R10 Dyslexia Connects Newsletter

As teachers know, there is no universal way to educate. Individual students have unique ways of retaining information, and many must also contend with circumstances that may disrupt their learning, like social and emotional factors, disorders, and disabilities. Not every learning disability is immediately visible. National Dyslexia Awareness Month 2022 is here. What a great time to inform, advocate, and bring awareness to others in the community about dyslexia.

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. Honing in on the strengths that dyslexic students bring to the table is vital for their confidence and lifelong learning.

Registration for Decoding and the Struggling Reader presented by Really Great Reading before October 12th.

Register HERE!

This session is free to all who attend. You will receive immediate strategies to help your struggling readers do what good readers do naturally. Increase students' attention to phonics patterns in works, rate of accuracy, and strategies for attacking unfamiliar words and multisyllabic words.

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

1. Schedule Brain Breaks
   
2. Scaffold Instructions
3. Provide a clear line of sight for non-verbal communication
4. Provide Memory clues
5. Use visual aids

1. Plan for Inclusive Homework
2. Avoid rote-learning
3. Utilize multisensory learning techniques
4. Grade positively using feedback to fix mistakes
5. 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.

• Dyslexic friendly spaces
• Dyslexia-Friendly Environment
• Creating Dyslexia-Friendly Classrooms

FALL 2022 SESSION AVAILABLE NOW-Click HERE to search for sessions!

Check out Free resources from IMSE to add to your therapy program.

Email: amie.davenport@region10.org
Website: Region10.org
Location: 904 Abrams Rd, Richardson, TX, USA
Phone: 972-348-1538