Special Needs: What to Know about Dyslexia

Special Needs: Dyslexia

This is an informational post. This is NOT meant to medically diagnose you, your child, or anyone else.

Dyslexia is a learning disability that impairs one’s ability to read. This has nothing to do with IQ. It is not a comprehension difficulty. Dyslexic children have difficulities reading, spelling, telling time and more due to a brain mechanism that doesn’t work properly. Sometimes this can even be seen in a PET or fMRI scan! It can be inherited, or even brought on by an injury to the head.

A Few Symptoms of Dyslexia:

• Difficulties spelling, reading, and learning letters
• Confusion over right and left
• Writing numbers or letters backwards (Mirror image)
• Difficulties in math & telling time
• Complains of dizziness & headaches while reading
• Doesn’t understand rhymes or sequences
• Reading and Writing show reversal of words, letters, and numbers
• Speech Delay

Helping Dyslexic Children in the Classroom
Proficient reading is essential for excelling in school. Child who are slow at reading or cannot reading can become very frustrated and discouraged. Here are a few tips if you have a dyslexic child in your class.

1. Make sure you check the child’s written assignments for the night to make sure they wrote down the correct page numbers and information needed.
2. Help the child learn good organizational skills with the use of folders and labels.
3. Break down large tasks into smaller pieces of information- and write it down.
4. Seat the child close to the teachers desk so that they can access help quicker if needed.
5. Color coordinate different subjects in your classroom- especially if writing on the chalk/white board.
6. Don’t ask the child to read publicly in class. Save him the struggle & embarrassment.
7. Suggest books on tape instead of reading assignments.
8. Help them learn how to double check their work.
9. Teach the child how to use a calculator to double check his math work.
10. Help him/her improve their handwriting skills. It will help to build confidence.
11. The biggest tip- be flexible! Each child will need help a little differently.

Can Dyslexia be Cured?No, but early intervention, a strong support system, and a high amount of encouragement can go a long way in helping a child work at overcoming his/her dyslexia. Learn more about dyslexia at the Dyslexia Foundation.

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