3 Things to Do When Your Child Is Struggling To Read

I knew something was off by the end of our first homeschool year. 

Hoping against hope, I kept going a second year telling myself that everyone learns at their own pace. 

Truth is, I was scared.

Scared of what people close to me would say if and when they found out that my sixth child could barely read three letter words at age 8 and only write his first name. That their dire predictions, skeptical eyebrows and head shaking would all be emboldened when the news burned through the grapevine.  

It was that fear that held me back a full year longer from talking even to my husband about my concerns. Second to that was the overwhelm of not knowing what to do, where to get help, what would happen if I did. 

Through that dark wall of paralyzing fear a ray of light cracked through. 

What if..instead of the worst I can imagine happening, something good happened?  What if we got quiet, private assistance (even a formal diagnosis) and things improved? What if I got the help I needed to help my son.

I had taught five children in a row to read, write and do math. They were doing great in every measurable metric. I had heard that statistically, one in ten children are neuro-divergent (meaning their brains are ‘wired’ differently by processing information differently than the average person).  

What if I was simply facing the unknown and I was giving in to fear rather than laying hold of faith?It was time to lay hold of faith by stepping out of my proverbial boat to walk on water. 

It started with the belief that this could work out well. That God really does work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His righteousness (Romans 8:28). 

Then I took 3 actions that changed everything in me and in turn for my struggling son. 

1 - I asked around privately to my few local homeschool contacts. A quick private message simply asking if they had encountered a struggling learner by age 8 and if they could recommend a homeschool supportive professional in the area. I got 2 recommendations, sent 2 emails and booked with the one I liked best (she had homeschooled her children!) 

2 - We did an educational assessment with a certified educational therapist in 2 sessions. It was fun for my highly social son and there was no judgment of me as a parent. I waited a week for the results with a knot in my stomach yet it was lighter because I was doing something constructive rather than waiting in dread hoping the problem would go away.

3 - Once the results came back (he was below the first percentile in every category: aka dyslexic which means not learning at the average rate for his age), we developed a plan. The only recommended change in my homeschool approach was our reading program to the Orton-Gillingham Method based All About Reading Level 1.  

I received the custom support and affirmation I needed. It wasn’t too late, people with dyslexia can and do learn with a tweaked approach and they are amazing, productive, thriving people as adults. A year later, we just finished Level 1 and my son is making huge strides. I told close relatives the news once I had a plan in place and was emotionally ready to share.  

If you are concerned about your struggling learner that’s ok. What actions can you take in privacy to move forward right now? If you’d appreciate input, encouragement or prayer support, feel free to join my Big Family Moms community here. Together we will grow in grace & skill so that our children thrive!