Krista's 3-book series, Everyday Adventures with Molly and Dyslexia is now available in bookstores and online shops! These books are a wonderful way to talk to young children about dyslexia, the importance of self-advocacy, self-acceptance, and discovery of dyslexic...
![The Gift of Seeing People and Events from Multiple Perspectives [Premium]](https://www.dyslexicadvantage.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/The-Gift-of-Seeing-People-and-Events-from-Multiple-Perspectives-da-400x250.jpg)
There is a talent cluster that we’ve seen among dyslexics in diverse backgrounds, and it’s a gift of being able to see people and events from multiple perspectives. Within the MIND strengths framework, this could be in I for Interconnected Thinking, N for Narrative Thinking, or D for Dynamic Thinking. It is a gift to be able to visualize or or imagine a simulation of how people and events can be seen from different perspectives, and it allows empathy for people and situations that others might miss, or a connection of events that others see separately, and predictions that provide positive opportunities for bettering one’s situation or the world, or staving off problems. You might notice children who seem unusually empathetic or observant about the […]
![Are There Any Group Activities That Benefit Dyslexic Students? [Premium]](https://www.dyslexicadvantage.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Group-Classroom-Activities-400x250.jpg)
Like non-dyslexic students, there can be a wide variations that exist between how students enjoy group activities. In general, extroverts love group activities, while introverts less so. But there are benefits from the selection of some activities that especially benefit dyslexic students. CREATE A POSITIVE CLASSROOM CULTURE FOR DIFFERENT LEARNERS First of all, it’s helpful to have a classroom culture that allows flexibility in learning and accepting of differences. Students can be encouraged to take a different approach while solving problems and demonstrating knowledge. A discussion about differences in learning at the beginning of the year can make students who know they learn differently, feel more welcome. Some teachers may also model their openness to solving problems or learning a different way. Offering students options […]
![Dyslexia and Personal Relationships [Premium]](https://www.dyslexicadvantage.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Dyslexia-and-Relationships-400x250.jpg)
‘Dyslexic moments’ like in the BuzzFeed video with Becky and Corey may happen a lot depending on how significant dyslexia related challenges are. Besides car directions, there are little mistakes writing down phone numbers or addresses or jotting down notes. Supportive families know how to be flexible and roll with the unexpected. It’s not uncommon for people to wonder whether they should bring up their dyslexia as they get to know someone better. It’s not easy bringing up these things because it can call up all sorts of past memories of being in school and misunderstood, and chances are, a significant other may know little about dyslexia. Some people choose not to bring the subject up – while others may have not known they had […]
![What is ‘Explicit’ Instruction and Why Does It Help with Dyslexia? [Premium]](https://www.dyslexicadvantage.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/What-is-Explicit-Instruction-and-Why-Does-It-Help-with-Dyslexia-b-400x250.jpg)
If you look at almost any evidence-based guidelines for students with dyslexia, you’ll see the word ‘explicit’ in how instruction is delivered. Merriam’s Dictionary defines explicit as: “fully revealed or expressed without vagueness, implication, or ambiguity; leaving no question as to meaning or intent.” WHY IS EXPLICIT INSTRUCTION FOR DYSLEXIC STUDENTS? Remember that people with dyslexia tend to store information in explicit or declarative memory – with episodic memory areas being especially active. Activities that non-dyslexic people seem to acquire more effortlessly – like recognizing printed words, writing by hand, or retrieving math facts – are difficult if not impossible to learn without explicit instruction. For example, many non-dyslexic people may learn grammatical structure just through encountering different sentences when they are reading; dyslexic students, […]
![Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Do? [Premium]](https://www.dyslexicadvantage.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/is-there-anything-not-do-400x250.png)
We’re often asked to give suggestions of activities or jobs that might be bad matches for people who are dyslexic, but the best answer is almost always, “It depends.” Dyslexic people tend to excel in creative activities that may include some or all of the MIND strengths (Material Reasoning, Interconnected Reasoning, Narrative Reasoning, Dynamic Reasoning). Difficult activities for dyslexics tend to include secretarial work because of its demands on proofreading and transcription, and rote repetitive jobs that require that tasks be done the same way every time. However, there are few absolute prohibitions when it comes to different activities or fields. In many fields or careers, challenges may arise, but in most cases these can be overcome with workarounds, technology, partnering with someone else, or […]
The more you read, the easier it is to read, but what if reading is still difficult? Is the best way to reading independently just toughing it out and persisting although you may be skipping words or reading at such a slow pace it's difficult to know what you're...
![Don’t Do This: Dyslexia in The General Classroom [Premium]](https://www.dyslexicadvantage.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Dont-Do-This-Dyslexia-in-The-General-Classroom-Premium-a-1-400x250.jpg)
With all the demands that teachers face regarding classroom management, and the pressures getting students up to speed in reading and math, dyslexic students may find themselves experiencing additional stress from common classroom practices. We now know that as a group, dyslexic children are more emotionally reactive than their classroom peers (UCSF research). In addition, we know that over half of dyslexic adults experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder when returning to school settings as parents. In the the Dyslexia at School study from Dyslexic Advantage, 43% of parents surveyed reported that their student was punished because of dyslexia-related challenges. What were some the punishments recorded? – given extra homework – physical seclusion (work in hallway or closet) – singled out in classroom […]
![The Unexpected Nature of Dyslexia [Premium]](https://www.dyslexicadvantage.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Unexpected-Nature-of-Dyslexia-DA-362x250.jpg)
![The Big Picture of Dyslexic Cognition [Premium]](https://www.dyslexicadvantage.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Dyslexic-Cognition-400x250.jpg)
“Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever- growing insistency…” — Daniel Burnham, a founding father of American urban design With every year, a stronger picture of dyslexic cognition seems to be emerging and with this greater knowledge comes a better understanding of the positive opportunities and advantages as well as broader context for why development seems to be so late blooming and beset by unexpected challenges. MIND STRENGTHS, DEFAULT MODE NETWORK, INTERCONNECTED THINKING Although there’s a new push […]
Congratulations to Drs. Mark Moulton and Brock Eide for their publication of a novel multi-dimensional approach to measuring dyslexia risk. See publication HERE. This is the paper based on the novel Neurolearning dyslexia screening app. As the paper describes...
![Question: My 5th Grader is Refusing Structured Literacy What Should I do? [Premium]](https://www.dyslexicadvantage.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/5th-Grader-Refusing-Structured-Literacy-400x250.jpg)
My 5th Grader is refusing structured literacy, what should I do? The following is general and not specific advice. The best advice comes from someone who knows your student and also knows in more detail what your student has been experiencing. REFUSING STRUCTURED LITERACY It’s generally accepted that structured literacy is the remediation of choice for students who are struggling significantly with reading and individual word decoding. There are many reasons why students may struggle with and ultimately give up on structured literacy. They may be depressed and worn out or mismatched with a curriculum, teacher or tutor. Sometimes what worked for a student in the past won’t work for them now because the progress is slow, or they decode sufficiently that they prefer to […]
