Children and adults with dyslexia have a unique brain structure which can cause them to struggle with reading and to a greater degree, spelling. This is why being dyslexic requires a specialized approach to learning these skills. We will explore the reasons for this.
To simplify the answer, the dyslexic brain is wired in a different way than the neurotypical brain, which uses a pathway favoring areas of the left side of the brain for reading and spelling. The dyslexic brain tends to use more areas on the right side of the brain to do the same task. However, this side of the brain is much less efficient for this particular task.
This can cause extreme frustration and often low self esteem as these intelligent children are baffled as to why they can't do what seems to come so easily to most of there peers.
People with dyslexia often compensate as best they can and sometimes mask their difficulties through using pictures, context clues and guessing at words based on shape.
This causes them to be very slow and choppy when reading and interferes greatly with comprehension, which is the ultimate goal of reading. Thankfully, research has shown that kids and adults with dyslexia can learn to use the more efficient pathway to read and write, but it takes a very specific methodology called Orton Gillingham (OG for short and more recently referred to as structured literacy).
OG is a methodology utilized by several well researched programs such as The Barton Reading and Spelling System, Wilson Reading System, and Take Flight
You will hear that these programs are explicit. That means that children aren't left to guess at any concept about the written word. They go through everything in great detail and make it logical to the dyslexic brain. Skills must be mastered before new concepts are taught.
You will hear that these programs are structured. That means that those concepts are laid out in a logical way that makes sense. Each program has its own scope and sequence and can use different terminology however, so more than one program must not be used at a time to minimize confusion even though they may both be good OG programs.
These Programs are also intensive, meaning they must be followed with fidelity and ideally done on a one-on-one teacher to student basis and usually have a minimum amount of time required per week of 2 hours. That is part of the conundrum that public schools face in effectively remediating students with dyslexia.
Scientists like Sally Shaywitz (above) can use FMRI to actually see changes in the structure of the brain after using intensive OG (structured literacy) programs.
Due to the nature of dyslexia presenting as mild to profound in individuals, remediation with these programs can take 1.5-4 years and is best to be taught by a certified teacher or tutor.
To check out some of the science on "rewiring" the dyslexic brain to read click on this linkhttps://eastside.jisd.org/apps/video/watch.jsp?v=85868
Comments