Parent Information on Dyslexia and MSLE

1. Questions to be answered: What is dyslexia? What are the characteristics of dyslexia? What is MSLE? How can a MSLE program help your child? Does my child have to be diagnosed with dyslexia in order to participate in an MSLE program? Parent Information on Dyslexia and MSLE

2. Definition of Dyslexia adopted by ADA • 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.

3. Dyslexia is one of several distinct learning disabilities. It is a specific language based disorder of single word decoding. It reflects insufficient phonological processing abilities. It is unexpected in relation to age and other cognitive & academic abilities. Dyslexia

4. Difficulty with accurate and fluent word recognition Poor spelling skills Poor decoding abilities Misreads common words Reading is “choppy” or hesitant and lacks flow Difficulties with written language Characteristics of Dyslexia

5. Letter or number reversals are the best indicator for dyslexia - False! Eye exercises or colored lenses will cure it - False! Students with dyslexia will outgrow it – False! What it is not: Myths about Dyslexia

6. MSLE: Multisensory Language Education • Components of Instruction • Multisensory • Process – oriented • Systematic, sequential, & cumulative • Meaning – based • Explicit, direct instruction

7. Addresses the Five Essential Components of Reading Instruction • Phonemic Awareness • Integrated into daily lessons • Phonics • Phonics based program • Reading Fluency • Students begin reading words for accuracy and automaticity • Fluency practice is integrated into the program • Vocabulary Development and the implementation of reading comprehension strategies are also integrated into the daily lesson.

8. Daily Direct Instruction • Alphabet skills • Recognition • Sequencing • Alphabetizing Practice • Decoding • Looks at letter and translates it into speech sounds. Links all the letters and sounds in English. • 44 sounds, 26 letters

9. Daily Direct Instruction • Spelling • Links the 44 sounds in English with the letter or letters that represent those sounds. • Direct instruction in spelling rules. • Comprehension skills • Building word knowledge

10. Does my child need a diagnosis of dyslexia in order to participate in an MSLE program? • No, even if your child has never been diagnosed with dyslexia, he or she may be eligible. Children who have the characteristics of dyslexia may be eligible even if not formally diagnosed.

11. Homework & Supplies • RAP pages • Rapid Accurate Practice • 5 minutes • Handwriting • Practice with letter shapes covered in class • Students will need a 1 inch binder in which to keep their materials. All materials have been provided through a program sponsored by the Alabama State Department of Education.

12. Where did we get this program? • Written by the staff at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children • Builds on the success of the Dyslexia Training Program • Supported by research • Training provided by the Shelton School and Evaluation Center of Dallas, Texas • The largest school for students with learning differences in the world • www.shelton.org