2. Strengths-Based Parenting

School conferences often focus entirely on what your child can't do. Over time, this can distort their self-image, making them feel as if their entire identity is "the kid who can't read."

The Research: Building Capacity A neurodiversity perspective challenges us to flip the script. Research emphasizes that supporting a child's mental health requires "recognising and building children's capacity (e.g., strengths)" rather than just remediating deficits (Wilmot et al., 2024) . Studies show that poor school connectedness often stems from environments that "highlight children's challenges and minimise their strengths" (Wilmot et al., 2024).

The Activity: Find the Balance To counteract the negativity of school, conduct a "Superpower Audit" at home.

• The Action: Sit down with your child and make a list of things they are excellent at that have nothing to do with reading. Are they a Lego engineer? A compassionate friend? A talented artist? A strategic gamer?

• The Routine: Dedicate time every week for them to engage in these high-competence activities. This isn't "play time"; it is protective identity work. It reminds them that dyslexia is just one small part of who they are, not the whole story.