by Hailey Thompson

Exam period can be a stressful time for teens, parents and teachers alike.
Everyone wants their child to do their best, whatever that looks like for them, and
for older teens, there can be additional pressure around needing the results to get
into higher education.

But there can be even more stress for people with dyslexia, who may struggle with
the mainstream method of exam preparation offered in school. If you’re trying to
support someone in this position, you may feel a bit lost when it comes to what
practical assistance you can offer. Here, we take a look at three things you can do to help.

Help them make a plan
Especially in their mid-teens, high school students may find themselves
overwhelmed with the amount of subjects they need to revise for, and the
number of exams they have on their timetable. This can lead to panic, and a feeling
of running out of time, which impacts their mental wellbeing as well as their ability
to study.

One thing you can do is to offer to help them make a plan to manage their time,
so that they know that they have enough time to revise for all their subjects, as
well as knowing clearly when exams are. They could put this up in their bedroom,
or in a communal space like the kitchen, so that everyone knows when they’ll be
focusing.
Just make sure that you use this as a support tool for your teen, and not as a
way for you to put pressure on them when they’re taking a break.

Support shared studying
Some people with dyslexia find it hard to study alone. Dyslexia can
make it hard for teens to concentrate, and reading their notes alone can be
very hard work. Instead, support your teen by facilitating shared study time,
perhaps with friends or in after school study groups. You can also ask older
relatives or friends to help, if they’ve sat the exam before.

By letting your teen know that you are ok with them having people over to
study, or taking them to a friend’s house, you are giving them practical support.
If you’re able to and they want to, you could also offer to quiz them, or let them
talk through a specific area to check their understanding.

Consider getting them extra support
Your teen might not feel comfortable with you helping test them, or you might
not feel that you have enough knowledge on the subject. In this instance, getting
a tutor can help them get the answers they need, and teens with dyslexia might
find that they have a better understanding of a topic if they talk through it, rather
than read it themselves.

Tutors can also help with confidence, and show your teen that they have the
tools they need to succeed in their exams. Make sure to do your homework
beforehand, and choose a tutor that is right for your family, and make it clear
to your child that they can let you know if the tutor turns out not to be the right fit.
It’s really important to make sure they trust this person and feel comfortable with
them in order to get the most out of their sessions.