Helping Your Child at Home.

There are a wide variety of resources which parents could employ to help dyslexic children at home. Some of these include:

Books.

Our list of suggested titles includes a section for parents; information on related specific learning difficulties which frequently co-occur with dyslexia; difficulties with maths (dyscalculia); study skills for techniques to improve learning and writing.
There are also recommended titles to read to young children to explain dyslexia.

Books on Dyslexia

BDA Information Sheets.

Our website provides a number of useful information sheets:

• Pre-School Children: Early Help, Better Future
• All Ages: Ideas to Support your Child
• All Ages: Homework Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions for Parents: http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/about-dyslexia/faq/parents.html

Phonics – Essential skill for children in acquiring literacy skills.

Learning to discriminate the individual sounds which make up language and to recognise the individual letters and blends of letters which relate to these sounds is an essential first step in learning to read.

• Focus on Phonics: http://www.focusonphonics.co.uk/
• Pure Sounds: http://www.focusonphonics.co.uk/sound.htm
• Synthetic phonics: KS1. Parents can purchase this software at a discount at participating schools: Phonicshark software
• Dandelion Launchers: phonics reading series for beginner readers: http://www.crossboweducation.com/Phonic-books-dandelion-launchers.htm

Video Clips for Parents.

A series of short videos featuring talks on various topics by leading experts.
Dys Talk

Literacy Programmes.

There are a number of programmes specifically developed to help the dyslexic learner with reading and spelling.

• DIY Readers’ Support Pack For Parents- sound to letter links and early sound blending. http://www.dyslexiaactionshop.co.uk/diypack.html
• Beat Dyslexia: a recently updated multisensory dyslexia programme. http://www.thedyslexiashop.co.uk/beat-dyslexia-book-1.html
• Toe by Toe: Reading. http://www.toe-by-toe.co.uk/
• Launch the Lifeboat to Read and Spell. http://www.robinswood.co.uk/back-catalogue/lifeboat-read-and-spell-scheme/
• Alpha to Omega – Reading and Spelling. http://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/Secondary/EnglishAndMedia/11-14/AlphaToOmega/AlphaToOmega.aspx

Programs using a computer.

Literacy.

Programs designed to make learning fun:

• Nessy: Learning: Reading and Spelling.
• Wordshark: Reading and Spelling.
• Touch type read and Spell: Touch-Typing.
  A multi-sensory computer based learning course.

Writing Composition.

Write-on-line Home User: a writing tool suitable for children aged 9+.

Numeracy.

‘Prepare your child for success with maths’, by Sarah Wedderburn.
An e-book full of fun and everyday ideas for parents and carers to help children develop maths as a life-skill.
Available from Amazon in a Kindle edition.

Numbershark software. Using games to reinforce learning. http://www.wordshark.co.uk/numbershark/numbershark-home-use.aspx

Mindmapping.

Mindmapping is a way of organising information in a graphic, pictorial way which can be effective for the dyslexic learner’s more visual style of processing information.
A useful technique for structuring written work and exams answers.

Kidspiration (for younger children), and Inspirations (for older children).
A visual way to explore and understand words, numbers and concepts. http://www.inspiration.com/Kidspiration

Games to support reading.

There are numerous games available to support reading, spelling and memory. These include:

• Trugs:Teach Reading Using Games.
• SWAP: Reading.
• Stile Dyslexia:
• Magnetic Reading Arc and other alphabet resources. http://www.crossboweducation.com/the%20alphabet.htm#Magnetic_Rainbow_Arc

Excellent Free Resource Websites.

Free IT resources and games are available from:

• http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/literacy/index.htm
• http://www.dyslexia-parents.com/
• http://sparklebox.co.uk/

Further Assistive Software.

The BDA Technologies Committee’s website has comprehensive information on hardware and software useful in assisting dyslexic people of all ages.

Training Courses for Parents.

The BDA also offers short courses for parents.

Local Advice and Support.

The BDA has over 60 affiliated Local Dyslexia Associations round the country, independent charities offering local advice and support.

Private Tuition.

To supplement what the school may be offering, you may also wish to arrange private tuition with a specialist dyslexia tutor.
Email the BDA Helpline for a list for your area and also ask your Local Dyslexia Association for recommendations. helpline@bdadyslexia.org.uk