Webinar Wednesday: Writing Strategies for the Reluctant Writer

In this archived CTD webinar, participants explore some of the reasons students develop a reluctance to express themselves in writing, among these is dysgraphia. Regina Richards, M.A., shares a variety of high-tech and low-tech strategies for reversing writing reluctance. Also discussed are handwriting, spelling, and information organization (generating ideas and planning/translating the ideas into written format). Learn proven strategies that may be immediately implemented. 

Get the presentation slides and handout.

Accommodating Students with Dyslexia: 12 Strategies for Success

Students with dyslexia or symptoms of dyslexia often struggle in school. It is not that they have limited abilities.  On the contrary, many have IQs in the above average or genius range. As a result, instead of a dumbed down curriculum, these students need to be challenged and they need to receive accommodations, modifications and multi-sensory teaching techniques to unleash their learning potential.  

What makes it difficult to accommodate students with dyslexia is that each student has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Yes, two students with dyslexia don’t have the same pattern of cognitive processing deficits. In fact, there are a number of profiles that can lead to this diagnosis. In addition, there are a number of specific cognitive skills that can cause symptoms of dyslexia. Consequently, a successful remediation often requires a tailored, individualized approach.  To tap into the quickest results, I have learned that one has to look at the specific cognitive difficulties underlying the academic struggles and also develop the core skills required for reading. Then, these areas can either be strengthened or compensatory strategies can help blaze detours that lead to learning.

12 Difficulties, Common Accommodations and Remedial Strategies for Success

The following is a table that Dr. Erica Warren created to help make the pathway to success a little bit easier.

Past or Present Difficulty	Accommodation	Remedial Strategies
Letter reversals (b and d), symbol reversals (< and >) and words reversals (was and saw)	- Teachers should not take off points when students exhibit reversals. - Color code common reversals to help students perceive the difference.  For example, make the letter b, blue and the letter d, red.	- Provide strategies: For example, turn the greater and lesser signs into a Pacman and explain that the Pacman eats the larger number:3443 - Do fun activities that exercise abilities from the Reversing Reversals Series.
Trouble with reading aloud and sounding out words	- Provide audiobooks through organizations like Bookshare, Learning Ally, Raz-kids, and Audible - Offer instruction in an Orton-Gillingham Based reading program - Make reading aloud optional for struggling readers.	- Provide audiobooks through organizations like Bookshare, Learning Ally, Raz-kids, and Audible and encourage students to either read along or visualize the story.  Encouraging learners to read along while listening can improve tracking, whole word recognition and more - learn more HERE.   - Students with learning disabilities that impact reading can qualify for a free membership at www.bookshare.org - Offer instruction in a Orton-Gillingham Based reading program - Play Orton-Gillingham based reading games.
Challenges with math word problems	- Use multisensory and fun math strategies. - Use strategies for solving word problems.	- Use large graph paper to help students line up problems. - Use multisensory math lessons.
Trouble understanding jokes, punchlines, sarcasm and inferences	Think aloud and explain the meaning behind abstract concepts, inferences and other “hidden” meanings. Check for understanding to make sure concrete learners fully understand any abstract concepts.	- Practice interpreting jokes, - Practice finding inferences in billboards and magazine advertisements. - Click here for other strategies. - Use the Good Sensory Learning Higher Order Language Bundle to exercise and strengthen these skills.
Difficulty following a series of written or aural directions	- Have a student explain their understanding of an assignment and correct any misconceptions. - Simplify directions and highlight keywords. - Provide oral directions, check for understanding, and repeat directions - if needed. - Offer a larger font with less content on each page. - Provide text to speech technology.	- Play fun games and activities that strengthen these skills. - Consider some basic remedial assistance with the core skills required for language processing.
Trouble mispronouncing words	- Be patient and guide the student to the correct pronunciation. - Try not to laugh at funny mispronunciations as many kids get embarrassed and feel like they are being laughed at or made to feel stupid.	- Practice difficult words by coming up with your own tongue twisters.
Difficulty rhyming words	- Spend additional time on this concept and show the idea visually by taking simple words such as cat and changing the beginning consonant.	- Play hands on rhyming games or online ones.
Trouble mispronouncing words	- Work with a speech and language professional and help the student learn how to produce the proper letter and word formations.	- Help students learn how to form the sounds with their tongue and mouth.
Trouble telling directions	- Place markers on a student’s desk or body to help them with directionality.  For example, they might have a ring on their right hand or a rabbit on the right side of their desk and a lamb on the left.	- Do fun activities that exercise directionality abilities from the Reversing Reversals Series.
Trouble recalling names or words	- Offer a word list that can help students recall important words.   - Teach the student to use a thesaurus.	- Teach memory strategies.  Click here to learn more.   - Teach word finding strategies
Difficulty with spelling	- Do not take points off for spelling errors. - Allow student to use a computer with a spell check. - Use a smartphone, tablet, Echo or other device that can provide the spelling of a words upon request. Use other types of assistive technology for spelling. - Offer instruction in a Orton-Gillingham Based reading/spelling program	- Offer an individualized spelling approach. - Provide an Orton-Gillingham based spelling program. - Learn about Spelling strategies
Trouble learning how to read	- Provide audiobooks through organizations like Bookshare, Learning Ally, Raz-kids, and Audible - Offer instruction in a Orton-Gillingham Based reading program - Provide extra time when reading. - Shorten reading assignments. - Simplify directions and highlight keywords. - Provide oral directions, check for understanding, and repeat directions - if needed. - Offer a larger font with less content on each page. - Provide text to speech technology.	- Offer instruction in a Orton-Gillingham Based reading program - Play hands-on Orton-Gillingham based reading games. - Play online Orton-Gillingham based reading games.

