By Rosalin Abigail KYERE-NARTEY
It’s a scene that plays out in African homes and classrooms: a child struggles with schoolwork, shows little interest in reading or writing, and seems distracted or disengaged. Frustrated parents and teachers might assume the worst: “They’re just being lazy”. But the reality is often far from laziness.
For many children, especially those with learning differences like dyslexia, academic struggles stem from difficulties in processing information, not a lack of effort.
This misunderstanding can be harmful, both to the child’s academic progress and their emotional well-being. When a child is mislabelled as lazy or inattentive, it can lead to shame, low self-esteem and a growing resistance to school. To support these children, it’s essential that we move beyond assumptions and recognise the need for early intervention and specialised support.
What is Dyslexia and why is it misunderstood?
Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences, affecting how the brain processes written and spoken language. Children with dyslexia may struggle with reading, spelling and writing even though they are as bright and capable as their peers. This often leads to a frustrating experience in the classroom, where these children may fall behind despite their efforts.
Dyslexia doesn’t mean a lack of intelligence or ambition, it simply means that the brain processes information differently. However, because these children don’t fit the traditional mould of learning, their struggles can easily be mistaken for lack of effort or laziness. As a result, they are often unfairly judged.
Many children with dyslexia try their hardest, yet they encounter repeated failure. Over time, this can cause them to feel defeated, believing they aren’t smart enough to succeed. When educators and parents recognise the signs of dyslexia early and intervene with appropriate strategies, they can transform the educational experience for these children.
Common signs of Dyslexia
Dyslexia manifests in various ways, and each child’s experience is unique. However, some common signs can help parents and teachers identify whether a child may be struggling with this learning difference:
- Difficulty recognising letters or associating them with sounds
- Trouble with spelling and reading fluency
- Avoidance of reading or writing tasks
- Slow to learn new words or understand rhyming patterns
- Difficulty following multi-step instructions
- Poor handwriting or trouble with organising written work
- Frustration or acting out when faced with reading or schoolwork
If any of these signs sound familiar, it’s essential to seek a professional evaluation. Early identification is crucial because it opens the door to specialised teaching methods that can help children thrive academically.
Why early intervention matters
The earlier a learning difference like dyslexia is identified, the sooner a child can receive the targeted support they need. Without intervention, a child with dyslexia may fall further behind academically and develop a negative relationship with learning.
The emotional impact can be profound; frustration, anxiety and low self-esteem often follow when a child continually struggles in school despite their best efforts.
Early intervention can change this trajectory. By identifying dyslexia early, parents and educators can implement strategies that play to the child’s strengths while addressing their specific challenges. Intervention might include:
- Multi-sensory learning: Techniques that engage multiple senses (sight, sound, touch) to help children better understand and retain information.
- One-on-one tutoring: Working with a specialist who understands dyslexia can give children the individualised attention they need to succeed.
- Classroom accommodations: Simple adjustments, such as extra time on tests, audiobooks or using voice-to-text software, can make a significant difference in a dyslexic child’s school experience.
Creating a supportive environment
Support at home and school is vital for children with dyslexia to thrive. A key part of this support is understanding that the child is not lazy or incapable, they are simply learning differently. Parents and teachers should focus on building confidence and creating an environment where the child feels safe to take on challenges without fear of judgment.
Encouragement at home
- Praise the child’s efforts, not just their outcomes. This reinforces that persistence matters, even when results are not immediate.
- Be patient. Learning with dyslexia can be slow, and progress may seem uneven; but with the right strategies, it will come.
- Focus on the child’s strengths. Dyslexic children are often highly creative or excel in problem-solving. Help them see that academic difficulties do not define their abilities.
Image: Mobile Health Consult
Advocacy at school:
- Work with teachers to ensure the child’s needs are being met. Ask about classroom accommodations and, if necessary, seek out a learning support team to put together an individualised education plan (IEP).
- Encourage teachers to use multi-sensory techniques that engage different learning pathways. Visual aids, hands-on activities and oral discussions can help children with dyslexia understand new concepts more effectively.
It’s time to change the narrative
It’s crucial to stop assuming that a child struggling academically is simply not trying hard enough. In many cases, what they need is not punishment or reprimands but understanding and support. Dyslexia is a lifelong condition, but with early identification, targeted interventions, and a supportive environment, children with dyslexia can learn to overcome their challenges and thrive academically.
By recognising that every child learns differently, we can stop unfair labels like “lazy” from being attached to children who are doing their best. Instead, we can focus on giving them the tools and support they need to succeed. After all, with the right approach, every child can unlock their potential and achieve academic success.
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and we invite everyone to take this opportunity to learn more about dyslexia and how it affects millions of people across Africa. Visit the Africa Dyslexia Organisation’s website at www.africadyslexia.org and follow us on all our social media platforms @africadyslexiaorg to discover resources, information and ways to get involved in supporting children and adults with dyslexia. Together, we can create a more inclusive world where learning differences are understood, respected and supported.
>>>the writer is a dyslexic, and the Founder and Executive Director of the Africa Dyslexia Organisation. She is dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for the rights of individuals with dyslexia across Africa.
