Dyslexia Support Options in Your Community

Do you or someone you love live with dyslexia? Dyslexia is one common type of neurodiversity, which describes a collection of differences that can occur and influence how an individual’s brain operates. The term was created by sociologist Judy Singer in a 1988 research paper published at the University of Technology in Sydney. As a carer to both her mother and daughter who were on the Autism spectrum, Singer felt that the narrative around people with autism and other neurological differences lacked nuance and painted a story of tragedy, disability and despair. Whilst some aspects of neurodiversity can be challenging, Singer feels that it is the unwelcoming attitudes of society that is disabling, rather than the neurological differences themselves. This aligns with the social model of disability, which theorises that ‘disability’ is created by inaccessible and non-inclusive societies and that when these accommodate and welcome everyone equally, people will be enabled.

To empower people with dyslexia and other types of neurodiversity, you need a strong and resilient support network. This can include friends, family, caregivers, and professional support networks like peer groups or counsellors. Navigating inaccessible environments, confusing bureaucratic processes, and limiting attitudes and beliefs from uneducated community members is challenging. Don’t try to handle everything alone. Connecting with others who understand your journey can help you feel more connected and give you skills and coping strategies to rely on when things get challenging. Read on to learn more about dyslexia and support options available in Victoria, Western Australia, and South Australia.

What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty (SLD) and difference in brain function that causes difficulty with language, particularly reading and writing. Dyslexic individuals are capable of learning. However, they learn in a different way than people without dyslexia. Unlike other forms of neurodiversity, people with dyslexia primarily have challenges with spelling and written language. However, every dyslexic person experiences language and communication differently; no two people with dyslexia are alike. 

Dyslexia can range from mild to more severe challenges with interpreting language and is often hereditary or genetic. There is no cure for dyslexia, as it is not a disease but a different way of learning and communicating. Early signs of dyslexia often include difficulty understanding the sounds of letters, difficulty reading singular words, slow and inaccurate reading, and more frequent misspelling of words than neurotypical people of the same age group. Dyslexia most often presents as difficulty reading and spelling for no obvious reason. The individual is often intelligent and capable in most other areas of life and only has challenges with reading or writing compared to peers of a similar age and developmental milestones.

Around one in ten Australians are diagnosed with dyslexia, though the actual figures may be much higher. Dyslexia is thought to be misunderstood and underdiagnosed in Australia, with rates of dyslexia as high as 20% in other English-speaking countries. With effective support in learning and other environments, people with dyslexia can do everything that a neurotypical person can do, even if they do it slightly differently.

What causes dyslexia?

Medical experts and researchers don’t know exactly what causes dyslexia. Dyslexia tends to run in families, which suggests it has a genetic or hereditary factor. It seems to be a result of individual differences in the parts of the brain that enable reading and is linked to certain genes that affect how the brain interprets speech and written language. While the exact causes remain unclear, there are some popular theories:

• People with dyslexia may experience poor phonological awareness. Phonological awareness is the ability to distinguish the meaning of contrasting sounds.
• Trouble with phonological awareness is linked with poor short-term memory for spoken words. This could explain challenges for people with dyslexia regarding remembering instructions or lists.
• Visual, auditory, linguistic, or neurological processes that enable recognising written words may not function typically.
• Genetic difficulties with interpreting speech and written words can be inherited from family members.

Younger populations and dyslexia: how does dyslexia affect children, teens, and adults?

The signs and symptoms of dyslexia can be difficult to recognise. Sometimes, you may not realise the challenges exist until the child starts school. Every person with dyslexia is different, and not everyone will present with the same signs and symptoms. Children often learn to work around their reading and language difficulties, making them even more difficult to spot early in their development. Your child or loved one’s teacher may be the first to notice their difficulties. Dyslexia most often becomes apparent when the individual is learning to read. Signs of dyslexia to watch out for vary depending on the severity and age of the individual. Below are some of the common symptoms that appear at different developmental stages.

