Dyslexia Program

Willis Independent School District Dyslexia Program

What is Dyslexia? • Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge. Adopted by the IDA Board of Directors, Nov. 12, 2002.

Dyslexia is a specific learning disabilitythat is neurological in origin. • It is not the result of a brain injury or early childhood illness. • It is not a disease ~ there is no “cure”.

It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. • WISD use standardized tests to assess weaknesses in these primarycharacteristicsof dyslexia: • Letter-word identification • Word attack • Reading rate & accuracy • Spelling

These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language… • WISD uses standardized tests and other data to determine if the student has a weakness in the reading component of phonological awareness.

…that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. • WISD uses standardized scores to compare the student’s cognitive abilities with their characteristics of dyslexia scores.

Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge. *Hayes and Ahrens (1988)

A committee of informed educators will make decisions about dyslexia assessment, identification, and placement into the most appropriate educational setting for the student. Parents are invited to attend the committee meetings concerning their child.

Before qualifying a student with an educational diagnosis of dyslexia, the following must be ruled out as the primary cause of any deficits: • Lack of conventional instruction • Lack of experiential background • Irregular attendance • Language differences • Vision and hearing

Students with dyslexia often need special programs to learn to read, write, and spell. Willis ISD provides a structured, systematic curriculum for students identified as having specific characteristics of dyslexia. This is a multi-sensory program, which involves all pathways of learning simultaneously.

Common Myths of Dyslexia • Intelligence and ability to read are related, so if someone doesn’t read well, they can’t be very smart. • Dyslexia makes you see or write letters/numbers backwards. • Dyslexia can be cured or helped by special balancing exercises, glasses with tinted lenses, vision exercises, etc. • Children with dyslexia are just lazy. They should try harder.

What a parent can do at home. • Read to your child • Encourage your child to read at home. Select material that your child can read accurately and fluently. • Establish a regular routine and place for homework. • Keep in regular contact with your child’s teacher, requesting a conference when necessary. • Educate yourself about dyslexia.

Reference Books • Overcoming Dyslexia, A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level ~bySally Shaywitz, M.D. • Dyslexia: Theory & Practice of Instruction ~ by Joanna Kellogg Uhry and Diana Brewster Clark • The Everything Parent Guide to Children With Dyslexia: All You Need to Know to Ensure Your Child’s Success ~by Abigail Marshall

Useful Websites • The International Dyslexia Association • www.interdys.org • Neuhaus Education Center • www.neuhaus.org • Texas Education Agency • www.tea.state.tx.us • Reading Ally • www.learningally.org

Dyslexia Program