How to Teach a Dyslexic Child

 

Dyslexia is a learning disability that causes an individual to struggle with reading and writing. It can also affect other areas of a person's life: focus, memory skills, and organization. When you understand how to teach a dyslexic child, you can help build their self-awareness as well as their cognitive skills by using teaching methods with a multi-sensory approach. This will help them not only in the classroom, but for the rest of their lives.

1.Utilize a multi-sensory approach to teaching. Multi-sensory teaching involves many senses at the same time: touch, sight, movement, and sound. Though this is extremely helpful for a dyslexic child, all students can benefit from this.

·         Write note cards. This provides something tangible for students to look at while also giving them something to hold. Having them read the note card out loud also engages their motor and auditory skills.

·         Make sand trays. Sand trays are simply tray-like containers that contain sand (or beans or shaving cream). Students can use these to spell words or draw pictures in the sand. This engages their sense of touch.

·         Incorporate fun activities into their learning time. Games and other creative activities get the dyslexic child more involved in the learning process. This makes learning more fun and rewarding, as it gives them a sense of accomplishment.

·         Use color intentionally. Visual cues help individuals with dyslexia to understand written material. Use color on the blackboard or marker board. Write decimals in math problems in a different color. Grade in a color other than red, as red carries a universally negative connotation.

2.Use time wisely. Dyslexic children often struggle with focusing. Other things may distract them, or they may have a hard time listening to a long lecture or watching a lengthy video. Dyslexic children may also struggle with short-term memory, making it difficult for them to take notes or understand simple instructions.

·         Take your time. Do not rush through a class lecture. Give students time to copy anything written on the board. Make sure dyslexic students understand you before moving on to another section.

·         Repeat yourself often. Since dyslexic children may struggle with short-term memory, it is challenging for them to remember what you say. Repeat instructions, key words, and concepts so students are more likely to remember what you say, at least long enough to write it down.

·         Incorporate short breaks regularly. A dyslexic child often struggles to sit for long periods of time. Take short breaks throughout the day to divide long lectures. You can also move from activity to activity. For example, lecture, game, back to lecture, followed by a learning activity.

·         Use appropriate time limits. It takes dyslexic children longer to complete assignments other students may have no problem completing. Allow dyslexic students more time to take exams and quizzes and to complete homework so they do not feel rushed.

3.Provide handouts. Again, since dyslexic children struggle with short-term memory, providing them with some sort of outline as you are lecturing is helpful, especially following long lectures. Write homework instructions directly on the assignment so they know what is expected. Use visual cues, such as asterisks and bullets, to highlight important directives or information. It is also beneficial to let them

4.Model organizational structures. Help individuals with dyslexia to develop organizational skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Model these in your classroom, but also encourage them to apply them at home.

·         Use folders to separate different classes or class topics. This makes homework assignments and handouts easier to find. Color-code these if possible.

·         Stick to a daily routine. Schedules help dyslexic children know what to expect and what is coming up next. If possible, post your routine, using both words and images, on a classroom wall for students to refer to.

·         Encourage dyslexic children to use an assignment book or calendar. Have them write daily assignments in their assignment book. Check these before they leave school to ensure they understand the directions

5.Utilize other resources. Do not feel like you are the only teacher for a dyslexic student. There are several resources available to help dyslexic children learn.

·         Encourage peer tutoring. Peer resources and social support are probably one of the strongest resources you can offer. Students can read aloud to each other, review notes, or conduct lab experiments together.

·         Bring a specialist into the classroom. This helps prevent the dyslexic child from feeling different and benefits the other students as well.

·         Utilize appropriate technology. Games, word processors, voice activated software, and digital voice recording can all be very useful for a child with dyslexia.