Your child has been diagnosed with dyslexia. You know this is a good thing because you now have some answers as to why you’ve seen them struggle to learn to read. While you feel some relief, you’re also not sure where to go from here. Who can you find to help?
Your child’s school will hopefully be an important partner in this journey, but there’s a good chance you will need to find an outside professional as well. This is where it can get tricky, because there are lots of people out there calling themselves different things. There can be a sense of “buyer beware” when finding the right person to partner with.
Let’s talk about who a dyslexia specialist actually is and how they can help you, your family, and your child.
What is a Dyslexia Specialist?
A big part of why it can be tricky finding a qualified professional is because there is no one certifying association for dyslexia specialists. Some are international organizations, some are national nonprofits, some are research centers, and some are for-profit publishing companies.
Wait, really? Yes. There are companies out there selling trainings for their programs that have no accreditation from any other certifying organization.
To further complicate the situation, you have varying lengths to the training programs. Some are a few days or a week and some can take up to five years to complete. Some include no practical experience and some require hundreds of hours of supervised practicum.
Now that you are thoroughly confused, there’s one more factor to consider. What license or certification does the person have? Is their certification from one of those for-profit companies or is it with a state, national, or international board or association?
All of that being said, a dyslexia specialist is someone with broader training in literacy and language and particular training in dyslexia. They often have years of experience first as a general or special education educator, followed by years of training and practicum experience in order to specialize.
They are extremely knowledgeable in:
What dyslexia is
What the learner profile of someone with dyslexia might be
What sort of instruction is required for someone with dyslexia
How to communicate with schools and teachers effectively
How to explain documentation and the assessment process
How to navigate school systems and what to advocate for
How to identify qualified professionals in related fields
It can be confusing wading through the resumes of different professionals out there, but having a highly qualified individual guide you through the process is immensely helpful.
Let’s talk about why...
Why Can’t I Do It Alone?
You are your child’s parent and caregiver. You know them better than anyone else in the world. You’re probably thinking, “why can’t I extend my role to include being their dyslexia guide? I already know what’s best for my child.”
Of course you know your child, but do you know dyslexia? Do you know what your child needs in order to be a successful reader and writer? Do you know how to wade through a 20+ page report and find the important information?
The list of questions could go on, but suffice it to say that the biggest strength a dyslexia specialist can bring to your team is their depth and breadth of knowledge and experience.
Not only can a dyslexia specialist help with the technical knowledge, but imagine the relief that can come with having an expert in your corner. You know that your child will need specific help and intervention, but you need support as well.
You don’t have to go it alone.
More than any of these other reasons though, the biggest thing to remember as the parent of a child with dyslexia is that you cannot stop being their parent. You are not their tutor or interventionist. You are their parent and their caregiver. You are their rock. They need you to continue to shine in that role.
How Can I Find a Dyslexia Specialist?
You are ready to find that professional to guide you on this journey, to restore calm and confidence to your family. We now know that it can be a minefield finding someone, so let’s talk about what to look for.
Here are some questions to consider when finding a dyslexia specialist to support you, your family, and your child.
What sort of support are you looking for?
What are you prepared to commit to?
What experience does this person have?
What qualifications do they have?
What service do they provide?
What sort of communication do they offer?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The right person can make all the difference.
Are You Ready to Get Started?
If you’re ready to commit to the first step, I encourage you to schedule your complimentary parent consultation to chat about how I can help.
You can also look at The International Dyslexia Association, The Academic Language Therapy Association, or resources from your state’s department of education. Just stay away from general Google searches as there unfortunately is misinformation out there as well.
Find the right dyslexia specialist, create a plan, and get started supporting your child.
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