Understanding standardized testing and supporting your child’s success

Spring is a season of sunshine, longer days, and excitement for kids as summer approaches. But for many families, it also marks the start of standardized testing season—a time that can bring stress, anxiety, and questions about what these tests really mean.

Learning to read is one of the most complex tasks the human brain is asked to master. For parents of children with dyslexia, this process can feel confusing, emotional, and overwhelming. You may wonder why reading seems so difficult for your child and how you can best help.

If you’re the parent of a struggling reader, you already know how confusing, emotional, and overwhelming it can be to figure out what’s really going on with your child. For more than two decades, schools and specialists relied on the International Dyslexia Association’s (IDA) 2002 description of dyslexia to guide evaluations, shape interventions, and even influence how state laws were written. While that definition moved the field forward in meaningful ways, it had limitations.

“Yay, more homework!” — said no kid ever.

Every parent knows that homework time can be tricky. A little sighing, a few distractions, maybe some complaints — that’s all part of being a kid. But when every evening turns into a battle, especially over reading, spelling, or writing, something deeper might be going on.

You may find yourself wondering: Is this normal frustration, or a sign my child needs more help? The truth is, occasional homework stress is expected — but ongoing frustration, tears, or avoidance can signal a learning difference that’s holding your child back.

Let’s explore five key signs your child is struggling with reading, what they might mean, and how you can turn those nightly battles into genuine breakthroughs.

Maybe their child is in kindergarten and still struggles to recognize letters. Maybe their first grader guesses wildly at words instead of reading them. Or maybe reading time at home always ends in tears.

Finding the Best School for Your Child with Dyslexia or Reading Challenges

As a parent, choosing the right school can feel like trying to navigate a maze blindfolded. When your child has dyslexia or another learning challenge, the decision becomes even more complex—and deeply personal. You’re not just choosing between public, private, or homeschool. You’re weighing emotional well-being, academic growth, and whether a school can meet your child’s unique needs.

Encouraging literacy in the middle and high school years

It’s a phrase no parent wants to hear: “I hate reading.”
For many families, these words feel like a punch to the gut — especially when they come from a middle or high schooler who once enjoyed bedtime stories or storytime at school.

If your child is expressing frustration or outright resistance to reading, you are not alone. Many parents face the same challenge, and it can be difficult to know how to respond. But here’s the good news: with insight, empathy, and the right support, your child’s relationship with reading can change — even thrive.

Let’s take a closer look at what might be behind these words and explore ways to offer meaningful help with reading difficulties at home and beyond.

For many teens, the ACT feels like a mountain they’re not sure how to climb. For students with dyslexia or other learning differences, the anxiety tied to ACT test preparation can be even more intense.

But here’s the good news: as a parent, you play a huge role in shaping how your teen approaches the challenge. With the right mindset and tools, you can help your child move from stressed and stuck to confident and capable—and you don’t have to be a test expert to do it.

Do you want to read more with your kids at home, but by the end of a long day, you find yourself too tired to read aloud before lights out? You’re not alone! Between work, sports, homework, and household chores, evenings are more packed than ever for parents with school-age kids.

Many parents expect reading struggles to be obvious—like their child not being able to read at all or failing reading tests. However, some signs of reading difficulties are subtle and easy to overlook. Children who struggle with reading may develop coping strategies that mask their difficulties, making it challenging for parents and teachers to recognize the problem early. Bright kids can often cover up their reading struggles very well in the early years. Yet, swift identification is key to helping children before frustration and self-doubt take over.