GISD Dyslexia Informer
October 2019, Special Edition
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month
GISD Participates in a Research Study for Early Literacy. Welcome to #GarlandUSA Tara Reynolds!
Tara Reynolds came to Texas from Boston, Massachusetts. GISD is proud to be a part in this research that will promote early literacy screening for students.
Learn more about the screener and research here: https://www.bostonearlyliteracyscreener.com/
Quote of the Month
"My learning disabilities pushed me to discover talents that I wasn’t aware of having. It also led me to develop products to help others who struggled through school as I did."
- Reyn Guyer,
Inventor of Nerf Ball and Twister
Dyslexia: Fact or Fiction!
Questions
2. Individuals with dyslexia struggle with reversal of letters.
3. A student with dyslexia can be in an AP class with accommodations.
4. Every child who struggles with reading is dyslexic.
5. Students with dyslexia often have family members with dyslexia.
6. There are more boys than girls who are dyslexic.
7. Left-handedness is a red flag for dyslexia.
8. Color Overlays are a great accommodation for students with dyslexia.
9. There is no one test to evaluate for dyslexia.
10. You cannot assess a student for dyslexia until 3rd grade.
Answers
1. False- Dyslexia is not a visual disorder, it is neurological in origin.
2. False- While some students may write their letters backwards, it is not uncommon to see this in young children.
3. True- Yes, a student with dyslexia may be in AP courses with accommodations.
4. False- While it may be the most common reason, it is not the only reason. Some students may have difficulty with reading comprehension for other reasons.
5. True- Yes, many times it is inherited.
6. False- While it may be true that boys are more easily identified, the prevalence of dyslexia in boys and girls are the same.
7. False. There is no research to support this claim.
8. False, there is no research to support the remediation of dyslexia with color overlays. While it may be helpful to many students, it is not a proven effective accommodation related to dyslexia.
9. True. A dyslexia evaluation consists of many tests, and uses both qualitative and quantitative data and is determined by a committee (504/ARD).
10. False. The earlier, the better, although a student can be identified at any age. In Texas, we screen for dyslexia in Kindergarten and first grade.
Upcoming Events!!!
Parent Resource Group: Nov. 6 , 6:00-7:00 at Lyles Middle School
This event will focus on support for the secondary student. Discussion Q&A regarding accommodations, College Board and classroom support with be the topic of conversation.
Dyslexia Seminar for Parents and Students Nov. 15, 6:00-8:00 at North Garland High School
This event is for parents and students. Students of all ages, and parents, are welcome to attend to learn more about dyslexia and how students can be supported.
Garland Mayor Scott LeMay Proclaims October as Dyslexia Awareness Month
Supporting Your Student With Dyslexia
- Build on their strengths. Promote what they are good at and build on their talents.
- Use multi-sensory strategies such as using sand, shaving cream or WikkiStix to write words.
- Work with your dyslexia teacher on the campus to get tips based on where they are and what they have been taught.
- Read to your student and encourage the use of audiobooks! GISD has these resources for free.
- Students with dyslexia need support to gain confidence and self-esteem in order to navigate school. Support and encourage your student.
- Work on sight words, for example: Fry's Instant Words. Talk with your dyslexia teacher on campus.
- We are in this together, reach out to your school and teachers for support and recommendations.
- Every student with dyslexia is different. Dyslexia is on a continuum, so the need may vary from student to student. Patience, understanding, perseverance and support is the key to their success.
Bilingual Dyslexia Simulation
Working with parents
Learning more about dyslexia
Feeling the pressure
GISD Dyslexia
Email: MEIsinger@garlandisd.net
Website: https://www.garlandisd.net/content/dyslexia
Location: 501 South Jupiter Road, Garland, TX, USA
Phone: 972-485-4921
Twitter: @gisd_dyslexia