Dyslexia
Definition:
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling (Australian Dyslexia Association, 2007).
Impact on Student Learning
Because students with dyslexia have difficulties with reading and spelling this has a significant impact on student learning. Some areas that have a negative impact on student learning (Reid, 2011, pp. 11-14) include:
- Difficulty recognising and remembering word sounds
- Reversing, omitting and adding sounds and letters.
- Loses place when reading.
- Has a difficulty with the sequence of the alphabet.
- Difficulty pronouncing multi-symbolic words.
- Poor word attack skills.
- Slow reading skills with little expression.
- Word confusion when spelling and writing
. - Poor short term memory.
These difficulties and others may prevent students with dyslexia from accessing the curriculum fully and obtaining a quality education.
Impact on Teaching
Having students with dyslexia in the classroom can have a huge impact on teaching. Teachers need to be aware of the individual strengths and weaknesses of students with dyslexia in order to meet their educational needs. With dyslexia a gap exists between ‘learning aptitude and achievement in school’ (Ott, 2007, p. 3) and as such teachers should not underestimate the intelligence of students with dyslexia, but rather ensure they are providing students with the tools and information required to best teach these students. Teachers need to be aware of how they present information to students, and use an array of different techniques that work best for the individual needs of the student’s with dyslexia.
Teaching Strategies
Dr Nola Firth (2010) provides some strategies that teachers can adopt which may assist students with dyslexia in the classroom (p. 9):
- Use coloured paper to reduce glare.
- Give written information to students ahead of time.
- When using technology modify the font so it is easy to read.
- Use speech to text programs and text to speech.
- Provide information in print-free form as much as possible.
Gavin Reid (2011) suggests the following strategies for teaching students with dyslexia (pp. 5-65):
- Provide concise instructions
- Make learning multisensory; Use visual, auditory, tactile and kinaesthetic tactics.
- Allow more time for students to process information.
- Tasks need to be made clear and explicit.
- Teachers should be aware that the layout of worksheets is just as important as the content and the tasks.
- Select an instructional or behaviour-management strategy that matches the student’s specific needs
- Strategies need to be individualised and take into account the learning context and the learner’s strengths and weaknesses.
The most important strategy a teacher can adopt when catering to the needs of students with dyslexia is to create an Individual Learning Plan.
Support Networks in Schools and the Community
There are numerous support networks available in Schools and in the Community for students with Dyslexia. The Australian Dyslexia Association provides information and support to people with Dyslexia as well as their family and school. The ADA provides information workshops on how to best help students with dyslexia as well as providing support such as camps for children with dyslexia to attend.
The ADA is a partner of the International Dyslexia Association which aims to provide information and support on a global scale to those with Dyslexia and their families.
Australian Dyslexia Association: http://www.dyslexiaassociation.org.au/
International Dyslexia Association: http://www.interdys.org/
Relevant Legislation
Students with Dyslexia have a right to receive quality education, as outlined by several national and international legislations:
Children's Services Act 1996 states that all children, including those with special learning needs such as Dyslexia, are entitled to receive an education (Australian Government, 1996).
The Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 determines, like the Children’s Services Act 1996, that all children should have access to appropriate educational services (Australian Government, 2005).
Regardless of abilities, under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 children with Dyslexia are entitled to receive an education that meets their individual needs and is free from discrimination (Australian Government, 1992).
Teachers with students who are Dyslexic in their classrooms should strive to improve the quality of their education so it meets the needs of the students, as outlined in the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (Australian Government, 2010).
The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 makes it explicit that schools must provide special arrangements to meet the needs of children with special needs. The teacher should ensure that their teaching strategies meet the needs of students with Dyslexia (Australian Government, 2006).
Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 promotes the human right of obtaining and having access to education for all students, including those with Dyslexia (United Nations, 1948).
Useful Links
Australian Dyslexia Association: http://www.dyslexiaassociation.org.au/
Dyslexia Australia Association: http://www.dyslexia.org.au/
Dyslexia Australia: http://www.dyslexia-australia.com.au/
Dyslexia Queensland: http://www.dyslexiaqueensland.com.au/DQ2/Gift.html?gclid=CNOfpZfnu7MCFUdfpQodZxEARA
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling (Australian Dyslexia Association, 2007).
