October Dyslexia Newsletter
October 2023
Dyslexia Awareness Month
Students identified as having dyslexia typically experience challenges in phonemic awareness and manipulation, single-word reading, reading fluency and spelling. The intelligence of people with dyslexia is unaffected. This misunderstanding of the condition leads to stigmas, which Dyslexia Awareness Month aims to eradicate. This is a great time to inform, advocate, and bring awareness to others in the community about dyslexia.
We want everyone to be aware of this specific learning disability so we can identify students as early as possible. When students are identified early, we can provide the appropriate instruction needed, and it can change the trajectory of a child’s education.
GETTING AHEAD OF DYSLEXIA
To get ahead of the curve, students in kindergarten and first grade must complete a dyslexia screener. Further action and evaluations are completed if necessary.
Resources such as Learning Ally and Talking Book, audiobook programs, as well as parent nights are offered by the special education department to ensure every student with dyslexia and their parents have the necessary tools to help them on their learning journey.
Our desire is to provide kids with access to learning resources so they can walk out of class with the ability to read confidently for life.
Dyslexia affects as much as 10% - 20% of the entire world's population and makes up 80%-90% of those with specific learning disabilities in the school populations, yet little is known about dyslexia by educators who help the students every day. What many of us take for granted, such as reading and writing fluently, is an area of great struggle for those who have dyslexia.
It's not easy to group with dyslexia or raise a child with dyslexia. Despite its commonality, it is often hidden and those living with dyslexia make countless compromises to "fit in" to a neurotypical society. Simple tasks take great effort and often students do not receive the correct support, leaving them discouraged and parents feeling helpless.
Shinning the light on the barriers that exist and better informing ourselves spreads awareness helping others to understand dyslexia. As we increase awareness this month remember that dyslexia presents itself differently. Finding the strengths that dyslexic students bring to the table is vital for their confidence and lifelong learning.
5 FACTS ABOUT DYSLEXICS THAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW
The percentage
Approximately 70% — 85% of children placed in special education for learning disabilities are dyslexic.
They are more creative
Dyslexics are creative and have higher levels of intelligence.
Walt Disney was dyslexic
Disney was diagnosed with dyslexia, which didn’t stop him from creating his massive empire.
The right side of the brain
Dyslexics use the right side of the brain more for processing information.
The left-right conundrum
Dyslexics don’t ‘see’ words backward, it’s the deficits caused by the interpretation of left and right.
TAKE FLIGHT: A COMPREHENSIVE INTERVENTION FOR STUDENTS WITH DYSLEXIA
What is Take Flight?
Take Flight: A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia is a curriculum written by the staff of the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders at Scottish Rite for Children. Take Flight builds on the success of the three previous dyslexia intervention programs developed by institution: Alphabetic Phonics, the Dyslexia Training Program and TSRH Literacy Program.
The curriculum was designed for use by dyslexia therapists with children 7 years and older who have developmental dyslexia. The purpose was to enable students with dyslexia to achieve and maintain better word recognition, reading fluency, reading comprehension and aid in the transition from a therapy setting to ‘real world’ learning. Conventional instruction doesn’t always work for these kiddos.
I included a quick video, "Introduction of Take Flight" and what it looks like in the dyslexia classroom.
Dyslexia Friendly Classroom
Have you ever paused and thought about how many times you are required to read throughout the day? Emails, notes, road signs, tickers under the news report, menus, letters, etc. The list goes on and on.
Reading well is something that many of us may take for granted. The ability to automatically see letters, and within milliseconds, have that transfer into a word connected to meaning. And yet, for many children and adults, literacy and reading well seem to be out of reach, but is it?
Absolutely not.
The First Step:
The first step to creating a dyslexia-friendly classroom is to learn about dyslexia and fully understand the challenges a child with dyslexia face during their time in school. According to studies between 10% and 20% of the population has challenges with dyslexia. There are key common themes of struggle for dyslexic students. These struggles include difficulty with memory, reading, writing, oral communication, and processing information. Without the proper support, these struggles cause great difficulty throughout the school day, increasing stress, the potential for anxiety, and long-term negative impacts.
Top Ten Ways
- Schedule Brain Breaks
- Scaffold Instructions
- Provide a clear line of sight for non-verbal communication
- Provide Memory clues
- Use visual aids
- Plan for Inclusive Homework
- Avoid rote-learning
- Utilize multisensory learning techniques
- Grade positively using feedback to fix mistakes
- Utilize technology and accommodations
Conclusion
Many learners in our classrooms could be supported by the resources and practices that make the classroom easier to learn in. Good practices for dyslexia are good practices for everyone. Making simple changes not only benefits dyslexic students but all learners will be more confident and motivated in their learning, which in turn, will enable them to make better progress.
Check out this resource on making your classroom dyslexia friendly.
Magnificent Meg
A Read-Aloud Book to Encourage Children with Dyslexia
Finding My Superpower
A book for dyslexic thinkers
The Alphabet War
A Story about Dyslexia