To view Dr. Erica Warren's blog, be sure to visit: 

https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/

Permission was granted by Dr. Erica Warren to post and share her article directly on Where It's AT. 

Webinar Wednesday: Center for Technology and Disability Webinar Central

Looking to enhance your professional practice or support your child's learning difficulties, be sure to check out these free, real-time and archived webinars on all focused on various AssistiveTechnology topics from the 

Center for Technology and Disability. 

https://www.ctdinstitute.org/cafe

A few of the December topics included....

-Use Audio & Video to Engage Students and Promote UDL

-Giving Instant Feedback to Disabled Students with Technology to Create Engagement and Motivation

-Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Accessibility in Higher Education

-AAC Implementation Plans: Preparing for Successful Communication

-Call to Action: Addressing Digital Accessibility

-Transition Tech Tools to Empower Your Student

-Making it Happen: Addressing Digital Accessibility

-Technologies and Strategies to Help Students Start, Focus, and Finish Strong

Be sure to check out the long list of topics available for viewing! 

Signs, Symptoms and Strategies for Learning Differences

Source: Halstrom Academy

QIAT-PS Introduction to the Student Self-Evaluation Matrix Webinar

Introduction to the Student 

Self-Evaluation Matrix Webinar

QIAT-PS is having a webinar introducing the new Student Self-Evaluation Matrix tool on September 19, 2017 at 4 - 5pm CST.

Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology in Post-Secondary education is sponsored by Great Lakes ADA Center and is a collaborative effort of hundreds of professionals from a wide variety of higher education, K-12 schools and students.

The Student Self-Evaluation Matrix allows students to rate themselves on their AT skills. The tool is useful to both students struggling to manage AT and assists students in enhancing self-awareness and problem solving with AT for better transition outcomes.

The session will discuss the foundations of the QIAT-PS project, the research behind the Student Self-Evaluation Matrix, and using the tool in K-12 and Postsecondary environments.

About The Speakers:
Janet Peters is a project coordinator for the Great Lakes ADA Center and manages the QIAT-PS Project.
Gayl Bowser is an independent AT consultant and long term collaborator on the QIAT-PS Project.
Rachel Kruzel is the Assistive Technology and Accommodations Specialist at Augsburg University.

The session link is available on QIAT-PS site. There is no registration required, but if you require captioning please request it by September 12, 2017.

