It’s not uncommon for kids with dyslexia to experience anxiety.
The anxiety is usually limited to situations that involve reading.
There are ways to help kids with dyslexia cope with anxiety.
Kids know how important reading is. They hear it from their parents and teachers starting at a very young age. For kids with dyslexia, struggling with such a vital skill can create a lot of stress. And that can lead to anxiety.
Usually, these feelings are limited to situations that involve reading. But some kids with dyslexia develop a bigger problem with anxiety. They worry far in advance about having to read and may even dread it.
When kids with dyslexia have anxiety, they often get caught up in “what ifs.” What if the other kids see me reading an easy book and think I'm stupid? What if the teacher calls on me to read and I trip over the words?
They might be afraid of failing, or of being judged or embarrassed. There may even be moments when they fear they’ll never learn or succeed at anything because of their reading challenges. That can lead them to stop trying or avoid challenges.
Getting the right type of support and reading instruction can make a big difference. Kids see that their skills improve with support and hard work. And those improvements can help reduce anxiety and build self-esteem.
Dive deeper
Signs of anxiety in kids with dyslexia
Anxiety shows up in different ways and can change as kids get older. The signs may also be different depending on whether the anxiety is limited to reading or is more general.
Here’s what you might see when kids with dyslexia have anxiety:
Becomes cranky or angry for no clear reason
Cries often
Acts up in class, especially when it’s time to read
For kids with dyslexia, the challenges don’t stop at school. Daily life also requires them to read, whether it’s a menu, a sign in a store, or a simple set of instructions.
For many kids, these constant struggles don’t only lead to anxiety. They also lower self-esteem. Kids with dyslexia are as smart as their peers. But having to face setbacks and negative feedback in school can make them lose confidence all around.
Their trouble with reading can create “I can’t” feelings that impact learning in other areas. Kids may decide that if they “stink” at reading, they’ll “stink” at everything else.
They may also feel like nothing they do will make a difference. Instead of having a growth mindset, they feel their skills won’t ever improve.
Having dyslexia doesn’t “pre-wire” kids to be anxious. But in many cases, the more stress kids face, the more sensitive to stress they become. This, and genetics, can contribute to a chronic anxiety disorder.
With an anxiety disorder, worry and fears extend to all aspects of life. It can cause people to dread everyday events and obsess over how things might go wrong. It impacts how they function and gets in the way of enjoying life.
While dyslexia doesn’t lead to anxiety disorder, the two conditions often co-occur. If your child has both, it can help to know you’re not alone. According to one study, nearly 29 percent of kids with a learning disability also have an anxiety disorder.
There are many ways to reduce anxiety in kids with dyslexia. Supports at school are key to helping kids know that they can get better at reading. These supports include special instruction and accommodations like extended time on tests.
Showing empathy goes a long way to helping kids cope with anxiety. It’s important for kids to know that their families and teachers understand and respect their needs.
There are also many ways to treat anxiety in kids, including counseling and medication for anxiety.
