When your child is learning to read and write, he may reverse letters that look alike, such as "d" and "b," and it may go away the more he practices. Letter reversal can also be a symptom of a language-based learning disability called dyslexia, where your child's brain suffers an impairment with translating written images received by his eyes. Dyslexia occurs most commonly in children with normal intelligence and vision and can therefore seem confusing and frustrating both for parents and children; special tutoring is recommended to support your child's emotional and psychological well-being.
Step 1
Listen to audio books available at your local library or for purchase at your local bookstore, and then read the same story out loud where your child can see the words being read to her.
Step 2
Find a tutor that can coach your child in his writing and reading skills and can have a wide range of activities that will support his progress and success. This process may be fast or slow, depending on the severity of your child's disability.
Step 3
Seek counseling from a private pediatric therapist or a counselor from your child's school to give your child a space where she can share and process any feelings of low self-esteem, frustration or sadness related to her impairment.
Step 4
Enroll your child in activities that do not involve writing or reading, such as sports, where your child can excel and rest from the pressure of learning to read and write correctly.
Step 5
Ask your child's teachers to give her extra time to finish tests and class assignments, suggests the website KidsHealth, powered by pediatric health system Nemours.
Step 6
Provide open communication with your child and his teachers about his progress and achievements.
Tips and Warnings
- Join support groups made up of parents with children that have similar learning disorders to learn of alternative ways they are using to help their children and share your own experiences.
- If dyslexia is left untreated it can affect your child emotionally and she may exhibit anxiety, aggression and alienation from others.
