How to support a foster child with dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects somebody’s reading, writing and spelling, as well as memory and organisation.

It is fairly common, affecting about 1 in 10 people in the UK. Though some people are diagnosed in childhood, many don’t receive a diagnosis until later in life. Living with dyslexia mean that everyday reading and writing tasks are more challenging for those without the condition.

At Beacon Fostering, we hope to make those providing foster care aware of conditions that they may come across when fostering children, and how they can help them. Read on to find out how you can support a child with dyslexia.

Spotting signs

These vary depending on the age of the child; however, there are some key things to look out for. They include getting letters mixed up and/or reversed when writing, omitting or rereading sentences, and disorganisation with homework and tasks.

School support

Depending on the school your foster child attends, there may be support for students who have dyslexia in the form of special literacy groups or an inclusion/SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) department.

If your child is having difficulty in reading and writing, talk to their class teacher or English teacher, who will take the next step in supporting your child.

Support at home

At home, continue to support your child in their learning and everyday life. As well as reading together, you can use audiobooks (either physical or digital), visuals for remembering things and coloured backgrounds for reading if need be. Dyslexic people often have other strengths like creativity and imaginative thinking, so encourage them to try activities such as arts and crafts, science and technology and design.