1. Ask Your Primary Care Provider

Your child’s primary care provider (PCP) can use developmental screening tools to help determine if reading issues are a concern. A PCP can also help you to rule out medical concerns that can look like dyslexia symptoms.

Learn how to bring up a concern.

2. Request a Dyslexia Screening

Beginning with the 2023-24 academic year, public schools in Ohio will screen all elementary-age students in grades K-3 for dyslexia. Families with children in grades 4-6 can also request a dyslexia screening for their child.

When a dyslexia screening identifies a child who is at risk, the school will observe your child’s progress and/or provide structured literacy instruction. In many cases, this may be enough to help the child reach the same reading level as their peers.

Learn more about dyslexia screening in Ohio.

3. Find a Mental Health Professional

While a school dyslexia screening (#2) can indicate a risk of dyslexia, schools cannot make a dyslexia diagnosis. Families who choose to pursue diagnosis sometimes work with psychologists, neuropsychologists or with multi-functional teams that include mental health professionals and speech-language pathologists. Before working with these professionals, make sure to check insurance coverage (see also, “I suspect my child is dyslexic” in the FAQ).

Many families also work with mental health professionals to help their children with counseling (#6) or skills coaching.

Learn how to choose a mental health provider to work with your family (guide) (podcast).

4. Practice Literacy at Home

Children begin literacy work in infancy, from learning to recognize voices and sounds, to interacting with books, rhymes and stories. When families expose children to the building blocks of literacy at early ages, children have more opportunities to learn.

Learn about ways to build literacy skills with your child from this podcast.

5. Work with a Reading Tutor

While students may receive reading intervention in school, many families choose to use private reading tutors to supplement school services. Families who choose to employ private tutors may also be able to access funding through Ohio's funding sources for learning loss.

Search the provider directory for a tutor or schedule an Ask Us session to get 1:1 help finding providers near you.

6. Work with a Speech-Language Pathologist or Occupational Therapist

Spoken language provides the foundation for reading. Whether children are just beginning to speak or they need help structuring their thoughts so they can put it into writing, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) may be able to help.

Because many children with dyslexia also struggle with sloppy writing and executive functioning skills, it can also be helpful to work with an occupational therapist (OT). OTs can also guide families to assistive technology solutions (#8).

Search the provider directory for a SLP or OT or schedule an Ask Us session to get 1:1 help finding providers near you.

7. Build on Strengths

Children with dyslexia are often very bright and creative, but may struggle with poor self-esteem or academic anxiety related to problems in the classroom. Helping your child to understand their strengths can build confidence and self-esteem.

Learn more about academic anxiety with this podcast or listen to this podcast for ideas to build self-esteem.

8. Use Assistive Technology

Newer technologies, like read-aloud functions on eBooks, can help students with dyslexia to continue building academic skills. Families may also use recording devices, speech-to-text software and browser extensions to improve access to written material.

Learn about some of the free tools available with this article from Understood. You can also try assistive technology right now by clicking the purple icon on the lower left side of this screen. Next, click the Font tool until OpenDyslexic is selected.

9. Communicate with School

While new dyslexia screening laws are making it easier to identify and help children who are at risk, families are still an important part of reading success. Consistent communication with your child’s teacher can help you to work as a team to support your child.

Learn how to communicate better with your child’s school (guide) (podcast).