How To Avoid Mood Swings and Angry Outbursts In Dyslexic Kids

My little girl had the signs of dyslexia from a young age. I spotted the signs before she had even started school, before she could read and write. She would get very frustrated, anxious in new situations. Struggle to communicate how she was feeling and this would led to angry outburst. We would have to spend a lot of time calming her down and giving her comfort.

Dyslexia effects children in many more ways than learning how to read and write. It can effect everything from organisation, to being able to control emotions. Dyslexic children have a heighten reaction to emotions and show them more. So when frustrated, stressed, they can get overwhelmed leading to anger.

Angry Triggers Card

The “Mooki Kit” contains a “Angry Triggers” card. To help to spot the child’s angry triggers and avoid situations leading to angry outbursts. Use the card above on your phone or tablet for free!

This card is based on scientific research, on the “Children with Dyslexia Show Stronger Emotional Responses”. 

Dyslexic kids have Stronger Emotions

• At the route of anger is a mix of feeling, frustration, anxiety, stress, humiliation, shame. Children struggle with these strong emotions, leading to angry outbursts.
• School can be very difficult for a dyslexic child. They struggle to learn and other children may bully them. All these emotions can be bottled up and come out at home, in the form of shouting, hitting, destroying things.
• Use the “Angry Triggers” card when the child is starting to show signs of anger or after an angry outburst, to help them talk about their feelings. Below are tips about how to use the card to best help the child. For more ideas visit “NHS Advice for Parents”.

Avoid Angry Outbursts Dyslexic Kids

Tops Tips from Dyslexic Mum

• Avoid Blaming Child –  The important thing to do, is not to tell the child off or make them feel bad about feeling angry.  
• Talk About Anger – What situations are triggering their anger and why?  What does angry feel like?
• Led by Example – Talk about how you deal with anger, how you deal with challenging situations.  
• Find Solutions – If doing evening homework makes a child angry, because they are too tired. Agree to only do it at the weekend, ask their teacher for an extension.
• Ask for Help – If a child starts to feel stress, frustrated, tell them to seek help from an adult to avoid it leading to anger.

How to use Angry Triggers Card

• The activity card above has a picture of an angry “Thermometer”. Starting with calm blue at the bottom and then it goes up to red, which is really, really, angry. The card has a list of situations that may make your child feel angry.
• The child can then use the thermometer to express how angry they feel when in this situation. You can then open a conversation with the child, to help them tackle their anger.

 All the cards are available as part of a “Mooki Cards“. Complete with 56 cards and storage wallet. Perfect for using at home or in the classroom. Order your “Mooki Cards” here!