Neurological Learning Disability: Dyslexia

The BDA Dyslexia Friendly Schools Pack for Teachers (2009) provides an overall guide of what dyslexia is and how a dyslexia friendly school should be delivering education to the dyslexic learner. The writers begin with a definition of dyslexia stating that “dyslexia is a learning difference, a combination of strengths and weaknesses”. This is an informative definition as opposed to the recommendation of Norwich et al (2005) that exemplary schools should promote an inclusive school system whereby dyslexia is considered but not in isolation. The BDA (2009) state that importance ought to be

Try using books on tape or watching videos to help teach children how to read (Moragne 56). Avoid lectures and note taking and give the child extra time to work on homework (58-61). Help the child build a positive self-image, and help them set responsible goals that they can accomplish (75-80). Give that person help with their homework, simple accomplishable instructions, and help them find a hobby (70). In school, seat children with dyslexia at the front of the class so they can focus better and the teacher can provide better structure (61). For tests, give that child extra time to work on it or make the test oral (57). Make a list for the child so they do not forget to do anything (Moragne 46). There are four steps to teach a child with dyslexia how to read: teach them to recognize the words, let their vocab expand further, let them become familiar with the letters and the sounds of the alphabet and words, then let them decode the ability of words (Bronswick

There is often a child in a class that cannot read, spell, speak, or do math as well as they should for their age level. He or she grows up thinking they are stupid, or are going to be unsuccessful in life because they are not “smart” like their classmates. He or she is not stupid, they are usually incredibly smart, and are possibly just dealing with dyslexia. Dyslexia is a type of learning difference that can affect a person’s ability to read, write, speak, and do math. Dyslexia is very common, with one out of every five U.S. school children suffering from dyslexia. Dyslexic children often discover that their parents or a close relative also have some form of learning disability, supporting the idea that dyslexia is hereditary. Dyslexia is

The best way to respond to this concern would to inform the main teacher and also inform the SENCO, so that they can follow it up correctly as the child or young person may have dyslexia.

For dyslexia to be recognised as a Special Educational Need and the requisite educational support given, an ‘official’ assessment by a dyslexia specialist or educational psychologist is required. These assessments are mainly completed following a referral to the Local Authority usually by a SENCO or parent. This assessment results in a report which outlines not only the child’s difficulties and ways to improve, but also the strengths the child has. It is argued that identifying the strengths of the child is vital to developing a plan to assist a child with their weaknesses. Peer (2006) amongst others is keen to dispel the myth that dyslexia is linked to intelligence; in fact the contrary can be said. Often dyslexic learners have very well developed interpersonal, creative and oral skills, if these skills can be harnessed as a means of developing weaker areas it is argued progress will be made.

Several studies have shown that when dyslexia is undiagnosed, it can cause a lot of frustrations and anxieties in the individuals involved (Riddick & Edwards as cited in Glazzard, 2012). Dyslexia is a ‘hidden’ disability, as there are no obvious external signs for people to recognize (Riddick as cited in Glazzard, 2012). It is not like some other disabilities, as for example down syndrome, or cerebral palsy which people can recognize from the moment they see them. People can get confused and assume different reasons for the children’s poor performance in school. That is why, when dyslexia is undiagnosed, the characteristics like ‘stupid’, ‘thick’, and ‘lazy’ are commonly used to describe students with dyslexia. People who are not aware about dyslexia cannot find any other explanations for them who are not doing well at school. Lack of assessment may result in low self-esteem compared to non-dyslexic students (Humphrey as cited in Glazzard, 2012 ). On the other hand, lack of appropriate help and support can have long-term effects for people with dyslexia when reaching adulthood (Morgan & Klein,

The challenges and barriers identified for teachers are directed at meeting the individual needs of their students. The lack of time and the need for more expertise in the area are a matter of concern for students with dyslexia. Lack of teacher training and expertise creates difficulties when considering the importance of teachers to be able to create Individualised Learning Programs which will effectively accommodate these learning difficulties.

I have not had the opportunity yet to work with students that have dyslexia, because as you mentioned they are in early grade level as kindergarten, and the times that I had ask or point out a difficulty

Since dyslexia is a neurological condition along with difficulties with different aspects of reading dyslexia can have cognitive aspects as well, such as speech perception, recognizing and manipulating the basic sounds in a language, language memory, and learning the sounds of the letters (citation). All in all, up to 10% of the population is predicted to have some form of dyslexia therefore it is imperative that educators are able to identify these students and know strategies that can help them early on in their formal

Learning about dyslexia could help improve students performance in school. Encourage them when the student improves and that tells them to keep up the good work. When that is done, it makes that students feel proud and not put down since they may be slow learners in the classroom. Support the sense of confidence and self worth that individuals with dyslexia develop (Publisher house inc. 2016). Giving the student a sense of confidence in themselves will encourage them to do well. It sets them up for success. Getting a compliment or a pat on the back makes anybody feel good and praising all that they have overcome and or accomplished in school. A Helton self conception can be fostered through the right combination of internal and external supports (Publisher house inc. 216).

There are pros and cons to the sequence of events in Alison’s life. Was it a good thing that she was not diagnosed as a young child? If Alison was diagnosed with dyslexia when initially tested, to what extent would her education have been different? Research has shown that teachers may hold lower expectations for students diagnosed as having dyslexia than for students without any learning disabilities, and these expectations may, in turn, impact student achievement (Hornstra, Denessen, Bakker, Bergh & Voeten, 2010). When a child is labeled with a learning disability a teacher will often treat them differently. In addition, the child may lose the motivation to excel, especially if they are separated from their peers. Even though a dyslexic child can receive appropriate accommodations and support, such a label may also place

According to the Dyslexia & Learning Disability Centre in Las Vegas, Dyslexia is an ability within the sensory mechanism of the nervous system to perceive the world with a multidimensional view. However it comes with poor word reading, word decoding, oral reading fluency and spelling. Though with appropriate teaching methods, dyslexic individuals can learn successfully throughout their lives. Also, when properly trained and informed, a dyslexic can use their

Dyslexia is a lifelong struggle with constant challenges with reading and speaking. About five to ten percent of the United States population deals with the learning disorder dyslexia (Van den Honert, n.d.). It is a neurological condition that is mainly caused by genetics but there are some rare cases in which it is acquired. Dyslexia interrupts the normal processes of reading and speaking (Van den Honert, n.d.). All of which are used in daily life and this makes life and school so much harder for dyslexics. They must learn to live with the condition for their entire life and there is not really a treatment for it. With the constant struggle and reminder of their

Growing, developing and learning are the facts of life for all children. Each day children are faced with many new concepts and various challenges. Can you imagine how it feels for a child to face not only new challenges life has, but to face these challenges while living with a learning disability? These challenges are met not just when they begin school either. Students suffer from learning disabilities from the moment they begin learning, not when they start school. Learning disabilities are real and they affect millions of people. “One such disability that affects over approximately 15 percent of the total American population is dyslexia” ( Nosek 5).

Reinforcement is a key practise when dealing with children who suffer with dyslexia and in Townend and Turner (2000) they explain that “children with Dyslexia need many opportunities to practise the skills they have learned and to preserve them in long-term memory and Practise work must be presented in a variety of ways to maintain interest” (p19). Note taking can be difficult for Dyslexic children so a slow pace should be taken or better still to arrange for notes to be photocopied. Tasks also need to be concentrated on things like worksheets and not just the blackboard where students may become inattentive or inactive. When arranging work assignments it is also a good idea to care to have clear presentation, with large text, bold heading and as many visual aids as possible.