How to help reading problems for those with dyslexia?

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Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)
What is Dyslexia?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Clinical Trials
Organizations
Related NINDS Publications and Information

What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a brain-based type of learning disability that specifically impairs a person's ability to read. These individuals typically read at levels significantly lower than expected despite having normal intelligence. Although the disorder varies from person to person, common characteristics among people with dyslexia are difficulty with spelling, phonological processing (the manipulation of sounds), and/or rapid visual-verbal responding. In adults, dyslexia usually occurs after a brain injury or in the context of dementia. It can also be inherited in some families, and recent studies have identified a number of genes that may predispose an individual to developing dyslexia. Is there any treatment?

The main focus of treatment should be on the specific learning problems of affected individuals. The usual course is to modify teaching methods and the educational environment to meet the specific needs of the individual with dyslexia. What is the prognosis?

For those with dyslexia, the prognosis is mixed. The disability affects such a wide range of people and produces such different symptoms and varying degrees of severity that predictions are hard to make. The prognosis is generally good, however, for individuals whose dyslexia is identified early, who have supportive family and friends and a strong self-image, and who are involved in a proper remediation program. What research is being done?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) support dyslexia research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Current research avenues focus on developing techniques to diagnose and treat dyslexia and other learning disabilities, increasing the understanding of the biological basis of learning disabilities, and exploring the relationship between neurophysiological processes and cognitive functions with regard to reading ability. NIH Patient Recruitment for Dyslexia Clinical Trials

• At NIH Clinical Center
• Throughout the U.S. and Worldwide

Organizations

International Dyslexia Associationinfo@interdys.orghttp://www.interdys.orgLearning Disabilities Association of Americainfo@ldaamerica.orghttp://www.ldaamerica.orgNational Center for Learning Disabilitieshttp://www.ld.orgNational Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)http://www.nichd.nih.govNational Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)nimhinfo@nih.govhttp://www.nimh.nih.gov

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Related NINDS Publications and Information

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  NINDS Learning Disabilities Information Page
  Learning disabilities information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Prepared by:
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NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

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Last updated March 12, 2009

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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I think you need to try Ghotit (www.Ghotit.com) and WordTalk together they are a great combination that help people with dyslexia please read Ira Socol blog:
http://speedchange.blogspot.com/2009/03/word-accessible-wordtalk-and-ghotit.html

A friend of mine is dyslexic, disgraphic and discalculic.  She flips everything...I tease her and ask if she sees me on my head.  She's a good spirit about it.  Her trick is to put things on a chalkboard in larger letters/numbers so that she has to focus on just one part at a time.  She has told people to help themselves with smaller print to try and use a ruler and block off things...perhaps use one to cover the row above and one the row below...and simply (I know not so simple) work with the person with dyslexia.  I would also suggest getting the books by Henry Winkler...he writes about a child with dyslexia. 

If the person with dyslexia feels dumb, alone or anything...do some research with them on people with dyslexia.  The list is interesting and includes, Henry Winkler, Cher, Bruce Jenner, Bill Cosby's deceased son, Henry Winkler's step-son.  Here's a website with a list

http://www.dyslexiamentor.com/famousdyslexics.php

http://www.xtraordinarypeople.com/celebrity/

And here is a resource center

http://www.dyslexiacenter.org/a/cat_photo_list.shtml

With the right kind of teaching strategies a child who has dyslexia can learn to read and maybe even grow to love reading!

Try to allow the dyslexic child to developing confidence and self esteem when reading. Introduce new words slowly and use repetition. The most valuable aid to reading and spelling is to learn the sounds the letters make.

If the child struggles over every word, the contextual meaning will most likely be lost, so keep them reading at their current skill level and don’t push them to a higher level until they are well prepared.

If you have computers in your class, you could use programs that "read" books out loud. Also, if the child has an IPod, you could suggest some level appropriate books to download.

Try to use your school’s resources. The learning specialist usually has lots of to help teach reading to kids who have dyslexia including new ways to remember sounds.