Curriculum Mapping

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a neurological disorder that affects language processing functions. It manifests itself in a learning disability in handling written text. The word "dyslexia" literally means difficulty with words. The condition results in problems with letter-sound associations leading to difficulties in reading, writing, and spelling. No two dyslexics have the same learning problems, nor is the condition age-related or indicative of low intelligence.

Helping Dyslexic Students Succeed

Teachers have an enormous impact on the life of a dyslexic. Understanding how to support the dyslexic student is the key to making that impact a positive one. Effective teachers recognize the characteristics, difficulties, and strengths of dyslexic students. Challenged, yet equipped with knowledge and compassion, these teachers utilize a variety of teaching strategies to provide opportunities for dyslexic students to succeed.

Difficulties for Dyslexic Students

Students with dyslexia are typically of average or high intelligence, appear bright, but have tremendous difficulties reading, writing, or spelling on grade level. They may be slower to acquire and process language due to poor short-term memory capacities. They also may have difficulty remembering isolated sounds in words when attempting to write or spell.

Throughout school, students with dyslexia may have been assumed to be lazy, immature, unintelligent, or unmotivated. Unfortunately, most dyslexics are not diagnosed until they are between the ages of 11 and 17. By then, a dyslexic student may have experienced a multitude of failures, and thus have developed low self-esteem.

Strengths of Dyslexic Students

People with dyslexia have also been recognized because of the strengths they have developed as a response to the disorder. Dyslexics are typically very curious, have good oral skills, and demonstrate vivid imaginations.

A Few Famous Dyslexics Thomas Edison, Agatha Christie ,Tom Cruise, Whoopi Goldberg ,John Lennon ,Walt Disney

They frequently excel in art, music, architecture, engineering, science, and creative design because they think visually and usually have excellent spatial awareness. It is essential that these strengths be recognized; students with dyslexia can bring valuable insight and opinions to classroom discussions.

Teaching Dyslexic Students