Impact on Student Learning
Because students with dyslexia have difficulties with reading and spelling this has a significant impact on student learning. Some areas that have a negative impact on student learning (Reid, 2011, pp. 11-14) include:
- Difficulty recognising and remembering word sounds
- Reversing, omitting and adding sounds and letters.
- Loses place when reading.
- Has a difficulty with the sequence of the alphabet.
- Difficulty pronouncing multi-symbolic words.
- Poor word attack skills.
- Slow reading skills with little expression.
- Word confusion when spelling and writing
. - Poor short term memory.
These difficulties and others may prevent students with dyslexia from accessing the curriculum fully and obtaining a quality education.
Impact on Teaching
Having students with dyslexia in the classroom can have a huge impact on teaching. Teachers need to be aware of the individual strengths and weaknesses of students with dyslexia in order to meet their educational needs. With dyslexia a gap exists between ‘learning aptitude and achievement in school’ (Ott, 2007, p. 3) and as such teachers should not underestimate the intelligence of students with dyslexia, but rather ensure they are providing students with the tools and information required to best teach these students. Teachers need to be aware of how they present information to students, and use an array of different techniques that work best for the individual needs of the student’s with dyslexia.
Teaching Strategies
Dr Nola Firth (2010) provides some strategies that teachers can adopt which may assist students with dyslexia in the classroom (p. 9):
- Use coloured paper to reduce glare.
- Give written information to students ahead of time.
- When using technology modify the font so it is easy to read.
- Use speech to text programs and text to speech.
- Provide information in print-free form as much as possible.
Gavin Reid (2011) suggests the following strategies for teaching students with dyslexia (pp. 5-65):
- Provide concise instructions
- Make learning multisensory; Use visual, auditory, tactile and kinaesthetic tactics.
- Allow more time for students to process information.
- Tasks need to be made clear and explicit.
- Teachers should be aware that the layout of worksheets is just as important as the content and the tasks.
- Select an instructional or behaviour-management strategy that matches the student’s specific needs
- Strategies need to be individualised and take into account the learning context and the learner’s strengths and weaknesses.
The most important strategy a teacher can adopt when catering to the needs of students with dyslexia is to create an Individual Learning Plan.
Support Networks in Schools and the Community
There are numerous support networks available in Schools and in the Community for students with Dyslexia. The Australian Dyslexia Association provides information and support to people with Dyslexia as well as their family and school. The ADA provides information workshops on how to best help students with dyslexia as well as providing support such as camps for children with dyslexia to attend.
The ADA is a partner of the International Dyslexia Association which aims to provide information and support on a global scale to those with Dyslexia and their families.
Australian Dyslexia Association: http://www.dyslexiaassociation.org.au/
International Dyslexia Association: http://www.interdys.org/
Relevant Legislation
Students with Dyslexia have a right to receive quality education, as outlined by several national and international legislations:
Children's Services Act 1996 states that all children, including those with special learning needs such as Dyslexia, are entitled to receive an education (Australian Government, 1996).
The Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 determines, like the Children’s Services Act 1996, that all children should have access to appropriate educational services (Australian Government, 2005).
Regardless of abilities, under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 children with Dyslexia are entitled to receive an education that meets their individual needs and is free from discrimination (Australian Government, 1992).
Teachers with students who are Dyslexic in their classrooms should strive to improve the quality of their education so it meets the needs of the students, as outlined in the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (Australian Government, 2010).
The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 makes it explicit that schools must provide special arrangements to meet the needs of children with special needs. The teacher should ensure that their teaching strategies meet the needs of students with Dyslexia (Australian Government, 2006).
Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 promotes the human right of obtaining and having access to education for all students, including those with Dyslexia (United Nations, 1948).
Useful Links
Australian Dyslexia Association: http://www.dyslexiaassociation.org.au/
Dyslexia Australia Association: http://www.dyslexia.org.au/
Dyslexia Australia: http://www.dyslexia-australia.com.au/
Dyslexia Queensland: http://www.dyslexiaqueensland.com.au/DQ2/Gift.html?gclid=CNOfpZfnu7MCFUdfpQodZxEARA