Dyslexia

1. Using a Structured Literacy Approach

From phonology and the sound-symbol association to syllable instruction and

morphology, certain topics can be challenging for dyslexic students to learn
without additional, targeted support from well-trained teachers or tutors. While
several effective teaching strategies exist, the International Dyslexia Association
recommends a structured literacy approach for educators who are teaching
children with dyslexia. This specific approach includes several topics that are
particularly important for dyslexic learners to master.

Teaching principles that follow a structured literacy approach are

recommended for all lessons. More specifically, teachers who utilize a
structured literacy approach ensure all teaching is systematic and cumulative,
which means dyslexic students can depend on the materials being presented in
a logical order from the most basic concepts to more difficult ideas. By allowing
students to master subjects and gradually build upon the skills they learn,
teachers promote confidence in students’ abilities to learn new topics.
Additionally, a structured literacy approach consists of explicit instruction
where teachers continually interact with students and ensure all educational
concepts are delivered clearly and attainably. Finally, these specific
instructional best practices encourage educators to engage in diagnostic
teaching, which involves continuously adapting lessons to meet the unique
needs of each student.

2. Creating an Inclusive Classroom

Whether teaching a small group of dyslexic students or in a larger general
education classroom, creating an inclusive classroom promotes a healthier,
safer learning environment for all students. Certain elements of inclusive
classrooms, such as sticking to reliable routines and following clear schedules,
are helpful for all students. Multisensory lessons and assistive teaching
technologies can also be helpful for many students, but these accommodations
can play a critical role in dyslexic students finding success in the classroom.
These accommodations and specific teaching strategies for students with
dyslexia are crucial in ensuring they receive adequate time and resources to
learn effectively. Giving dyslexic students time to process information at their
own pace is one of the most helpful elements of an inclusive classroom, as
every dyslexic student masters reading and language skills on a different
timeline. Additionally, not forcing students to read aloud is another critical
component of establishing an inclusive classroom. Children with dyslexia may
be self-conscious about their ability to successfully read aloud in front of a
class, and many everyday classroom activities, such as popcorn reading, can
cause unnecessary stress.

3. Multisensory Learning

Multisensory activities help dyslexic children absorb and process information

in a retainable manner and involve using senses like touch and movement
alongside sight and hearing.

They are not only beneficial for dyslexic learners but also the rest of the class.
Engaging in something different and hands-on excites students and heightens
engagement.

Examples of multi sensory activities for the classroom include:

Writing words and sentences with tactile materials,e.g. glitter glue, sand, pasta,
LEGO, or beads.
Physical activities to practice spelling, e.g.hopscotch or jump-rope – the
children spell out words when they jump to each square or over the rope.
Students work in pairs and take turns to dictate words and spell them.
Scavenger hunts for letters and words – split students into teams and give
them a word. Next, write letters onto notes and hide them around the
classroom.The teams must find the letters to construct the assigned word and
then glue them together on a poster by cutting out the letters

4. Helpful Arrangements

Use a cloze procedure.

Give the dyslexic student a sheet containing key information that you’ll be
covering throughout the lesson and blank out key words. The student can then
take notes just like others without the stress of trying to copy everything before
it’swiped off the board. This helps them focus and commit key information to
memory.

Give them plenty of time to complete homework.

If a piece of homework takes a day to complete, distribute it on a Friday so that

the dyslexic child has the whole weekend to work on it.

You could also let their parents know what the homework schedule is for the
month,so they can start looking at certain topics with their child at home in
advance.

Mark based on effort and ideas.

Dyslexic learners may be less skilled than their peers at spelling and grammar.
However,if their thought process and creativity shine through the errors and
it’s clear they’ve made an effort, this should be praised.

Highlight any major spelling errors using a green pen – nothing screams
“WRONG” more than a teacher’s demotivating red pen!

5. Working together with parents

Meet with dyslexic students’ parents regularly to discuss how their child is
doing and the strategies you’ve applied in the classroom. The child’s parents
can also update you on what methods they’ve been using at home and what’s
been successful.
Thisis important because, ultimately, no two dyslexic children are alike and
thereis no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. By sharing knowledge about ongoing
progress, both you and the parents can work together to find learning methods
thats uccessfully aid the dyslexic student’s learning

Dyscalculia
1. Talk or Write Out a Problem
For the dyscalculic student, math concepts are simply abstracts, and numbers
mere marks on a page. Talking through a problem or writing it down in
sentence form can help with seeing relationships between the elements. Even
restating word problems in a new way can help with organizing information
and seeing solutions.

