Learning disability is one of the most common underlying issues found in one in every five students. The most common language-based learning disability found among children is dyslexia. Research shows that approximately 80% of students with dyslexia are not diagnosed till primary grades. When they reach the higher classes, notable symptoms can be found such as challenges with subject-specific coursework and reading. So, it is very important for an educator or a teacher to know exactly what type of instruction is best for students with dyslexia.
Before delving deep into the topic, let’s first discuss a little bit about dyslexia, the condition, and its symptoms.
About Dyslexia:
Dyslexia is a language-based learning disorder that primarily impacts a child’s ability to read, by interfering with their capacity to recognize and manipulate language sounds. Children with dyslexia face trouble when it comes to decoding new words or breaking them down into manageable parts to sound out, causing challenges with reading, writing, and spelling. While they may compensate by memorizing words, they often struggle with recognizing new words and retrieving familiar ones at a slower pace. Children with dyslexia also have difficulty taking normal instructions and as a result, in an inclusive classroom, they can’t follow the instructions or directions given by the teachers.
It’s essential to understand that dyslexia is not indicative of a child’s intelligence. It is characterized as a gap between a student’s ability and achievement. Educators who take the responsibility to teach these children must opt for dyslexia training programs in order to learn the proper ways to teach and instruct them. Although some children with dyslexia may keep up with their peers with extra effort, especially in the early grades, they may encounter difficulties by the third grade when they need to read quickly and fluently to stay on track with their coursework.
However, with the right help and strategies to compensate for their weaknesses in decoding, students with dyslexia can learn to read and excel academically. Teachers must be well aware of all the special methodologies to make the learning process easier for children with dyslexia. It’s important for everyone to note that dyslexia is a lifelong condition that one does not grow out of, but with the right support and help, children with dyslexia can achieve their full potential.
Awareness of Dyslexia:
Thankfully, there is growing awareness of dyslexia, and progress is being made in terms of support for affected students. In 2015, the Department of Education of the U. S. issued a new policy that confirms that students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia are eligible for school support funded through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). There are 43 states that have implemented dyslexia laws, and more school districts are offering diagnostic and instructional services for students exhibiting symptoms of dyslexia.
Although state mandates may not always be fully funded, evidence-based instructional practices can enable dyslexic students to become successful readers and high academic achievers. Teachers play a huge role in making dyslexic children comfortable in a classroom. It’s exactly why the requirement for dyslexia training for teachers has increased rapidly. By providing specific support and instructional strategies, dyslexic students can overcome the challenges they face and achieve their full potential.
What type of instruction is best for students with dyslexia?
Unlocking the Potential: Here are some evidence-based Strategies and instructional recommendations for teachers who deal with dyslexic children.
Clear, Concise, and Effective: The Outstanding Power of Explicit Instruction
International Dyslexia Association (IDA) opines that explicit instruction helps dyslexic students to learn things in a better manner. Explicit instruction involves deliberately teaching all concepts with ongoing and simple interaction between the student and teacher. The IDA emphasizes that it cannot be assumed that students will naturally grasp these concepts on their own. Therefore, student-teacher interaction plays an essential role since most students lack the motivation and confidence to self-teach, particularly if they are already experiencing dyslexia symptoms.
Engaging the Senses: Multisensory Learning for Dyslexic Students
The use of multiple senses, such as sight, sound, touch, and movement, can immensely enhance learning for all students. It is especially effective for those with dyslexic characteristics as they always crave emotional attachment no matter what they are studying. By activating different parts of the brain, multisensory learning can improve engagement, comprehension, and retention of information. As a result, dyslexic children can understand instructions better and do their work accordingly. The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) recommends incorporating at least two or three senses in reading instruction to assist dyslexic students in comprehending new material and retaining it better. Teachers who opt for dyslexia training programs have a way better understanding of what instructions can help students with dyslexia.
Vocabulary
Understanding word meanings is very important for comprehension. While reading, we identify words and some related groups that we are familiar with. This is why acquiring vocabulary is a crucial aspect of reading development. Teachers must be extremely attentive while reading out a piece or making a dyslexic student read a piece. Children with dyslexia must be taken special care of so that they do not alienate themselves in an inclusive classroom.
According to cognitive scientists, vocabulary is considered one of the primary factors in predicting reading comprehension for all students.
Unlocking the Silent Struggle: Improving Reading Fluency in Dyslexic Students
Reading fluently contributes to academic success. Many dyslexic students struggle with fluency while reading even after improving their word decoding accuracy. The challenge is compounded when students switch from oral to silent reading. How can a teacher help them? According to IDA teachers should include accurate fluency assessments, appropriate texts, independent reading practice, and structured interventions. These strategies can help dyslexic students unlock the silent struggle of poor reading fluency. Children also become more confident when they are able to read fluently in front of other children. A teacher must be present in class while this type of assessment takes place and must praise students to encourage them.
Morphology
A morpheme, in language, is the fundamental building block and it carries significance. By understanding the study of base words, roots, prefixes, and suffixes (i.e., morphology), teachers can easily help students with dyslexic traits rapidly and effortlessly decode new words while reading. Suppose, a student understands that the word “accept” means “to receive or come to recognize something as correct”, then he or she can also infer the meanings of the related words such as “acceptance”, “accepted”, etc.
Innovative Teaching Technique to Identify and Address Learning Challenges
Diagnostic teaching is quite a powerful teaching approach as it aims to recognize and identify why a particular student is struggling. A teacher needs to provide customized instruction that meets their individual needs in order to help them come out of their shell and shine bright in the future.
According to the IDA, educators should use a combination of informal assessments (such as observing the student while taking instruction) and formal assessments (such as standardized tests) to identify and address their students’ learning challenges. This definitely helps the teacher to understand what exactly the student requires and the teacher then can act accordingly. You can simply get in touch with I Empower LLC and join the dyslexia training for teachers program for a better understanding of the whole matter.