Dyslexia at a Glance

Dyslexia is a learning disability neurological in nature. The dyslexic brain processes written and spoken information differently. Sometimes the information is forgotten, jumbled up or bits are missing. Many people think that Dyslexia is just about seeing letters and words backwards. The truth is, people with dyslexia see things as everyone else does. People with dyslexia don't have a problem with seeing language, they have problems manipulating it which can affect reading and writing development. However, it also causes difficulty with math, memory, and organization.

• Dyslexia does not exist - is merely a catch all term for learning problems
• Dyslexia cannot be diagnosed until a child is 8 to 11 years old
• It's a visual problem - people see and write letters and words backward
• More boys than girls are dyslexic
• Dyslexia affects only English speakers
• If you are dyslexic, you can't be very smart
• People with dyslexia are unable to read and learn
• There are no clues of dyslexia before a child enters school
• http://dyslexia.yale.edu/Myths.html
  

• slow information processing
• difficulties blending sounds together to make words
• learning the names of letters and their associated sounds
• difficulty reading words in isolation
  
• slow, inaccurate, or labored oral reading
• difficulty with spelling
• mixing up letters
• difficulty with rhyming
• slow and labored writing
• forgetting instructions
• losing attention
• distracted by noise
• organizational difficulties
  
• can run in families

• use encouragement and praise
• reward small achievements
• phonics taught in a structured, systematic way
• multisensory learning (see it, say it, hear it, write it)
• individualize learning (identify difficulties, work at own pace, find helpful strategies, learn what is needed, learn in small steps)
• provide an understanding of the structure of language (link pictures to sounds and words, provide spelling rules, work on blending, rhyming, syllables, prefixes, and suffixes)
• recognize strengths
• supportive environment

• teachers
• school counselors
• school reading specialists
• Scottish Rite - offers free parent seminars
• http://www.tsrhc.org/dyslexia-parent-center
  
• ALTA (Academic Language Therapy Association) - provides local therapists

https://www.altaread.org/

• I Heart Learning Academy - provides dyslexia therapy, reading classes, summer reading academies, homeschool classes, and workshops for parents https://www.iheartlearningacademy.com/

Birsh, J. R. (2006). Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills (3rd ed.) Baltimore: Brookes.

Hairston, W.D., Burdette, J.H., Flowers, D.L., Wood, F.B., & Wallace, M.T. (2005). Altered temporal profile of visual-auditory multisensory interactions in dyslexia. Experimental Brain research, 166,474-480.

Jones, M. (2015). Dyslexia explained. Nessy Learning.

Scheffel, D.L., Shaw, J.C., & Shaw, R. (2008). The efficacy of a supplemental multisensory reading program for first-grade students. Reading Improvement, 45(3), 139-152.

The dyslexia handbook: procedures concerning dyslexia and related disorders. (2014).

Austin, TX: Texas Education Agency.

Uhry, J. K., & Clark, D. B. (2008). Dyslexia: theory and practice of instruction. Austin, TX: Pro- ed.