Dyslexia: What is it exactly?

Definition of Dyslexia Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often UNEXPECTED in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge. (International Dyslexia Association) Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often UNEXPECTED in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge. (International Dyslexia Association)

What causes dyslexia? Brain research shows that the brain of a dyslexic person develops and functions differently. People with dyslexia have problems discriminating sounds within words, which contributes to their reading difficulties. Dyslexia has nothing to do with lack of intelligence or a desire to learn. Brain research shows that the brain of a dyslexic person develops and functions differently. People with dyslexia have problems discriminating sounds within words, which contributes to their reading difficulties. Dyslexia has nothing to do with lack of intelligence or a desire to learn.

Characteristics of Dyslexia: Difficulty with oral language Difficulty with oral language –Difficulty pronouncing words –Difficulty acquiring vocabulary or using age appropriate grammar –Difficulty following directions –Confusion with before/after, right/left etc. –Difficulty learning the alphabet

Characteristics of Dyslexia Difficulty with reading Difficulty with reading – learning to read –rhyming, counting syllables (phonological awareness) –Hearing and manipulating sounds (phonemic awareness) –Distinguishing different sounds in words (auditory discrimination) –Learning sounds of letters –Remembering names and shapes –Reverses letters –Omits common small words –Poor reading comprehension –Slow laborious reading

Characteristics of Dyslexia Difficulty with written language Difficulty with written language –Putting ideas on paper –Spelling –May do well on spelling test, but does not spell correctly on daily work –proofreading

Why do students need to go a special class? Dyslexia cannot be cured, but children are taught coping skills. Dyslexia cannot be cured, but children are taught coping skills. Denton uses a multisensory approach. (engages visual, auditory, and kinesthetic channels at the same time) Denton uses a multisensory approach. (engages visual, auditory, and kinesthetic channels at the same time)

What do students learn in Dyslexia classroom? Alphabet Alphabet Dictionary skills Dictionary skills Letter sound relationships Letter sound relationships Coding Coding Syllable division Syllable division Reading comprehension Reading comprehension Listening comprehension Listening comprehension Fluency Fluency Handwriting (cursive) Handwriting (cursive) Spelling Spelling Grammar Grammar Written expression Written expression Rhyming Rhyming Phonemic awareness Phonemic awareness Affixes Affixes Roots Roots We will touch on most of these skills each day We will touch on most of these skills each day

THINGS TO DO AT HOME WITH YOUR CHILD Make sure they read out loud to you. Make sure they read out loud to you. Help them choose appropriate reading material. Help them choose appropriate reading material. Consider reading to your child, or with your child, instead of them always reading to you. Consider reading to your child, or with your child, instead of them always reading to you. Choose poems and songs as well as books to read. Choose poems and songs as well as books to read.

Developing Healthy Self-Esteem Focus on your child’s strengths, not struggles. Focus on your child’s strengths, not struggles. Help them develop problem solving strategies Help them develop problem solving strategies Provide choices Provide choices Do not compare siblings Do not compare siblings Be empathetic Be empathetic

Bibliography Information was obtained from: Information was obtained from: The International Dyslexia Association The International Dyslexia Association Margaret T. Smith Margaret T. Smith LD Online LD Online