How to Teach Students With Dyslexia
Teaching students with dyslexia requires a great deal of flexibility. Dyslexia can range from a minor difficulty to a crippling disability making even the most rudimentary passages difficult to decode. It can also be accompanied by self-esteem issues, attention deficit disorder and other learning disabilities. The best way to deal with it is to work closely with the student and her parents. By checking in frequently and making accommodations when necessary, you can ensure that your dyslexic students have the same opportunity as everyone else to benefit from education. Read on to learn how to teach students with dyslexia.
Instructions
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Get the student as much help as you can. Work with the parents and the student to see what options are available. Depending on the severity of the dyslexia and the options offered in you area, a tutor, in-class aide or a full Individualized Education Plan (IEP) might be mandated.
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Work with the student to make accommodations. In general, dyslexic students should be allowed to take tests without a time limit. They will also benefit from receiving a typed outline to go along with lectures, or simply receiving a full typed copy of lecture notes (it is very difficult for many dyslexic students to take notes while listening.) In addition, dyslexic students should be exempted from reading aloud in class, although they can still memorize and recite passages.
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Use multiple modes of instruction. Combining auditory, visual, spatial and kinesthetic learning will not only help dyslexic students, but will help to allow other students with different learning styles get the most they can out of the lessons.
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Check in with dyslexic students frequently. It is crucial that they be kept up to date. Many students can procrastinate and successfully complete assignments at the last minute, but this is not the case for dyslexic students. Assignments tend to take them longer to complete, so they often won't succeed with last-minute cramming. In addition, they need to read and write every day or else their reading skills will quickly start to slide.
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Be aware of the individual strengths of your students with dyslexia as well as their weaknesses. Many people who suffer from dyslexia benefit from outstanding abilities in long-term memory, spatial reasoning, lateral thinking, problem solving, or artistic ability. In addition, keep in mind that each student is an individual with his own strengths and weaknesses.
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Tips & Warnings
Watch out for self-esteem issues. Dyslexic students often feel depressed because they have difficulties with basic reading and writing skills which their peers find comparatively easy.
Push your dyslexic students to do the best they can. Remember, dyslexia is not an absence of intelligence or ability. It is as important to challenge your dyslexic students to succeed as it is to recognize the areas they may need extra help in.
