Before school starts, take some time to talk to your child about how they are feeling. Try to focus on their experiences rather than assuming what they may find difficult. Ask open questions such as, “What are you looking forward to?” or “Is there anything about going back to school that you're worried about?”

Reassure them that everyone has strengths and areas they find challenging. Dyslexia does not reflect intelligence or ability.

Re-establish routines

Returning to a consistent routine can make the transition easier. Gradually return to regular bedtimes and morning routines before the first day. Preparing school bags, uniforms and equipment the night before can also reduce morning stress.

A simple visual checklist can be particularly helpful for children who struggle with organisation or remembering instructions.

Encourage reading without pressure

Keep reading enjoyable. Let your child choose books, magazines or topics that interest them rather than making reading feel like a chore. Audiobooks can also be a fantastic way of developing vocabulary and enjoying stories without the additional pressure of decoding every word.

Remember to praise effort and perseverance rather than simply focusing on accuracy.

Speak with the school

Good communication between parents and school is extremely important. If your child has a dyslexia diagnosis or has identified literacy difficulties, make sure their teacher is aware of the strategies and support that work well for them.

Ask how the school plans to support their individual needs and whether reasonable adjustments or assistive technology could help.

Break homework into manageable steps

Homework can quickly become a source of frustration. Rather than tackling everything at once, break tasks into smaller, achievable chunks. Short, regular sessions are often more productive than one long session.

Allow your child to take breaks and celebrate what they have accomplished.

Build confidence and celebrate strengths

Children with dyslexia can sometimes become focused on what they find difficult. Make sure they have plenty of opportunities to succeed in areas they enjoy, whether that is sport, art, music, technology, science or something else.

Remind them that dyslexia is just one part of who they are.

Consider an assessment if you have concerns

If your child continues to struggle with reading, spelling, writing or learning despite appropriate support, you may wish to consider a dyslexia assessment. Understanding how your child learns can provide valuable information and help parents and teachers put the right support in place.

Most importantly, listen to your child, celebrate their progress and remind them that needing support is nothing to be ashamed of.

A positive start to the school year isn't about expecting your child to find everything easy. It's about making sure they know they are understood, supported and capable of achieving their potential.