According to the Internation Dyslexia Association<\/a>, dyslexia is defined as a <\/em>specific learning disability that is neurobiological (e.g., within the brain) in origin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is characterized by difficulties in learning to recognize words quickly and accurately<\/a>, as well as challenges with spelling and sounding out (decoding). <\/p>\n\n\n\n These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language (i.e., breaking down and hearing the individual sounds in words). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Challenges in students with dyslexia are often unexpected in relation to the individual’s other abilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Difficulty reading words can also lead to problems in reading comprehension<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These challenges can also cause children to struggle with reading motivation which can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Side Note: People often think dyslexia is reversing letters or numbers.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n While some students with dyslexia will reverse sounds in words when reading or spelling, that is due to the challenges with phonics and word recognition, rather than a specific problem with reversals. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Research on dyslexia<\/a> tells us that the most effective dyslexia interventions are based on the Orton-Gillingham method<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This means the intervention should start at the level the student is currently at, with the intention of gradually increasing the challenges as the student makes improvements, which are monitored by the instructor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Intervention is most often done one-on-one or in small groups, but can be adapted for a classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can ask your teacher to asses your student\u2019s reading level, or do a Google Search for how to assess reading level<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The approach encourages visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (movement-based) learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat does the research tell us about effective interventions for students with dyslexia?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Orton-Gillingham method contains the following five components:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. The intervention is personalized to meet the needs of the student and to move at their pace. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Multisensory and interactive activities<\/a> are used to engage various parts of the brain. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n