My Child Has Dyslexia: What Now? Support for Parents in California

The First Feelings

Hearing that your child may have dyslexia can stir up many emotions including fear, sadness, confusion, or even relief that there’s finally an answer. All of these feelings are valid. What matters most is what happens next. Dyslexia is not a barrier to success. It’s a learning difference that, with the right support, can become a path to resilience, creativity, and growth.

What Dyslexia Really Is (and Isn’t)

Dyslexia is a neurobiological difference that affects the way the brain processes written language. It is not about intelligence or effort. Children with dyslexia are just as capable and bright as their peers. What’s different is the way they connect sounds, letters, and words.

Children with dyslexia may:

• Struggle with reading fluency, decoding, and spelling.
• Find writing and word retrieval more difficult.
• Need more time to process written information.

But they also often excel in:

• Problem-solving and big-picture thinking
• Creativity, storytelling, and hands-on learning
• Resilience and empathy, built through overcoming challenges

‍What a Diagnosis Means for Daily Life

A dyslexia diagnosis doesn’t mean your child won’t thrive in school or beyond. It simply provides an explanation for why reading and writing have felt harder. It opens the door to supports, accommodations, and teaching methods that actually fit your child’s learning profile.

At home and school, this might look like:

• Extra time on assignments or tests
• Audiobooks or text-to-speech technology
• Structured, evidence-based reading interventions
• Building on your child’s strengths and interests
  

Why Early Support Matters

Research shows that early intervention changes outcomes. Programs rooted in structured literacy approaches (such as Orton-Gillingham or Wilson Reading System) make a significant difference in reading skills, especially when started in early grades.

Unfortunately, some schools still rely on a “wait and see” model, hoping a child will catch up over time. But the truth is, early action matters. With the right supports, children with dyslexia can thrive academically and emotionally. Without it, they risk unnecessary frustration and low self-esteem.

If your child's school says your child may have dyslexia, you don’t have to wait and wonder. NeuroChamp offers comprehensive evaluations and tailored recommendations designed to meet your child’s unique needs. Contact us today to learn how early clarity can set the stage for long-term success.

What Parents Can Do Right Now

1. Partner with your school. Ask about an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan that provides accommodations and services tailored to your child.
2. Consider a private evaluation. A comprehensive dyslexia assessment goes deeper than a school screener and highlights exactly where to intervene.
   
3. Support reading at home. Read together daily, introduce audiobooks, and use multi-sensory tools like tracing letters in sand or building words with magnetic tiles.
4. Focus on confidence. Remind your child that dyslexia is one part of who they are, it is not the whole story. Celebrate effort, creativity, and progress.

Why Professional Evaluations Still Matter

School screenings are a helpful first step, but they only flag potential risk. A full dyslexia evaluation from a licensed educational psychologist digs deeper into your child’s cognitive, academic, and language skills. That means we can tailor interventions to your child’s specific profile instead of applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

At NeuroChamp, our evaluations are:

• Comprehensive- we look beyond reading into memory, processing, and learning patterns.
• Neuroaffirming-  we see the strengths alongside the challenges.
• Action-oriented- families leave with clear, practical next steps.
  

From Worry to Confidence: Take the Next Step

If your child's school has just told you they may have dyslexia, you don’t have to face this alone. With the right support, dyslexia becomes not a limitation but a launchpad for growth.

Schedule your free consultation with NeuroChamp today. Together, we’ll create a clear plan to support your child’s learning journey, so they can thrive in school and in life.

About the Author

Dawnyelle DeLongchamp, M.S., BCBA, LEP
Dawnyelle is a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP #4577) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 25 years of experience. As the founder of NeuroChamp Educational Psychology & Speech Services, she specializes in comprehensive, neuroaffirming evaluations for learning differences, dyslexia, ADHD, autism, anxiety, and more, helping families move from uncertainty to clarity with empathy and practical insight.

‍References

1. International Dyslexia Association. (2023). Definition of Dyslexia.
2. California Department of Education. (2025). Dyslexia Screening and Early Intervention Guidance.
3. Snowling, M. J., & Hulme, C. (2021). Interventions for dyslexia: Evidence-based approaches. Child Development Perspectives.
4. Shaywitz, S. (2020). Overcoming Dyslexia (2nd ed.).