5 Types of Adaptations for your Inclusive Classroom

The Brookes Inclusion Lab is an interactive blog which provides tools and resources to promote and enhance UDL and inclusiveness within the classroom learning environments. Today’s post, 5 Types of Adaptations for your Inclusive Classroom, brings you five approaches for adapting instruction in your inclusive classroom, so students with and without disabilities can participate and learn academic content. Adapted from Rachel Janney & Martha Snell’s practical guide to Modifying Schoolwork, these strategies can be used in any combination to best meet the needs of your individual learners. After testing these strategies out, please share below in the comments which adaptations have worked best in your classroom!

 Grab a peek at the five adaptations below, and

click here to read the full article. 

*Alter the instructional arrangement

*Alter the physical or social environment

*Alter your methods and materials

*Alter the process or task

*Alter the level of personal assistance

Source: Brookes Publishing - The Inclusion Lab

Everyone Reading Conference 2017 - NYC

The month of March is rapidly approaching, which means the 44th annual Everyone Reading conference on dyslexia and related learning disabilities is right around the corner. The Everyone Reading conference will present the most recent information regarding reading difficulties, with specific attention towards dyslexia, in addition to strategies and tools to help identify and remediate weakness in reading, writing and mathematics. Aside from the fact this conference is taking place in my home state, what I'm most enthusiastic about are the conference sessions that specifically focus on utilizing available assistive technology, educational technology tools and literacy strategies to support students with reading deficits. Additionally, the conference sessions are filled with presentations from experts in the field to provide insight into strategies to support struggling learners. Read further about the two featured keynote speakers or click here to see the full conference schedule.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Keynote Address – Dyalekt – Literacy Begins with the Beat! Dyalekt is an MC, educator, playwright, actor and radio host from St. Croix, USVI. He has promoted and celebrated the power of the spoken word in schools and on stages around the world. He uses his unique brand of Hip Hop education to empower students from grades K-Grad school, and provides training for teachers, writers, performers and professionals. He's the co-host of Brunch & Budget on Bondfire Radio, and has recently been using that platform to teach Hip Hop and finance workshops to high school and college students. His curricula are rap albums/are plays, and he is a member of the Public Theater's Emerging Writer's group as well as a Hip Hop artist with several records and tours under his belt. He wants to cypher with you. Dyalekt.com twitter: @dyalektraps

HELEN DIANE FOSTER Commissioner, New York State Division of Human Rights Helen Diane Foster was appointed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to head New York  Division of Human Rights. In her capacity as Commissioner, Ms. Foster is responsible for the enforcement of New York State’s Human Rights law, the oldest such law in the country.  Under her leadership, the Division has made substantial progress such as the elimination of case backlog. Commissioner Foster is able to deliver Governor Cuomo’s message of the importance of the Human Rights Law through her public engagements throughout the State. She is called on to represent the State and the Governor is different capacities. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Foster served in the New York City Council for 11 years, representing the 16th District in Bronx County. As Council member, she represented 170,000 constituents at City Hall, was responsible for passing legislation, approving New York City’s $70 billion budget, attending Council hearings as well as community meetings, and for being an advocate for the under-served and underrepresented people of New York City. Ms. Foster has participated on numerous panel discussions about her own struggles with dyslexia. Speaking about dyslexia is one of her passions.  She especially enjoys speaking to children with dyslexia.  In addition, Ms. Foster is often called upon to speak at churches, schools and community events.  She uses speaking engagements as a tool to empower communities and encourage youth through access to information. Source: Everyone Reading

Twitter Chat: Preview Tonight's #ATchat Questions

Twitter Chat: StrATegies for Success

I am extremely excited that I was asked to co-moderate this week's #ATchat on Twitter with the extremely knowledgeable Mike Marotta (@mmatp). The focus of our discussion will be about StrATegies for Success when screening for and implementing assistive technology. This is a great chat for those new to the AT field to ask questions and perfect for AT "veterans" to discuss areas of success and share their go-to resources. A preview of the questions will be posted here tomorrow! Whether you want to lurk, follow along or actively participate, be sure to join us tomorrow night at 8-9pm EST on Twitter using the hashtag #ATchat!