4 Things Every Teacher Needs to Know About Dyslexia
I want you to take a second and picture a classroom of students. We’ll say that there are about 25 kids in the class. Did you know that statistically speaking, 5 of the kids you are picturing are dyslexic?
That’s right. Research tells us that 1 in 5 kids are dyslexic.
If you have a class of 25 kids, a handful of them have dyslexia. If you are a parent of a dyslexic child, this means that your son/daughter isn’t alone.
If you are a teacher, that means that every, single day you have the opportunity to serve these kids. Even if you didn’t know it before, a handful of kids in your class are dyslexic. These are the 4 things that every teacher needs to know about dyslexia.
1. Students with dyslexia are not lacking in intelligence.
Studies have shown that people with dyslexia often have average to above-average intelligence. The root of the issues lies in how these students process information – not in their intelligence.
2. Dyslexia is genetic.
Dyslexia is an inherited learning difference. There is a genetic link, even if it wasn’t previously identified. Grandparents may remember that their child didn’t like reading or had a hard time learning how to read. This could be evidence of an undiagnosed case of dyslexia.
3. Students with dyslexia learn differently.
Brain mapping can show the differences between a dyslexic brain and a non-dyslexic brain. Dyslexia stems from physiological differences in the brain circuitry. Students with dyslexia can learn to read with the right instructional methods. Research has shown that when dyslexic students receive explicit, systematic teaching that is multi-sensory, they can learn how to read.
4. Children with dyslexia are not lazy!
The ironic thing is, that these students are working double-time to compensate for their areas of weakness in the classroom. In contrast, they are often working harder than the other students in the class. It is indescribably frustrating for them to work so hard and still fall behind. More than anything, these students need your understanding and support.
Research tells us that 1 in 5 students have dyslexia – either mild, moderate, or profound. If you have students who are struggling, or if you would like to learn more about identifying and supporting dyslexic students in your classroom, we want to help! We have a ton of free content on our site, so be sure to check out our other blogs!
If you are working with students who have dyslexia/struggle to read, we’d love to invite you to download our FREE Science of Reading Blueprint. We believe that EVERY child has the right to effective literacy instruction, so we created this document to help bridge research-based principles and practice. Click below to learn more!