2. Draw the Problem

Drawing the problem can also help visual learners to see relationships and
understand concepts. Students can “draw through” the problem with images
that reflect their understanding of the problem and show ways to solve it.

3. Break Tasks Down into Subsets

Dyscalculic students can easily get overwhelmed by a complex problem or
concept, especially if it builds on prior knowledge — which they may not have
retained. Separating a problem into its component parts and working through
them one at a time can help students focus, see connections and avoid
overload.

4. Use “Real-Life” Cues and Physical Objects

Relating math to the practicalities of daily life can help dyscalculic students
make sense of concepts and see the relationships between numbers. Props like
measuring cups, rulers and countable objects that students can manipulate
can make math concepts less abstract.

5. Review Often
Because dyscalculic students struggle to retain math-related information, it
becomes hard to master new skills that build on previous lessons. Short,
frequent review sessions — every day, if necessary — help keep information
fresh and applicable to the next new task. Creating written or drawn references
such as cards or diagrams can help with quick reviews.

Like other learning disabilities, dyscalculia affects student success both in and
out of the classroom. Study strategies that bring the abstract world of
mathematics down to earth with visual and verbal cues and physical props can
help dyscalculic students overcome obstacles to making sense of math.

If your child struggles with math or has been diagnosed with dyscalculia,
contact us online or find a center near you to learn more about how the Brain
Balance Program can help.

Dysgraphia
1. Feel the letters.
Taking away one sense experience often heightens the others. Experts advise
trying activities that help your kid focus on feeling—not seeing—how a letter is
made.

For example, use your finger to trace a letter on your child’s back. Or he can
close his eyes while you trace a letter on his palm. Then see if he can reproduce
that letter on your back or on a piece of paper.

You can make things more challenging by writing a capital letter and asking
him to write it as a lowercase one, or vice versa.

2. Write big.
Kids with dysgraphia usually have trouble remembering how to form letters
correctly. One way therapists make the process more memorable is by having
kids write in ways that use large motor movements and multisensory
materials.
At home, young kids can spray big shaving cream letters on the tile wall at
bath time. Or they can smooth out the cream on the tile and write letters in the
foam. They can practice making letters in a plastic tub of damp sand. Adding
sand to finger paint is another way to increase sensory input.

3. Dig into clay.

Clay is a wonderfully versatile medium. It’s dense and responsive. And
mistakes can disappear with just a pinch.

Roll clay into ropes and practice making letters with your child. It builds hand
strength and boosts fine motor skills. And it reinforces the shapes of letters in
his mind, too.

Another option: Smooth a layer of clay on a cookie sheet. Then invite your child
to etch letters into the surface with a pencil. The clay provides sensory
feedback, which gives more information to the brain about how the letters are
formed.

4. Practice pinching.
Holding a pencil properly is a challenge for many kids with writing difficulties.
Your child can strengthen his fingers and improve his “pencil grip” using
“pinching” tools found around the house. These include tweezers, children’s
chopsticks (joined at one end) and ice tongs.

Try this game: Toss pieces of cereal, balled-up scraps of paper or small pencil
erasers onto a tabletop. Then see how many you and your child can pick up
with a pinching tool in a minute.

Another option: Play board games and use pinching tools to move the playing
pieces.

5. Start cross-body training.

For a child to write properly, both sides of his body need to work together: One
arm holds the paper stable. The other does the actual pencil work.

Any activity that encourages coordinated movement on both sides of the body
provides good reinforcement. This includes crafts that use scissors: One hand
holds, the other cuts.

Physical exercises that require cross-body coordination are helpful, too. See if
your child will give windmills, jumping jacks, touching alternate toes, and
mountain climbers a whirl before sitting down to write.

Helping Your Student with Dyslexia Learn: 5 Strategies to Rely On |

Dyslexic.com
5 Strategies for Managing Dyscalculia (brainbalancecenters.com)
8 Expert Tips on Helping Your Child With Dysgraphia | Understood - For learning and thinking
differences