Top 5 tips to avoid angry outbursts in dyslexic children

Help a dyslexic child to manage their emotions, to avoid negative feelings turning into angry outbursts.

Anger often stems from a mix of feelings:

• Frustration
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Humiliation
• Shame

Dyslexic children experience strong emotions, which can cause outbursts. Anger triggers may include:

• Struggling in school
• Bullying from peers
• Feeling tired

Anger can build up and eventually overflow at home, leading to shouting, hitting, or breaking things.

Anger Triggers Card

Use the ‘Angry Triggers’ card below when a child shows signs of anger or after an angry outburst.

This activity from Mooki Cards is based on research about how “Children with dyslexia show stronger emotional responses”.

Avoid angry outbursts dyslexic kids

Get advice from a dyslexic mum on how she helped her child manage her anger:

“My child showed signs of dyslexia early on. I noticed this before she started school and before she could read or write. She often felt frustrated and anxious in new situations, which led to angry outbursts. We found that encouraging her to talk about her feelings helped her manage her anger better”

Watch the clickable ‘How to help dyslexic kids with anger’ video below:

When using the ‘Angry Triggers’ card, keep these tips in mind to help the child:

• Avoid blaming the child – Do not scold them or make them feel bad about their anger.
• Discuss anger – Talk about what triggers their anger. How does it feel to be angry?
• Lead by example – Show how you handle anger and tough situations.
• Find solutions – If homework causes anger due to tiredness, agree to do it on weekends or ask the teacher for an extension.
• Ask for help – If they feel stressed or frustrated, encourage them to seek help from an adult to avoid anger.

For more tips on managing children’s behaviour, check out ‘NHS advice for parents.‘

 Designed to help dyslexic children Mooki Cards. Complete with 56 cards and storage wallet. Perfect for using at home or in the classroom. Order your Mooki Cards here!