Dyslexia & Gifted Talented
"Read All About It!"
Upcoming!
If you have concerns that your child may be showing characteristics of Dyslexia, please contact me to schedule a time to discuss your concerns and options ~ regardless of your child’s grade level.
I am so excited to be part of such an amazing collaborative team where we learn and serve together!
Screenings
Dyslexia Screening: (Dyslexia Handbook of Texas Revised Edition with Updates)
Universal Screening is defined as a universal measure administered to all students by qualified personnel to determine which students are at risk for dyslexia or reading difficulties and/or a related disorder. Kindergarten students will be screened at the end of the school year and First grade students will be screened in the middle of the school year (by January 31st). In scheduling screeners; especially in Kindergarten, it is important to consider the following questions:
1) Has adequate time for instruction been provided during the school year?
2) Has adequate time been provided to compile data prior to the end of the school year?
3) How will the timing of the administration of the screener fit in with the timing of other required assessments?
4) Has sufficient time been provided to inform parents in writing of the results of the reading instrument and whether the student is at risk for dyslexia or other reading difficulties?
5) Has adequate time been provided for educators to offer appropriate interventions to the student?
6)Has sufficient time been provided for decision making regarding next steps in the screening process?
( Dyslexia Handbook, Revised Edition (2018).)
Dyslexia at LSC:
Screening is not a formal evaluation, but can be utilized to determine at-risk students.
1. If you are concerned that your child/student may be at-risk or showing characteristics/signs of Dyslexia, please contact Lesli Bernanke-Pytowski to determine individualized next-steps.
Email: lesli.bernanke@lifeschools.net
2.To request a formal evaluation for the possibility of the identification of Dyslexia, please send a written request to Rebecca Lewis at Rebecca Lewis and send a copy to Ms. Lesli-Bernanke-Pytowski
Email: rebecca.lewis@lifeschools.net
CC: lesli.bernanke@lifeschools.net
Please see below for a sample request:
To: Counselor and Dyslexia Teacher
Re: Evaluation for Dyslexia (Name of Student)
Date:
I am the parent/guardian of (name of student, in __________grade, in ___________ classroom), I have concerns that my child may have Dyslexia and is in need of special education services.I am requesting an evaluation to determine if my child is identified with Dyslexia. I understand that it may take 45 school days from the date the school district receives signed consent for the evaluation. Please notify me in writing if the evaluation period is not subject to this deadline or will take longer to complete. Please contact me within five days of this request to sign consent forms to evaluate my child. Thank you for your help.
Sincerely, Your name Your address Your telephone number Your e-mail address (optional)
Reading & Learning Resources!
* Learning A-Z ~ try your free trial
* Headsprout ~ try your free trial
*Learning Ally ~
*Storyline Online ~ http://www.storylineonline.net
*Starfall ~ https://www.starfall.com
*Online Storytime ~ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/online-storytime-books-toys/379003588/
*Tumblebooks ~ https://www.tumblebooks.com
Storynory http://www.storynory.com/
Abcya ~ www.abcya.com
Possible Accommodations in the Classroom
* Preferential Seating
* Speech-Text
* Reduced Spelling List
* No penalty for spelling mistakes
* Count what is correct and not what is incorrect
* Oral administration
* Small Group testing
* Small Group reading/writing/math
* Break down assignments into chunks
* Step-by-step directions with a quick check
* Pre-teach vocabulary
* Online reading resources
* Reduce assignments by _____ %
* Assist with organizational skills
* Check for Understanding
* Chunk assignments
* Manipulatives
* Graphic Organizers
* Reduce distractions and clutter on assignments
What is Dyslexia?
International Dyslexia Association Definition of Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge. Adopted by the IDA Board, November 2002. This definition is also used by the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), 2002
Possible Characteristics
The following are the primary reading/spelling characteristics of dyslexia:
•Difficulty reading words in isolation
•Difficulty accurately decoding unfamiliar words
•Difficulty with oral reading (slow, inaccurate, or labored without prosody)
•Difficulty spelling
It is important to note that individuals demonstrate differences in degree of impairment and may not exhibit all the characteristics listed above.
The reading/spelling characteristics are most often associated with the following:
• Segmenting, blending, and manipulating sounds in words (phonemic awareness)
• Learning the names of letters and their associated sounds
• Holding information about sounds and words in memory (phonological memory)
• Rapidly recalling the names of familiar objects, colors, or letters of the alphabet (rapid naming)
Consequences of dyslexia may include the following:
• Variable difficulty with aspects of reading comprehension
• Variable difficulty with aspects of written language
• Limited vocabulary growth due to reduced reading experiences
Procedures and Next Steps
Contact Information
Lesli B. Pytowski
Dyslexia and Gifted & Talented| Life School | Carrollton
2660 E Trinity Mills Rd. Carrollton, TX 75006 | 469-701-1355
Lesli.Bernanke@lifeschools.net | lifeschools.net
Ready to Learn. Ready to Lead. Ready for Life. It’s not just School. It’s LIFE.
Email: lesli.bernanke@lifeschools.net
Location: 2660 East Trinity Mills Road, Carrollton, TX, USA
Phone: 469-701-9218