selective focus photo of a tired boy in a hoodie doing his homework, Teen Newly Diagnosed with Dyslexia

Supporting a Teen Newly Diagnosed with Dyslexia

Recently, I had a brief but exciting discussion with a parent on Instagram who asked how to support her teen newly diagnosed with dyslexia. Now here’s the thing, he’s in private school. Now, private schools are under no obligation to do anything, but this student’s school is willing to work with the student. I’m going to go over my advice on what to do in  this unique situation. 

This will be great for any homeschoolers out there who have a child with a hidden disability, or any high school spec ed teachers, counselor, or college disability professionals who come across newly diagnosed students. It happens all the time. So, take some notes and even refer this episode to others who may find it helpful. Oh, know that I’ll be talking directly to this parent and include my own parental views on this because my son has dyslexia too.  So, keep that in mind as you listen. 

What I love about this scenario is that it mimics much of what a student may need to do in college, but also what I would want for every 14 year old high schooler with an IEP or 504 plan. From learning about themselves and their own disability, how to adjust to academics, communication, and what accommodations are needed, this is a great episode to demonstrate what a student has to do in college, independently. 

I want to thank the mom who gave me permission to do this episode, and I’m really excited for this. If you’d like to listen, click the player below.

So, what do we do first. 

1. Dyslexia does not define you.

Dyslexia First, make sure your son knows that any diagnosis does not define him. It’s part of him but not the whole. It’s not a deficit but something to cope and learn about and even manage. More importantly, Dyslexia is not a reflection of intelligence but rather a different way of processing information. 

Any disability is not a reflection of your worth or intelligence. You are not broken and did nothing to deserve this. It’s not a punishment. What we told our son from the beginning was that it was not his fault. It’s genetics and runs in families. Also, the ability to read is not an inherent brain characteristic. For dyslexics, it just takes some effort to find out what works for you. My wife and I said this countless times to him and helped him not take it so hard. 

We also said it aloud all the time. My son heard his diagnosis stated almost daily. It normalized it and he got to appoint where he was not only ok with hearing it, he did not hesitate to tell people about it. That one thing I’m really happy we did for him. I talked a lot about this in Episode 46. 

2. Advice for Your Teen

It’s essential to address your teen directly, helping them understand and cope with their dyslexia. Here are some key points to share with your teen:

The first three are designed to help with self-advocacy. You’ll hear me say often that you can’t advocate from ignorance. You need knowledge. Here’s how to get it. 

Learn everything about your dyslexia. What is it and where does it come from? Learn about the diagnosis. Be careful to not personalize it but look for the bits of information that help you accept the diagnosis and more on to problem solving. 

Identify your strengths and weaknesses.  You might be great at thinking outside the box, solving problems, being creative, or noticing things others miss. Those are your superpowers—use them to your advantage. Why? Because you also have areas of weakness. For example, when I was reading a lot of evaluations, it was common for a student to have a deficit in one area but also a strength in another such as poor reading comprehension but great auditory comprehension and memory. Know what this is for you. 

This is important for this next part. 

Learn what works and what doesn’t. This is a process. It’s a new diagnosis. For those students who are also learning about their disability for the first time, this is critical information. It often takes trial and error but that’s ok. It’s a process and what works can change. So, get used to looking at this as a continuous process of self-evaluation. Some classes may be harder than others and some assignments earlier than others. It is all important information.  

For example, my son went through a lot of different assistive tech programs to see what would work and what didn’t. Yep, he got frustrated for sure, but each time he learned what he liked or didn’t and how each program helped or did not. He ended up using a program that is effective for him. But it took some time. 

I cover these three areas and more in my book, Self advocacy for Higher Education. You will be an informed student after reading it and I’m all about being informed.  

Be patient and give yourself and your parents and school officials some grace. You are all learning here. No one is going to be an expert at first, but this is all about making you an expert on what works for you and what you need. It’s going to be complicated, frustrating, and hard at times. It’s also going to be worth it. How? You get to have a whole support system all for your benefit and all working towards the same goal: helping you find what works for you. That is pretty unique and really important to keep in mind. 

3. Collaborate with the School

Private schools may not offer formal IEPs, but many are willing to create informal support plans. Meet with the school’s teachers, counselors, and administrators to discuss accommodations like:

  • Extra time on tests and assignments.
  • Access to audiobooks and assistive technology.
  • Multi-sensory teaching methods and recorded lectures.

Regular communication with teachers can ensure these strategies are implemented effectively. Request access to syllabi and assignment calendars in advance to help your teen stay organized and prepared.

4. Leverage Technology and Tools

Assistive technology can make a significant difference for teens with dyslexia. Equip your teen with tools such as:

  • Text-to-speech programs like NaturalReader or Kurzweil 3000.
  • Speech-to-text tools like Dragon NaturallySpeaking or built-in options on most devices.
  • Apps for note-taking and organization, such as Notability or OneNote.

Audiobooks through platforms like Learning Ally or Bookshare allow your teen to access required readings without struggling with text.

5. Develop Effective Study Strategies

Teach your teen to break assignments into smaller tasks to make them manageable. Encourage them to preview class materials and review notes afterward to reinforce learning. Use graphic organizers to help with writing and essay planning. By working in chunks, tasks feel less overwhelming and more achievable.

6. Engage Outside Support

Consider hiring a tutor who specializes in dyslexia, particularly one trained in methods like Orton-Gillingham. A therapist or counselor can help your teen navigate the emotional aspects of dyslexia, such as frustration or self-doubt. 

7. Focus on Emotional Resilience

This comes from a growth mindset. What is that? Simply, it is a mindset that accepts things will be hard but the effort is worth it. It leads to a lot of benefits emotionally and building the internal resources to take on new challenges and there will be a lot of them. The better you get at practicing a growth mindset, the better your resilience will be. I went over all this in Episode 30, The Power of Yet. 

8. Monitor Progress and Adapt

Keep track of your teen’s academic and emotional progress. Be flexible and willing to try new strategies if something isn’t working. Open communication between you, your teen, and their school is key to ongoing success.

Conclusion

Supporting a teen with dyslexia is a journey of understanding, patience, and creativity. By working with the school, leveraging tools, and fostering self-advocacy, you can empower your teen to thrive. Most importantly, remind them that dyslexia is just one part of their story and that their potential is limitless.