Dyslexia

What is dyslexia?

• Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that mainly affects reading and related language-based processing skills

• It is characterised by difficulties in spelling and decoding, accurate and fluent word recognition 

• Dyslexia is not related to low IQ

• Dyslexia often co-occurs with other types of neurodivergence such as ADHD and dyscalculia

• Children will not outgrow dyslexia

• Dyslexia can run in families (Roitsch & Watson, 2019)

• Early intervention is more effective than remediation

• Schools can screen for dyslexia, however, a diagnosis can only be made by a professional

What you might see:

• Preschool - delayed speech and difficulty learning nursery rhymes 

• difficulties in making phoneme/grapheme connections (letter to sound)

•  spelling and writing challenges - idiosyncratic spelling, mixing up the sequence of letters e.g. dose instead of does 

• Consistent reading errors of basic words e.g. saw and was, who and how

• Poor retention of previously learning reading and spelling words

• Difficulties with directing (left and right) and time (reading clocks, days of the week etc)

• Reluctance to read aloud

Accommodations:

• Use a structured literacy approach - explicit instruction beginning with phonological awareness (sounds) and using a systematic scope and sequence 

• Allow extra time for tasks

• Don't insist on having the child read aloud

• Provide assisted technology for writing tasks e.g. speech to text software

• Use visuals, diagrams, charts, etc

• Focus on the child’s strengths and acknowledge differences e.g. creativity, visual-spatial skills, problem-solving skills

• Older students may have access to SAC (Special Assessment Conditions) for NCEA assessments

• As educators, be kind - create a positive environment where mokopuna feels safe asking for help

Websites:

Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand 

SPELD 

TKI Inclusive Education