Dyslexia is one of the most common learning difficulties and it can affect people in many different ways.
The definition used by the Dyslexia Foundation of NZ is that dyslexia is: “A specific learning difference which is constitutional in origin and which, for a given level of ability, may cause unexpected difficulties in the acquisition of certain literacy and numeracy skills.” People have described it as if letters jump around the page, others say how tiring it is to read. Many assessments that identify difficulties do not use the word ‘dyslexia’. Words like ‘Auditory Processing Disorder’ and ‘Visual Memory Deficit’ are diagnosing the specific type of dyslexia. It can affect reading, writing, spelling, memory, motor skills and sequencing so it can be difficult to detect and sometimes can be blamed for other behaviour. When you can't do things that others find easy, you start to believe you are stupid or lazy and this leads to low self confidence. The first step to helping someone with dyslexia is to get them to understand that they can succeed with a different approach, learning method or strategy. Here are a few strategies to try, along with more resources to delve into if you have time. |
Quick 3
1Change Font
Use: Arial, Sassoon, Comic Sans
There are many articles around with different fonts to use for Dyslexia. These will work with varying results depending on the person as everyone is different and may have their own preferences, but these are some suggestions for you to try that have been recommended by many of the sites below. |
2Multi-Sensory
Design work to be presented in a range of multi-sensory options such as:
Use pictures, diagrams and charts and use coloured highlighters for emphasis Show don’t tell, for example by using role-plays Use wall displays and images to reinforce information. Multi sensory work means that there are a range of options for students to choose from and they can use their strengths. |
3Instructions
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"Just changing the font has made things so much easier to read. It helps having a bit more space between the lines too."
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"Using mind maps helps me make sense of what I need to do and how it links together."
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"Having printouts of the work and the steps I need to take to do it has been really helpful. I can follow it and make my own notes as it is explained."
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dyslexia_quick_3.pdf | |
File Size: | 201 kb |
File Type: |
Easy 5
1 - Immersive ReaderMicrosoft's Immersive Reader is available in One Note, Word, Outlook, Office Lens and Microsoft Teams.
When selected the Immersive Reader fills the entire screen with the text. The text is highlighted as it is read aloud. You can change the background color, text size, and font. There is also the ability to highlight nouns, verbs, and adjectives in different colours or even break up words into syllables to support reading. Let them use this to have tests read to them as well. Try it out Click here to learn more and download the add-on to OneNote. 3 - ColourAvoid black text on white background – buff or coloured paper is easier to read.
Change the colour of the writing can also help. Research has shown that 20% of dyslexics can benefit from coloured lenses or overlays. However, different children may need different colours and may require a different colour for each eye. https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/2020/06/a-rose-tinted-cure-the-myth-of-coloured-overlays-and-dyslexia/ 5 - Use your phoneOur cell phones have built in Accessibility Apps that we can use every day. Get to know what is on your phone! iOs Speak Selection lets you select blocks of text to be read aloud Speak Screen reads entire pages of text Dictation - Press the microphone button on the bottom-left of the onscreen keyboard Distracted? Use Safari Reader, press the paragraph symbol (¶) in the upper-left corner of the browser. Android Talkback can read aloud text from websites, email Dictation - press the microphone button in the onscreen Google keyboard, it also has word prediction. Distracted? Use Interaction - you can disable certain app features And don't forget to use built in Calendars to keep organised.
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2 - Voice TypingGoogle docs
Open a Google Document. Go to Tools > Voice Typing. Click on the microphone when you are ready to type. Microsoft Word Open a Word Document. Go to Home > Dictate. Click on the microphone when you are ready to type. Voice in Voice Typing - Chrome Extension This extension enables you to use voice typing in any text box on any website. If you have a survey to do, or forms to fill out, this is a great extension for Chrome users. 4 - Planning ToolsUse PMI planning tables - Plus, Minus, Interesting
Use mind maps for ideas "When you wrote the words on the board in black I found it really hard to read but when you wrote words using bold colors separating each part of the word with different colors it was so much easier."
"I love being able to use the Immersive Reader - it really helps me focus and I can change the colour to one that makes it easier to read." "Giving her the tools and strategies that she can use at school, and at home has meant she feels more confident." |
Dive in
These are some websites that I have found useful over my years of teaching. If you have others to add, please let me know!
4D is for Dyslexia - A guide for New Zealand Schools
The New Zealand Dyslexia Handbook
History of Dyslexia
Learning Ally - Dyslexia Resources
Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand
Good fonts for Dyslexia
TKI - Dyslexia
Resources for parents and teachers - Nessy.com
Assistive Technology - Understood
Video about a boy with Dyslexia
4D is for Dyslexia - A guide for New Zealand Schools
The New Zealand Dyslexia Handbook
History of Dyslexia
Learning Ally - Dyslexia Resources
Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand
Good fonts for Dyslexia
TKI - Dyslexia
Resources for parents and teachers - Nessy.com
Assistive Technology - Understood
Video about a boy with Dyslexia