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Dyslexia

+What is Dyslexia?

n A learning disability that can hinder a person's ability to read, write, spell, and sometimes speak.

n Most common learning disability in children and persists throughout life.

n Types of Dyslexia: n  Trauma

n  Primary

n  Secondary

n  Visual

+Common Characteristics

n Letter and number reversals

n Difficulty copying from the board or a book can also suggest problems

n General disorganization of written work

n May not be able to remember content

n May appear to be uncoordinated and have difficulty with organized sports or games.

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n Difficulty with left and right is common.

n Recalling sequences of things or more than one command at a time can be difficult.

n Parts of words or parts of whole sentences may be missed.

n Words can come out sounding funny.

n May become withdrawn and appear to be depressed.

+Strengths

n Ability to create.

n Able to link abstract ideas together that many of their peers would not recognize.

n Natural ability to disorient from their surroundings and experience their ideas as if they were reality.

n Ability to see, hear, feel and sense what they are creating in their minds.

n Unique personalities.

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n Visual-spatial, or intuitive “global learning” style.

n Amounts of information may come very quickly, and sometimes even unconsciously, enabling them to arrive at simple answers and interpretations to complex questions much quicker than their peers.

n They can then piece together large pockets of information, and re-arrange ideas, and then work backwards to go and fill in the smaller details of their idea.

+Challenges

n Disorients so much in a day that they are unaware of amount.

n Delayed speech

n Hyperactivity

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n Attention deficits

n Allergies

n Reading difficulties

n Self-doubts, frustration and disappointment

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+Tips for Teachers

n Info structured in sequences moving from simple to complex

n Language and rules need to be directly taught

n One on one instruction

n Multi-sensory approach

+Accommodations with Materials n Tape recorder n Block out extraneous stimuli n Highlight essential info n Provide a glossary in content areas

n Develop reading guides

+Accommodations with interactive instruction n Maintain daily routines n Provide a copy of lecture notes n Provide a graphic organizer n Step by step instructions n Key points on the board n Mnemonic instruction n Emphasize daily review

+Accommodations involving student performance n Change response mode n Provide an outline n Place students close to teacher n Encourage calendars n Turn lined paper vertically n Cues to denote important items

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n Hierarchical worksheets n Allow instructional aids n Display samples n Peer learning n Encourage note sharing n Flexible work times n Assignment substitutions/adjustments

+Assistive Technology

n Abbreviation expanders on Word documents

n Alternative keyboards

n Audio books and publications

n Electronic math worksheets

n Graphic organizers and outlining

n Information/data managers

n Optical character recognition

n Personal FM listening systems

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n Proofreading programs n Speech recognition programs n Speech synthesizers/screen readers n Talking calculators n Electronic dictionaries n Variable speed tape recorders n Word prediction programs

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