Before starting school

Before your child has started school, you may notice some signs of dyslexia. These signs do not necessarily mean your child has dyslexia, but it can be useful to note down any of the following that present, so you can talk to your doctor in the future if needed. Some of the common dyslexia signs in children before starting school include the following:

• Late or delayed talking
• Taking longer than expected to learn new words
• Confusing words that sound similar
• Reversing the sounds in words
• Difficulty remembering or identifying letters, numbers, or colours
• Difficulty learning, remembering or reciting nursery rhymes.

School-age children

Once your child starts school, there may be more obvious signs of specific learning difficulties (SLD). Don’t panic if you notice any of these signs. Simply note them down so you can remember them if and when you see your doctor. Some of the common dyslexia signs in school-age children include the following:

• Reading level is significantly below what is expected for their age
• Difficulty understanding or processing words they hear
• Challenges answering questions or finding the right word
• Difficulty remembering sequences and patterns of words
• Challenges hearing or seeing similarities and differences between written and verbal words and letters
• Struggling to ‘sound out’ the pronunciation of a new or unfamiliar word
• Spelling difficulties
• Requiring a longer amount of time than normal for reading or writing tasks
• Avoiding or becoming frustrated with activities involving reading.

Teens and adults

Signs of specific learning difficulty in adulthood and teen years are similar to those in children. However, adults often learn ways to mask or work around their dyslexia, making them more difficult to spot. Open, compassionate, and supportive conversations with adults and teens can help identify learning challenges. Some of the common dyslexia signs in teens and adults include the following:

• Problems with reading and reading aloud
• Reading and writing appear slow and laborious
• Spelling difficulties
• Avoidance or disengagement from reading activities
• Mispronunciation of names or words
• Problems retrieving or remembering the right word
• Taking an excessively long time for tasks involving reading and writing
• Inability to summarise a story
• Challenges learning a new language above what is expected
• Challenges with math word problems, these challenges may or may not be present with math problems without words.

When to see your doctor

Most children are ready to learn, including some reading and writing, by about kindergarten or prep age. If you notice your child struggling with reading by this age, it could be a sign they need some additional support. Dyslexia is one of many causes that can create learning challenges, so don’t delay seeking medical advice. Always inform your doctor or trusted healthcare professional if your child’s reading level is below what is expected for their age and development milestones. If you notice any of the above signs, keep a record to give your doctor as much information as possible to make an accurate diagnosis and put appropriate support in place. Undiagnosed and unmanaged dyslexia can create ongoing and cumulative learning difficulties and delays, so the earlier you can intervene, the better.

Supporting a person with dyslexia: etiquette do’s and don’ts

We all want the best for our child, but if we aren’t familiar with the challenges of dyslexia, it can be hard to know the best way to support our loved one to learn as well as possible. Here are some do’s and don’t’s to keep in mind.

Do’s

1. Contact a qualified and experienced professional:

Contact a qualified and experienced professional with the expertise to evaluate and treat dyslexia. Not all speech-language pathologists, psychologists, and clinical educators are equally qualified in this field, so be sure to do your research.

2. Get a professional evaluation:

Reading problems rarely correct themselves. Even if you aren’t sure your loved one has dyslexia, getting a formal evaluation is the best way to support them in identifying and managing any learning challenges early.

3. Act as soon as possible:

It can be scary and upsetting to acknowledge your child’s learning difficulties. However, delaying intervention can make things more difficult for you and your child. The sooner your child gets the learning support they need, the better their chances of catching up to their peers and having a positive learning experience.

4. Work with your healthcare provider

Work with your healthcare provider to find a treatment approach that works for you and your child. There are many different ways to help people with dyslexia. Every person with dyslexia is different, and what works for one individual may not suit another. Work with your clinician and your child to find what works best for their unique skills, challenges, and preferences.

Don’ts

1. Assume your child’s school will notice and solve the problem:

Teachers and school staff are trained to help children with reading problems but are not qualified to assess and treat dyslexia. Don’t expect that they will notice if anything is wrong. Always check with a trusted medical professional to ensure your child doesn’t fall through the gaps in the education system.

