Dyslexia: What is it Dyslexia: What is it exactly?exactly?

Definition of DyslexiaDefinition of Dyslexia Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is

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

What causes dyslexia?What causes dyslexia?

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

Characteristics of Dyslexia:Characteristics of Dyslexia:

Difficulty with oral languageDifficulty with oral language– Difficulty pronouncing wordsDifficulty pronouncing words– Difficulty acquiring vocabulary or using Difficulty acquiring vocabulary or using

age appropriate grammarage appropriate grammar– Difficulty following directionsDifficulty following directions– Confusion with before/after , right/left Confusion with before/after , right/left

etc.etc.– Difficulty learning the alphabetDifficulty learning the alphabet

Characteristics of DyslexiaCharacteristics of Dyslexia Difficulty with readingDifficulty with reading

– learning to readlearning to read– rhyming, counting syllables (phonological awareness)rhyming, counting syllables (phonological awareness)– Hearing and manipulating sounds (phonemic awareness)Hearing and manipulating sounds (phonemic awareness)– Distinguishing different sounds in words (auditory Distinguishing different sounds in words (auditory

discrimination)discrimination)– Learning sounds of lettersLearning sounds of letters– Remembering names and shapesRemembering names and shapes– Reverses lettersReverses letters– Omits common small wordsOmits common small words– Poor reading comprehensionPoor reading comprehension– Slow laborious readingSlow laborious reading

Characteristics of DyslexiaCharacteristics of Dyslexia

Difficulty with written languageDifficulty with written language– Putting ideas on paperPutting ideas on paper– SpellingSpelling– May do well on spelling test, but does May do well on spelling test, but does

not spell correctly on daily worknot spell correctly on daily work– proofreadingproofreading

Why do students need to go a Why do students need to go a special class?special class?

Dyslexia cannot be cured, but Dyslexia cannot be cured, but children are taught coping skills.children are taught coping skills.

Denton uses a multisensory Denton uses a multisensory approach. (engages visual, auditory, approach. (engages visual, auditory, and kinesthetic channels at the and kinesthetic channels at the same time)same time)

What do students learn in What do students learn in Dyslexia classroom?Dyslexia classroom?

AlphabetAlphabet Dictionary skillsDictionary skills Letter sound relationshipsLetter sound relationships CodingCoding Syllable divisionSyllable division Reading comprehensionReading comprehension Listening comprehensionListening comprehension FluencyFluency Handwriting (cursive)Handwriting (cursive) SpellingSpelling GrammarGrammar Written expressionWritten expression RhymingRhyming Phonemic awarenessPhonemic awareness AffixesAffixes RootsRoots We will touch on most of these skills each dayWe will touch on most of these skills each day

THINGS TO DO AT HOME THINGS TO DO AT HOME WITH YOUR CHILDWITH YOUR CHILD

Make sure they read out loud to you.Make sure they read out loud to you. Help them choose appropriate Help them choose appropriate

reading material.reading material. Consider reading to your child, or Consider reading to your child, or

with your child, instead of them with your child, instead of them always reading to you.always reading to you.

Choose poems and songs as well as Choose poems and songs as well as books to read.books to read.

Developing Healthy Self-Developing Healthy Self-EsteemEsteem

Focus on your child’s strengths, not Focus on your child’s strengths, not struggles.struggles.

Help them develop problem solving Help them develop problem solving strategiesstrategies

Provide choicesProvide choices Do not compare siblingsDo not compare siblings Be empatheticBe empathetic

BibliographyBibliography

Information was obtained from:Information was obtained from: The International Dyslexia The International Dyslexia

AssociationAssociation Margaret T. SmithMargaret T. Smith LD OnlineLD Online