Any major life change or update can be scary. And for most parents, their biggest fears
include their children’s future. If you are a parent reading this who has recently, or ever
dealt with an unwanted diagnosis for your child, we see you. Your feelings are valid and
there is no shame in fearing what’s to come.
But, we are here to tell you that this is not the end, it’s only the beginning. The
beginning of a journey that will take you down roads you never dreamt of
exploring…Roads that will lead you to a life you never knew you needed.
In Emily Perl Kingsley’s poem, Welcome to Holland, she eloquently describes the fear,
heartbreak and joy (yes, joy!) a parent experiences when learning their child has a
developmental disorder of any kind. She metaphorically describes the journey as a trip
she never intended to take but was destined to explore. We’ve included her beautiful
poem below.
If you are experiencing fears about dyslexia, you are not alone. We’re sharing 5 fears
we hear all the time from families who come to DSH after a recent dyslexia diagnosis.
FEAR: My child won’t be able to read. If they can’t read, how will they learn?
FACT: Having dyslexia does not stop people from reading or learning! It merely allows
them to read and learn differently. Whether your child needs prevention or intervention,
the experts at Dyslexia School of Houston are available to help.
FEAR: My child won’t get into college.
FACT: People with dyslexia are accepted to college everyday. The earlier your child has
the proper tools to accommodate dyslexia, the longer you can feel confident they will fly
high on their own when it’s time to leave the nest.
FEAR: My child will be bullied for not being like their peers
FACT: Kids can be mean, that’s for sure. They will always find something to tease
somebody about. As adults, it’s our duty to instill kindness in the younger generations
regardless of their circumstances.
FEAR: My child will struggle with self-esteem
FACT: We all struggle with insecurities, right? At DSH, children have a safe learning
environment where they don’t fear what peers will say or do if they mispronounce a
word or fall behind in class. At DSH, our self-esteem is channeled through our
struggles!
FEAR: This is all my fault.
FACT: According to the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity, genetics play a part in
dyslexia and language impairment. However, there are children of non-dyslexics
diagnosed with dyslexia or a learning disability everyday. More importantly, when your
child does learn to read, write and succeed in society…you will have played a bigger
part in that!
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