 What is dyslexia?  Who has it?  What can be done about it? Dyslexia Basics

What Characteristics Accompany Dyslexia?

Myth ? Fact ?  Dyslexia cannot be diagnosed until about third grade.  Children who reverse b’s and d’s are dyslexic.  Students cannot be dyslexic and Gifted/Talented.  More boys than girls are dyslexic.  A test is given to diagnose dyslexia.  Dyslexia is outgrown.

 Preschool  May have trouble rhyming  May have trouble pronouncing words  May be unable to recall the right word  May be slow to add new vocabulary words  May have trouble learning numbers, days of the week, colors, shapes, and how to spell and write his/her name

 Kindergarten through 3 rd grade  Fails to understand that words come apart  Has difficulty learning the letter names and their corresponding sounds  Has difficulty reading single words in isolation  Has difficulty spelling phonetically  Reads choppily and slowly  Relies on context to recognize a word

 4 th grade through high school  Has a history of reading and spelling difficulties  Avoids reading aloud  Reads most materials slowly and oral reading is not fluent  Avoids reading for pleasure  May have an inadequate vocabulary  Has difficulty spelling

Who has Dyslexia?

What Causes Dyslexia?

A specific learning disability that is neurological in origin

This language-based disorder affects:  reading words accurately and/or fluently  spelling  decoding nonsense words

 Can affect reading comprehension  Can lead to reduced reading experience that slows vocabulary growth

 Trouble turning print into sound (phonological processing) is the root cause of dyslexia  Unexpected reading difficulties in relation to cognitive abilities

What Does the Law Say About Dyslexia?

Helpful Tips for Teachers

All children can learn to read! Questions?

Dedra Carter, Region 15 Dyslexia Consultant Virginia Gonzalez, State Dyslexia Consultant , Ext