Does Dyslexia cause stress and anxiety in children? How to help them overcome these problems?

Albert Einstein once wrote to his friend, ‘’Thoughts did not come in a verbal formulation. I very rarely think in words at all. A thought comes and I may try to express it in words afterwards.” Picasso’s art, when he presented his paintings by moving things out of order or flipping them backwards, was taken as a unique perspective. However, in reality it presented his difficulties as a person dealing with dyslexia. Henry Wrinkler, a famous actor, stated that he did not read his first book until he was 31. He described his experience as horrible and scary. While each of these names went on to make a mark in their respective fields, their struggles with dyslexia impacted their earlier days. Richard Branson, a successful entrepreneur, stated that dyslexia was not a disadvantage but a different way of thinking. However, it was difficult for people around to get the perspective of this unique world.

Most of the anxiety and stress experienced by children with dyslexia comes from the fact that they are unable to explain themselves to those around them. Words such as ‘lazy’, ‘inattentive’, ‘naughty’ are often used to describe their behaviour in parent-teacher meetings. Their out-of-the-book ideas are looked upon as outlandish. It is like a game of charades where you are trying to describe an elephant but the other person is guessing a giraffe. Think about how we get irritated, angry and frustrated when the other person is unable to understand what we are saying. Such experiences on a regular basis tend to cause stress and anxiety in children with dyslexia. They then tend to skip school or social activities that go on to highlight their difficulties. They tend to lack confidence which may even hinder them from participating in activities that they enjoy. However, with growing awareness, people are becoming more empathetic and supportive. Let us look at a few ways in which we can help reduce stress and anxiety for those who are trying to understand the world in their own unique ways:

1. Finding an appropriate environment to study: Finding a school which is inclusive and flexible to accommodate the needs of the child would be a great place to begin. Years spent in school lay the foundation for learning and help develop interest in decoding the world around. Teachers in schools should be debriefed about the difficulties faced by the child. This will help them build a conducive and supportive environment. It is important to be aware of the thinking patterns of dyslexic students in order to use appropriate strategies. For instance, writing the timetable on the whiteboard or soft board and using symbols along with words to indicate the subjects can prove to be a simple yet effective graphical organisational strategy for children with dyslexia. It is important to remember that students learn best when they feel welcomed, comfortable and safe.
2. Making a school toolbox: If assisted with the right tools, we are all happy and comfortable to work even in challenging environments. In the case of children with dyslexia, a great deal of anxiety and stress originates from not finding the correct tools to work with. Using a pencil gripper or stickers and highlighters can prove to be helpful for these children. Hence, making a toolbox depending on the needs and preferences of the child can make daily tasks easier and more enjoyable. Some of the things that can be used at school and at home are:
   1. Magnetic letters
   2. Writing finger spacers
   3. Reading rulers
   4. Sand timers
   5. Set of high frequency word cards

   Using these tools correctly will require practice and may even need to be modified over time. However, once mastered, each of them will help the child to become independent thus boosting their confidence.

3. Building confidence: Children with dyslexia lack confidence because they may not be able to do activities that can be done easily by their peers. Lack of support from parents, teachers and peers due to lack of awareness further adds to the stress and anxiety. Hence, it is important to be flexible with activities in order to be inclusive. A child with dyslexia may be interested in participating in a play but may feel anxious about learning so many lines. It is important to identify this interest even if it is not a strength and the child should be encouraged to participate in whatever capacity possible. A small role with fewer lines can also boost the child’s confidence to face an audience. It will also allow them to enjoy the activities along with their peers. Teachers and parents need to regularly appreciate and support an effort taken by the child. They should also be encouraged to try new activities beyond their comfort zones to explore options.
4. Technological assistance: If used appropriately, technology can be a fantastic friend for children with dyslexia. It can not only reduce their anxiety but can even provide a window to their creativity. A number of applications can provide reading assistance. Audiobooks will let a child enjoy a book at the required speed and with an understandable accent. This experience has been further enhanced by providing entertaining visuals, making it easier to focus and comprehend. Parents and teachers can then ask the child to summarise the story or tell them about their favourite character to understand their level of comprehension. This can also help build a bond with the child as it shows an interest in the activities that the child engages in. These dialogues will help get a perspective to what the child is thinking, their anxieties and emotions. There are also applications that transcribe voice to text, thus helping children record their thoughts easily. These applications are complete with smart text predictions and suggestions. These applications can also be used for emotion regulation in anxiety-provoking situations. Helping a child put together songs or calming sounds that they can listen to during stressful times can be a simple trick to be prepared. Technology can be used like a safety net that is just a button away and can be carried around easily.

Anxiety and stress are terms that we are all familiar with. Each one of us has experienced them in some form or the other and have our own ways to deal with them. Similarly, children with dyslexia too have experiences that cause anxiety and stress. Helping them find ways to make themselves independent and confident will help them a great deal. It is important to remember that each child, their experiences and thus their solutions will be unique. We just need to be open to reorganise and flip our options to help them help themselves.

Author: Akshada Kulkarni, Teaching Faculty,

Junior School, The Aditya Birla Integrated School

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