Overcoming Dyslexia: Research & Strategies

In module one, we'll cover the basics. What is dyslexia? What is reading? How does a dyslexic reader differ from an "automatic" reader? We'll take some time to talk about the 100+ year history of dyslexia and reveal how much progress modern science has made in understanding what goes on in the brain of a dyslexic reader.

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How does one know if they, or their child, is dyslexic? Module two examines the origin of the difficulties in dyslexia: getting to the sounds of spoken language. We'll talk about the paradox of dyslexia: a circumscribed deficit in decoding surrounded by a sea of strengths in higher cognitive function. We'll examine when, how, and why to begin screening and testing children for dyslexia and what signs primary caretakers and teachers should be on the lookout for in their children and students at risk for dyslexia.

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Here we examine the many facets of providing the most effective interventions for dyslexic children. Included are interventions for the beginning reader such as teaching phonemic awareness and phonics. Teaching fluency, vocabulary and comprehension follow as well as strategies that encourage and preserve the child's self-esteem. Throughout we emphasize the critical importance of employing evidence-based interventions.

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We survey and examine public schools, independent schools and schools specialized for dyslexia and when parents of dyslexic children might consider changing their child's current school. The pros and cons of each type are examined with an emphasis on choosing a school where the climate for dyslexic children is welcoming. Two private independent schools and a public charter school specialized for dyslexia are examined In depth, focusing not only on their reading programs but how these specialized schools preserve and protect the dyslexic child's self-esteem, promising and most often fulfilling the dyslexic graduate with an opportunity to succeed in high school, college and in life.

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Here we use life histories of dyslexic individuals to illustrate how despite their difficulty in reading, by using their sea of strengths and incredible resilience, dyslexics can and do succeed in a wide range of careers and professions. Beginning in adolescence, a focus on academics and organizational skills paves the way to success in college and their perseverance and creativity auger well for their success in the workplace. Through the stories of successful dyslexics we emphasize how critical it is that dyslexic children and young adults know that they can succeed and should be encouraged by their parents, teachers and guidance counselors to pursue their dreams.

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Anxiety and ADHD are the most common comorbid disorders co-occurring with dyslexia, anxiety observed in nearly all and ADHD seen in half of children and adults with dyslexia. Through two case histories the subtypes of anxiety (including social anxiety and panic disorder) and the subtypes of ADHD (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, combined) as well as their symptoms are reviewed. Effective pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions (cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT, and mindfulness) are reviewed. We emphasize the critical importance of recognizing and treating comorbid anxiety and ADHD in the child and adult with dyslexia.

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Dyslexic students and dyslexic adults have come to depend on using technology within a framework of critical accommodations to allow them to succeed not only in school but in their careers and professions. We focus as well on the use of text to speech technology and the accommodation of partial waivers for the foreign language requirement in college and graduate school. In particular we review the rationale including the neural basis for the life-changing accommodation of extra time, especially critical for high stakes, gate-keeper standardized tests.

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In these lessons we note the federal definition of dyslexia as "an unexpected difficulty in reading for an individual who has the intelligence to be a much better reader" and review three relevant federal statutes affecting interventions and accommodations for dyslexic students: IDEA, ADAAA, and section 504. We note the concept of condition, manner and duration as detailed in the ADAAA and in the DOJ Final Regulations of that law. We review how the ADAAA has been applied in cases of dyslexic medical and law students requesting accommodations and how dyslexic applicants for high stakes standardized tests no longer suffer the effects of flagging their scores as invalid.

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