Reading Enjoy books. If you find it especially hard to read then try using taped books. Its not just important to read, its just as important to enjoy the contents of books. If you are having to concentrate really hard to just read the book its almost impossible to enjoy what you are reading. Make sure you give yourself a break sometimes and let someone else do the reading so that you can relax and listen to the story. Ask someone to read to you, ask for taped books for birthdays and christmas, join the local library (many of them have a selection of books on tape).

Writing Send lots of emails to your friends (see our 'email pals' page). It doesn't matter if you make mistakes. Just get writing and enjoy making new freinds. What does it matter if you make a few (or even loads) of mistakes???? I can't cook very well but it doesn't stop me having a go (ask Alex!!).

Spellings Use a tape recorder to record yourself spelling the words, leaving a gap after, for you to repeat the spelling later. Listen to the tape, repeat the spelling in the gap. It is thought to be a very effective way of getting those hard to learn spellings into your head.

Memory Use visual (picture) clues to remember things. If you need to take your PE kit to school tomorrow. Imagine yourself walking out the door in the morning holding a huge PE bag!! Try it.

Learn how to use your memory. There are loads of great books on this topic. Try the series of books by Tony Buzan. I found Using Your Memory by Tony really useful. Get someone to buy a copy and read it for you or ask at your local library if they can get hold of one for you.

Write lists or instructions down. If you prefer, try drawing small pictures. If you need to remember a list for the shops, draw a picture list to remind you.

When being given instructions by parents or teachers ask them to repeat what they have said and then you say them outloud as well. This not only lets them check that you have understood what has been said, it also has been proven that we remember things better when we hear our own voice.

Left and right To help try this: hold up your hands in front of your face. Look at the shape made by your thumbs and 1st fingers. The one that makes the shape of a L is your left hand.

Organisation Use colours to help keep things tidy or organise school work, bedrooms etc. In your bedroom, if you use coloured boxes for keeping things in you are more likely to find them later. For school work, try different coloured notebooks, paper, folders etc to help keep different subjects etc tidy.

Put a large timetable or wipe-clean board near the front door. Use it to remind yourself which days you need PE kit, swimming stuff, musical instruments, packed lunches etc.

Be creative Enjoy life, relax and have some fun. School can be hard work, stressful and there is not always time for art, craft etc.

Use Lego, play in the sand, model with clay, paint, draw, make a junk model, invent a new machine. Dyslexics are often very creative. Explore your creative side. Who knows you may be the next Einstein or Leonardo de Vinci. Even if your not, it is still good to relax and have some fun doing something nobody is going to mark!

Computers and technology Learn how to use computers. They are the future and can be really useful for dyslexics. Its worth learning to touch type if you can. Try out some voice recognition software - then you can just sit back and let the computer do the work - some even let you surf the web using your voice, write emails etc.

Use a spell checker. Most dyslexics never become great spellers. You may as well use all the help you can and it might even help improve it.

Be positive Be proud of who you are. You are not just dyslexic - it is part of you. Use the things you are good at and keep trying with the things that you find hard.

Find somebody to talk to. A parent, a teacher, a fellow dyslexic, maybe an Uncle who had similar problems, even a tutor. It is good to talk and maybe they will be able to help out.

Find some new friends on our 'email pals' page.

Help needed The tips on this page are aimed more at younger children but I want to put up a page for teenagers as they face many different issues with school work and home life. My experience is mainly with younger age groups. If you have any tips for older childen or students please email me with them. Email Phil now