Supporting Social and Emotional Wellbeing
Dyslexia impacts on parents, families and carers who become distressed that their dependents cannot get the support they need. In both children and adults, when dyslexia is unidentified or unsupported the negative impact can be high – children often lose motivation and become frustrated through the stress of trying to learn, not understanding what dyslexia is and knowing that there are ‘different’ to others because they find difficulty in doing what to others are simple tasks. This can lead to acute behavioural problems both at school and at home including bullying and anti-social behavior, as well as overall severe low self-esteem and frustration for children and adults not reaching their potential.
The impact on adults whose dyslexia is not identified and supported can be under achievement in further education and employment. The negative effects of dyslexia on self-esteem and confidence can lead to high stress levels, damage to personal relationships, day to day difficulties, depression and mental health problems. There is an established link between offenders and dyslexia. It is estimated that over 60% of prisoners have literacy difficulties, mainly dyslexia.
People with dyslexia will benefit from early identification, appropriate intervention and targeted, effective support at the right time.
Supporting children and young people understand themselves as individual and that understand their dyslexia is not a reflection of their cognitive ability. If they are able to develop and maximise their strengths this can help with the areas where they experience difficulties.
Dyslexia Unwrapped is a very helpful website developed by and for dyslexic children and young people.