Could My Student Have Dyslexia?

Could my student have dyslexia? How do I find out? What do I do if they are dyslexic?

Read on for more information that will help you understand dyslexia, outline best practices in teaching an individual with dyslexia, and give you some ideas for the next steps.

THE FACTS:

• Dyslexia is a lifelong neurological condition which impacts how an individual
  processes information.
• Another term for dyslexia is a specific learning disorder (SLD) with impairment
  in reading.
• To be diagnosed with dyslexia, an individual needs to have at least average
  Most people with dyslexia are very bright.
• Dyslexics need to be taught differently using their strengths and senses.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans have shown the evidence of the
  difference in brain structure for those with and without dyslexia.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF DYSLEXIA:

• Difficulty breaking words down (decoding isolated words)
• Trouble spelling common words (encoding isolated words)
• Word by word reading
• Frequent re-reading
• Slowed reading and fluency
• Poor reading comprehension

Watch this short video to find out what it is like for an individual with dyslexia.

BEST INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES FOR DYSLEXIA

The most successful method of instruction for individuals with dyslexia is called multi-sensory instruction.  The most well-known of these methods is called Orton-Gillingham.

Multi-sensory instruction involves teaching to all the senses when learning in order to access all brain pathways.  For instance, using hearing, vision, touch, and movement.  Examples of multi-sensory reading strategies include tracing letters and words in sand or rice trays, using textured letters, spelling words with magnetic letters, using rhyme or music, using line readers, and playing games.

See the handout titled What is Multi-Sensory Instruction for more ideas.