Is dyslexia a vague term?

“The symptoms of dyslexia vary from person to person which seems to justify the belief of many in the educational system that dyslexia is a vague term. It is true that no two persons’ experiences with dyslexia are exactly the same and this is due to an individual’s strengths compensating for the individual’s weaknesses. Not only does this make the identification of dyslexia difficult, but there is no single test or score that identifies dyslexia.

 

The key identifier of dyslexia is unexpected in relation to an individual’s ability. The general pattern of dyslexia is average to above average in understanding concepts but low in skills. Dyslexia becomes more apparent when looking at the patterns of errors and difficulties.”

 

http://decodingdyslexiaoh.org/dyslexia-language-processing-problems-reading-1-of-4/

Happy Halloween!

Since we’re both interns at NASA, we’re particularly fond of this spooky playlist for Halloween! https://gizmodo.com/space-has-never-sounded-scarier-than-on-nasas-halloween-1819973036

Top 10 colleges for students with LD

When checking out colleges, be sure to ask about the services available to students who have dyslexia. https://www.collegemagazine.com/top-10-accommodating-schools-students-learning-disabilities/?platform=hootsuite

Multisensory techniques

We use several of these techniques when tutoring children who have dyslexia.

https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/instructional-strategies/8-multisensory-techniques-for-teaching-reading

3D models

3D models embedded in books can often help readers understand and visualize the materials, but they’re often associated either with digital ebooks or children’s pop-up books. However, 3D models were integrated into books on advanced topics even in the 16th century, like in the case of Euclid’s Elements of Geometrie (1570).

Struggling, but not eligible

What happens to kids who are struggling, yet are not eligible for LD assistance?

 

http://shutdownlearner.com/struggling-but-not-eligibile/?platform=hootsuite

Just say no to weekly spelling tests

“Just say no to weekly spelling tests. Instead, let’s use strategies that are actually beneficial” – https://www.dyslexiapros.com/single-post/2014/11/07/Just-say-no-to-spelling-tests

Treatable dyslexia?

“French scientists say they may have found a potential cause of dyslexia which could be treatable, hidden in tiny cells in the human eye… In the study, scientists looked into the eyes of 30 non-dyslexics and 30 dyslexics. In non-dyslexics, they found that the blue cone-free spot in one eye was round and in the other eye it was oblong or unevenly shaped, making the round one more dominant. But in dyslexic people, both eyes had the same round-shaped spot, which meant neither eye was dominant. This would result in the brain being confused by two slightly different images from the eyes. Researchers said this lack of asymmetry might be the biological and anatomical basis of reading and spelling disabilities. For dyslexic students, their two eyes are equivalent and their brain has to successively rely on the two slightly different versions of a given visual scene.” What do you think about this study? http://www.bbc.com/news/health-41666320

Famous dyslexic John Hoke

John Hoke, the chief design officer of Nike, discusses how his dyslexia made him look at the world differently, why he doodles and how he manages 1,000 designers.

Never wait!

“If help isn’t given to a child with reading difficulties until the child is in 4th grade, instead of in Kindergarten, it takes 4 times as long to improve”