2. Blame yourself or others for your child’s learning challenges:

Dyslexia is caused by a difference in brain chemistry and is nobody’s fault. Avoid blaming yourself or other caregivers, teachers, or other people in your child’s life. Working together with everyone who cares about your child collaboratively and supportively is the best way forward for all involved.

3. Punish or berate your child for their reading difficulties:

People with dyslexia are not lazy or lacking motivation or intelligence. They are usually quite willing to engage in reading and writing once they have the right support.

4. Rely on standardised reading aid programs:

There are many great learning aids for children struggling with reading, but they are unlikely to offer the individualised support your child needs to manage their dyslexia. Your healthcare practitioner is the best person to advise you on what supports your child needs. Adding extra ones that are not customised to your child may only confuse them further.

5. Mistake a learning difficulty for a vision problem:

Dyslexia is not a result of a vision problem. Taking your child to an optometrist is a great way to check on their overall eye health, but it will not be a suitable substitute for treatment for dyslexia.

6. Expect things to change overnight:

There is no quick fix for dyslexia, and it will likely take some time to catch up to their peers’ reading and writing levels. The daily practice and regular check-ins with your doctor will help, and you should start to see noticeable improvements with patience and consistency.

8 Dyslexia support organisations in Australia

Victoria

SPELD Victoria

SPELD Victoria’s purpose is to assist the estimated 5-10% of all Victorians with Specific Learning Difficulties to achieve their full learning potential. We achieve this through the provision of direct service delivery, information, advocacy, and awareness raising amongst the broader Victorian community.

Dyslexia Victoria Support (DVS)

DVS is a state and international award-winning community group supporting the Science of Reading (SOR) and evidence-based education for literacy difficulties. It is a place to seek advice and support for Specific Learning Difficulties. DVS is run by a team of volunteer parents supported by; Teachers, Allied Health Professionals such as Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Speech Pathologists, Academics, Parents, Grandparents, Specialist Tutors, Schools, and people who have literacy difficulties or dyslexia. They also operate a closed Facebook group for online community support and information sharing.

Western Australia

Dyslexia – SPELD Foundation of WA Inc (DSF)

DSF has supported West Australian children and adults with learning disabilities for over 40 years. It provides advice and support to families and educators on successful literacy acquisition, evidence-based practice, and the strategies most likely to improve literacy outcomes for all students.

South Australia

SPELD SA Inc

SPELD SA is a non-profit organisation that provides advice and services to children and adults with specific learning difficulties and those who care for, teach, and work with them. Find out more via their website or visit them on Facebook.

Dyslexia SA

Dyslexia SA is a not-for-profit volunteer group of parents, community members, educators, and health professionals concerned with the well-being and success of people with dyslexia and dyslexia-type learning needs.

Australia-Wide

Dyslexia Support Australia

This online support community is an evidence-based (closed) Facebook group with strict rules about advertising and promoting non-evidence-based methods for dyslexia.

Learning Difficulties Australia (LDA)

LDA members are in all states of Australia and some overseas members. LDA members are from many professional backgrounds, the most common being teachers, speech pathologists, academics, and psychologists.

Learning Difficulties Australia (LDA) is a non-profit organisation for education professionals dedicated to using scientifically based methods to improve learning for all students.

Australian Dyslexia Association

The Australian Dyslexia Association is an NFP Organisation that provides services to adults and children, schools and individuals. The ADA is a professional association borne from real-life Specialist Teachers and related professionals in the field including Speech and language therapists, Occupational therapists and informed Developmental and Educational Psychologists who have encountered and embraced the need to learn about dyslexia and the teaching they require.

How Homage can support your loved one with dyslexia

Managing a learning difficulty is not only challenging for your child or loved one. Going through the assessment and treatment process is often emotionally challenging for you and your entire family. Don’t try to do it all alone. Homage’s team of compassionate, highly trained and friendly Care Professionals are ready to help. Our companionship service matches your loved one with the perfect support worker for their preferences and needs. They can support reading and writing activities, and help your loved one start to learn skills and strategies to overcome their reading and writing difficulties. 

Get expert care right to your doorstep with Homage. With our pool of certified local caregivers and nurses, we will match your loved ones to the right care they need. Get started with an obligation-free chat today.

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