Speech Therapy Helped My Child Talk — So Why Is Reading Still Hard?

I’ll never forget the day my child’s teacher told me that their reading struggles were just a natural consequence of their speech delay. “They’ll catch up eventually,” she said. But as the months went by and my child continued to struggle, I realized that this advice was not only misleading but also harmful. The truth is, reading struggles are not solely the result of phonological deficits, but rather a complex interplay of auditory, visual, kinesthetic, spatial, and emotional systems.

As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to see your child struggle with reading, especially when you’ve been told that they just need to “try harder” or “practice more.” But what if I told you that this approach is not only ineffective but also damaging to your child’s self-esteem and confidence? The fact is, many children with speech delay histories are being misdiagnosed and misguided, leading to a lifetime of reading struggles and emotional pain.

But there is hope. By understanding the complex interplay of systems that underlie reading development, we can provide our children with the targeted support they need to succeed. In this article, we’ll explore the science-backed truth about reading struggles and provide you with a clear, step-by-step guide to help your child overcome their challenges and develop a lifelong love of reading.

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Reading struggles are not a reflection of a child’s intelligence or potential, but rather a complex interplay of systems that can be addressed with targeted support and the right mindset.

“ – Laura Lurns

Understanding the Misconception: Speech Delay and Reading Challenges

The common advice given to parents of children with speech delay histories who are now struggling with phonics and decoding is that their child’s reading difficulties are solely due to their phonological deficits or that they will “catch up” with time. However, this advice is not only misleading but also harmful, as it ignores the critical role of neuroplasticity and multi-system causation in reading development.

The Bold Truth: Neuroplasticity and Multi-System Causation

Research shows that reading struggles are not solely the result of phonological deficits, but rather a complex interplay of auditory, visual, kinesthetic, spatial, and emotional systems. The brain is highly plastic, and with targeted, intensive practice, children can develop new neural pathways that support reading skills. This understanding is backed by the new IDA definition, which recognizes the importance of early intervention and the role of neuroplasticity in reading development.

Concrete Strategies for Parents

So, what can parents do to help their child overcome reading challenges? First, it’s essential to focus on building reading foundations rather than just addressing phonological deficits. This can be achieved through multisensory instruction that incorporates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic approaches. For example, parents can use visual strategies such as flashcards or visual aids to help their child recognize and remember words.

Another critical aspect is to transform deficit language and embrace neuroplasticity. Instead of using deficit framing like “struggling reader” or “learning disabled,” parents should focus on trainable processing differences and learning differently. This mindset shift can help parents and children approach reading challenges with a growth mindset, rather than a fixed mindset.

Emotional Foundations and Self-Esteem

It’s also essential to address the emotional foundation and repair the child’s self-esteem as a prerequisite to academic skill-building. Children who believe they are “stupid” or “not good at reading” may struggle to take in new learning. Parents can help by fostering a growth mindset and celebrating effort and progress, rather than just focusing on outcomes. By doing so, parents can help their child develop a positive self-image and a love for learning that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Additionally, parents can use growth mindset techniques such as praising effort, providing feedback, and encouraging self-reflection to help their child develop a growth mindset. By combining these strategies with multisensory instruction and focus on reading foundations, parents can help their child overcome reading challenges and develop a lifelong love of reading.

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By focusing on building reading foundations, transforming deficit language, and addressing emotional foundations, parents can help their child develop new neural pathways that support reading skills and develop a lifelong love of reading.

“ – Laura Lurns