Dyslexia

Dyslexia

What should be done when you suspect Dyslexia?

Individuals suspected of having a reading disability should have a comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation including hearing, vision, and intelligence testing. This evaluation should include all areas of learning and learning processes, not just reading. The diagnostician(s) should then be able to determine whether there are additional learning disabilities, make recommendations for teaching methods, and specify whether additional services are needed.

In many schools children are not identified as having a reading disability until they have failed for an extended period because of a formula used to determine whether a student is eligible for special services. A child should not have to fail for two or three years to demonstrate evidence of a learning disability.

If a child is diagnosed with a reading disability (or dyslexia), it is important for parents to ask exactly what the problem is, what method of teaching reading is recommended, and why it was selected. There are many approaches to teaching children with reading disabilities to read. Recent research on beginning reading skills indicated that many children having difficulty benefit from direct instruction in phonological processing and a multi-sensory phonics approach to reading. There is, however, no single method that will be effective with every child. A change in method should be considered if progress is not seen in a reasonable length of time. Selecting the appropriate reading method for a child with a reading disability is critical for success. Educators and psychologists generally agree that the remedial focus should be on the specific learning problems of dyslexics. Therefore, the usual treatment approach is to modify teaching methods and the educational environment.

Children suspected of being dyslexic should be tested by a psychologist. By using a variety of tests, it is possible to identify the types of mistakes that are most commonly made. The examiner then can make specific recommendations for treatment such as tutoring, summer school, speech therapy, or placement in special classes. Treatment programs for dyslexic children fall into three general categories: developmental, corrective, and remedial. Some programs combine elements from more than one category. The developmental approach involves the use of methods that have previously been used in the belief that these methods are sound and that the child needs extra time and attention.

The corrective approach uses small groups in tutorial sessions, but it emphasizes a child's assets and interests. Those who use this method hope to encourage children to rely on their own special abilities to overcome their difficulties. Proponents of the remedial approach try to resolve the specific educational and psychological problems that interfere with learning.

How to help people with Dyslexia?

You may suspect your child has dyslexia even before he or she starts school. Your family may have a history of reading or spelling difficulties or your child may already show some of the signs listed earlier. If so, there are things you can do at home to help. Essentially these activities are all to do with overcoming the particular problems of a dyslexic ...