How Do I Find Dyslexia Friendly Schools?

Finding dyslexia friendly schools is usually not very difficult if one has already identified the potential student as dyslexic. Dyslexia is a relatively common learning disability that many schools are capable of supporting even if the school is not explicitly known for being dyslexia friendly. In many cases, finding dyslexia friendly schools is as simple as consulting a list of these schools that has been compiled by an organization concerned with this disorder. What is important in most cases is not choosing a school that focuses on supporting dyslexia but rather finding the right school for the individual student.

One way to find dyslexia friendly schools is to research potential schools and interview people at the school about its staff and practices. There are many guides available for conducting these interviews, but in general, it is best to ask questions about how specifically dyslexic students are supported and whether or not the school has the resources to adequately take care of them. Specific topics about the curriculum, how often reports are sent home, and disciplinary procedures are also important to discuss.

A great way to find dyslexia friendly schools is to get in touch with other parents of dyslexic children. Parents with a lot of experience at a particular school are often more open about the positive and negative aspects of the school's program than school officials themselves might be. It is possible to learn a lot about a school from both the parents’ and the child's experiences, particularly if the parents are already acquaintances. Even so, it is important to be careful when using these accounts as different children respond better to different types of support.

Finding dyslexia friendly schools can be very difficult in some areas that do not have adequate access to resources or that do not have the staff to support special education well. When one is restricted in terms of location, finding schools of this type may not be possible. In these cases, it may be best to look for teachers who are particularly well prepared to work with students who have this learning disorder.

Many areas have lists of dyslexia friendly schools available that outline the specific benefits each school offers to children with dyslexia. These lists can be a great way to start a search for a school for a dyslexic child, but most parents find that investigating each school further will yield some matches that are better than others. The organizations that create these lists may also be able to provide individual recommendations in consultation with parents.