Growing up is a rollercoaster of emotions for any child, but for those struggling with dyslexia, the journey can be even more challenging. Dyslexia, a learning disorder that affects reading, writing, and spelling skills, often brings about a whirlwind of emotions such as anger, frustration, and low self-esteem. In this post, I will explore some of the hidden struggles faced by children with dyslexia, particularly focusing on the emotional impact and how to navigate through them along with signposting to some Therapist's that can support.
Understanding the Frustration
One of the most prevalent emotions children with dyslexia experience is frustration. Imagine being willing to learn, but feeling like there's an invisible barrier preventing you from grasping concepts as quickly as your peers. This frustration can manifest during reading exercises, spelling tests, or when trying to articulate thoughts on paper. It's crucial for parents, teachers, and caregivers to recognize this frustration and offer support in a patient and understanding manner. The frustration can often move to anger. When a parent contacts me about a child who finds it difficult to regulate emotions or is angry all of the time I often ask are there any signs of dyslexia as I can completely understand how the two are linked.
Anger - a Complex Emotion
Anger is another emotion that can bubble to the surface for children with dyslexia. Feeling like you're not measuring up to societal expectations or facing ridicule from classmates can ignite a sense of rage and resentment. It's vital to address this anger by creating a safe space for the child to express their feelings and providing avenues for healthy coping mechanisms. Whether through art, sports, or talking with a trusted individual, finding an outlet for anger is paramount. Prioritising opportunities for children to use their strengths is vital and can help with their Self Esteem.
The Impact on Self-Esteem
A significant aspect affected by dyslexia is self-esteem. Constant struggles with reading and writing can chip away at a child's confidence, leading to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. To counteract this, it's essential to emphasize the child's strengths, celebrate their successes, and reinforce the idea that dyslexia does not define their worth. Building a positive self-image is a gradual process that requires patience and unwavering support.
Navigating the Emotional Landscape
Supporting children with dyslexia through their emotional journey involves a multi-faceted approach. Encouraging open communication, fostering a growth mindset, and seeking professional guidance are all integral components. Additionally, instilling resilience and empowering the child to advocate for themselves equips them with invaluable tools to navigate the emotional complexities of dyslexia.
The emotional toll of dyslexia on children should not be overlooked. By understanding the nuances of their frustrations, anger, and self-esteem struggles, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for these young individuals. Remember, behind every child battling dyslexia is a resilient spirit waiting to shine through the shadows of doubt.
Wisdom Wishes - My Friends Journey.
In a conversation with a friend a few years ago she was speaking with me about her daughter and I asked the question are there any signs of Dyslexia we expanded the conversations and explained my thinking, asking if she had heard of the eye test you can read more on this and their experience as a family in this Blog written by Sinead.
"For a long time, I had been expressing the opinion that my child was struggling. Struggling in school, struggling with change, struggling with tiredness, struggling to read as proficiently as others the same age as her, struggling with hearing the word no, struggling to get to sleep, struggling with restful sleep, struggling with early wake up’s even though she’s exhausted, struggling with life. Now others may not describe that as struggling, they may just dismiss the child as bold but thankfully I know better.
At the end of January 2022, I acknowledged in myself that my child needed help. Something was not clicking for her. I listened to my inner knowing and began by asking questions of people I trust and am blessed to have in my life. Thankfully Joanne Callan mentioned that there is an eye test which can indicate if your child is dyslexic. Great stuff, I’ll start there."
You can also read about Sinead's wonderful book here https://www.changingcyclescommunity.com/post/book-review-wisdom-s-wishes-by-sin%C3%A9ad-flanagan and it is available to order on the Changing Cycles Website.
You can watch an Interview I did with Sinead here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=506115033671678
More info on eye tests.
Other Resources:
Over the years I have also made other suggestions to parents and have listed them below .
https://www.familyhopecenter.com/ - I have heard Matthew and Carol speak many times and highly recommend their work and approach.
I have had clients who have had fantastic, life changing results by working with what was previously known as The Ballymena Dyslexia Centre https://www.makelearningeasy.co.uk/dyslexia/
Reflexology, Indigo Essences and Probiotics can all support.
I also highly recommend homeopathy for support and you can read more on the Blog linked below.
If I can be of any additional support please get in touch.
Joanne x
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