Dyslexia

The rationale for explicit and multisensory phonics instruction can no longer be ignored. Science tells us that most kids will benefit from a structured, code-based approach to learning how to read words.(1) Students with dyslexia certainly require this type of teaching, and no child is harmed by learning the sounds and syllables types of his or her own language. When students are learning to crack the code of English, we use decodable text to help them apply learned skills to reading in context. In this type of text, the majority of the words follow the regular patterns of English. Practice with decodable [...]

Parents and guardians are invested in helping their children with dyslexia learn and grow, but they also might not know how to help them thrive in school. These are some quick tips for accommodations in the classroom: Extra time on tests. For a number of students with dyslexia, the information is there; however, it may take them longer to retrieve it than neurotypical readers due to slower processing skills. Advocate for additional time on tests so your children can display their depth of knowledge. Shorter assignments. Students with dyslexia are often working significantly harder than their non-dyslexic peers to produce the [...]

Given this age of information, we should have a distinct picture of what constitutes a diagnosis of dyslexia. Surprisingly, however, many misconceptions still persist about this condition. The following are some common myths and the truth behind them: Myth: You can tell a person is dyslexic because they see words backwards or in reverse. Truth: All young readers up to second grade can have persistent reversals when reading. Many children reverse their letters when learning to write, regardless of whether or not they have dyslexia. Reversing letters or words is not a sure sign of dyslexia. Moreover, a child can be [...]

Does my child or student have a reading difficulty? This question can arise as early as the preschool years when children begin receiving instruction in early literacy skills. Given that fifteen to twenty percent of the population has a reading disability, it is important for educators, as well as parents, to be knowledgeable about the early warning signs of such a difficulty so that proper intervention can be implemented immediately and effectively. Delayed language development, articulation problems, or frequent ear infections can be the first clues to a reading problem. Signs to look for in a child to ensure they are [...]