When it comes to dyslexia, your mum might be the strongest voice in your corner and that special person you go to when it all gets a little too much. They can be some of our biggest advocates and supporters when we’re in education and beyond, and it’s always nice to have somebody who understands that dyslexia can be tricky sometimes.
These kinds of supportive mums are awesome, guaranteed. But what often goes overlooked is that a large number of people with dyslexia will have a dad or a mum with dyslexia, too.
Dyslexia mostly appears to run in families, affecting multiple generations and manifesting in a number of different ways. Anywhere between 10-20% of women are thought to have some form of dyslexia and many of them will be parents—and we think it’s high time we celebrate Mums just like we celebrate the entrepreneurs, celebrities, and artists with dyslexia too.
It’s going to be a strange Mother’s Day in the UK this year—unless you’re currently living with your mum or they’re up for a socially-distanced picnic. The rules on household mixing mean many of us aren’t allowed to see them until later in 2021. But there are still some wonderful ways to make their day one to remember.
Let’s take a moment this Mother’s Day to appreciate our mums, grandmothers, mums-to-be, carers, and step-mums with dyslexia, by looking at some of the little things we can do and gifts we can give to make their day extra special.
It’s not been a great year for getting out and doing things, and it looks like it’ll be the same for at least a few weeks yet. It’s a shame, because so many of us like to take our mums out on Mother's Day.
That said, all this time in the house makes it a great time to get into some new hobbies!
People with dyslexia tend to be creative and skilled outside-the-box thinkers, which makes them great at things like arts and crafts. Sending a box of watercolours or a DIY craft kit might seem like a strange gift at first, but it could be the first step on the road to stardom or their very own exhibition (or at least a fun hobby to pass the time until we’re allowed out of the house again).
Although we’d like nothing more than to turn up to our mum’s house with some cake and a bouquet of daffodils this Sunday, the UK is still locked down when it comes to household mixing and it’s a very real fact that some of us won’t be able to see our families. It might be tempting to send a quick “Happy Mother’s Day!” text and then get back to your lie-in but, especially when your mum has dyslexia, it’s a great idea to call instead. Many people use text-to speech apps on their phones, some prefer to just call instead.
It also makes the whole thing a bit more special—it’s been a weird year, and it’s nice to hear from your loved ones occasionally, even if they do spend most of the week sending you cat videos on WhatsApp too (guilty!).
Many people with dyslexia are avid readers, but some can find it a struggle when it comes to settling down with a book. There are plenty of tech solutions that can make a huge difference to their reading experience though!
The right tools depend on the ways that dyslexia manifests for the individual, and which ways they find it easiest to take in information but promoting multisensory (an audio element with text) reading is known to help.
Sending gifts like e-Readers, audiobook subscriptions, and text-to-speech technology like ReaderPens can make wonderful presents as they unlock a whole world of reading that might have otherwise felt daunting or stressful. Low-tech solutions like reading windows can help too!
From recipe books to Harry Potter, physics textbooks, and intense spy thrillers, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Although we’re big advocates for telling your mum how special they are all year round, Mother’s Day might be the perfect opportunity to let them know exactly how grateful you are for all they do.
Having dyslexia or literacy difficulties can be difficult sometimes, and it might feel especially so when it comes to parenting—finding it hard to read a school report or not being confident helping you with your homework can leave some mums feeling a little down. Whether it’s a heartfelt voice note, a call, or a chat over a brew for those of us lucky enough to be in the same household, it’s a great time to let your mum know that you appreciate them and that, although parenting with dyslexia can be a struggle sometimes, they’ve done amazingly and you’re glad they’re your mum.