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. 

Using the iPad to Support Dyslexia

Source: Call Scotland

Dyslexia Awareness Month: Suggested Books for Students with Learning Differences

Loneliness is a feeling many young children with learning disabilities experience when compared to their neurotypical peers. As parents and educators, we need to do more to focus our efforts on supporting our students with learning disabilities. Beyond helping them learn to achieve academically, we also need to tend to their socio-emotional needs.

Learning Ally's 1 in 5 initiative is a community developed to support students with learning disabilities, with an emphasis on dyslexia. In addition to a wide array of resources, 1 in 5 provides a list of suggested books to support students with learning disabilities. By reading about other children's experiences, this may decrease the feelings of loneliness and isolation.

To learn more about Learning Ally's 1 in 5 Initiative, visit the link here:

Learning Ally's 1 in 5 Initiative Link

Learning Ally's 1 in 5 Initiative

Learning Ally is known for their subscription based human narrated audiobooks and vast professional development opportunities. However, when I recently attended the Dyslexia: Making It Personal session with Mark Brugger at the Everyone Reading Conference in New York there were several "hand outs" available for participants to take at the conclusion of his session. As all like-minded educators do, I naturally I grabbed one of each and began looking them over. Although all were excellent (and will be shared at a later date), one in particular caught my eye with its simplistic, yet incredibly insightful graphics focusing on the identification of dyslexia and varying methods of support. I have posted it below with a link should you be interested in printing it for yourself. 

Click here to download this infographic

After scrolling through the information and graphics, at the bottom of the page I noticed the link to Explore1in5.org, so naturally I did what most of us would do and I visited the webpage. Little did I know what lie ahead...

Explore1in5.org exceeded my expectations for a webpage because it is so much more than that. Upon visiting the site, I discovered a community for dyslexic students to learn more about their diagnosis, to connect with others and share their personal experiences. Even if you're not a member of the Learning Ally community, the website and resources available on there are free and accessible for all. Before reading further ahead, I encourage each of you to watch the short video below to see how far reaching Learning Ally's 1in5 Initiative is. 

So what does the 1 in 5 Initiative offer? 

• To start there are bi-monthly student to student webinars about dyslexia related topics. These webinars are created by students and are geared for students. 
• The Tips, Tools & Tech section offers information to promote self-advocacy and understand the impact it has on their success. Here, students can listen to inspirational testimonials from other dyslexic students and be given the tools to overcome stigmas and insecurities. Additionally,  students can learn about various assistive technology tools to support learning difficulties and view demonstrations of the tools in use. 
• Videos and printed resources help explain what dyslexia is by listening to others share their feelings when first diagnosed and the experiences of their personal journey. 
• The Share Your Story section allows students to share their own personal experiences in a safe and supportive community. 
• Through the "Connect with Us" section, there are many ways to keep connected with the 1in5 Community by subscribing to the newsletter, signing up for text tips, participating in a student webinar and creating connections through social media! 
• Additionally, there are resources for parents too through printed materials and online webinars. 

What is the YES! Program? 

Although only available currently in Colorado, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Utah, Learning Ally's YES! Program is an in-person program that pairs younger students with learning differences with an older student who is trained to help guide them through a series of goals. The purpose of YES! is to train students with learning differences to recognize their strengths and weaknesses, to help them build confidence and to provide them with the tools to become strong self-advocates. Each student is assigned a Youth Ambassador who will monitor member progress, act as a resource and provide guidance. Through the four annual events, your student will:

• Build Self Esteem and Confidence
• Receive Support and Suggestions
• Expand Communication Skills
• Learn About Dyslexia
• Learn Self-Advocacy Skills
• Build Friendships and Network

Parents will also have the opportunity to attend informational presentations at each event and will have the chance to network with other parents.

So why wait....visit the 1 in 5 Initiative site today and get connected! 

Source: Learning Ally, 1in5 Initiative

Embracing Dyslexia

The powerful documentary film, Embracing Dyslexia by Luis Macias, gives viewers an insider's perspective what life is like living with dyslexia in moving testimonials from parents of children with dyslexia and dyslexic adults. Throughout the film they reveal the life-altering impact the word dyslexia had on their lives, including the hurdles each has faced, as well as the success they experienced throughout their journey. Hear from educators, researchers and dyslexia experts as they explain the importance of early detection through screenings and various resources and strategies available once a diagnosis is made. The message that echoes throughout the hour long film is one of hope and that by recognizing and fostering the natural gifts and abilities of a child with dyslexia, they can shift the mindset from feeling stupid and experiencing failure on a daily basis to believing in themselves and knowing that they can be successful. 

If you are interested in hosting a screening, click here for a free printable flyer. 

For more information or to view the film outside of this blog, visit the Embracing Dyslexia website. 

Source: Embracing Dyslexia