Dyslexia is a learning disability that causes an
individual to struggle with reading and writing. It can
also affect other areas of a person's life: focus,
memory skills, and organization. When you
understand how to teach a dyslexic child, you can
help build their self-awareness as well as their
cognitive skills by using teaching methods with a
multi-sensory approach. This will help them not only
in the classroom, but for the rest of their lives.
1.
Utilize a multi-sensory approach to
teaching. Multi-sensory teaching involves many
senses at the same time: touch, sight, movement,
and sound. Though this is extremely helpful for a
dyslexic child, all students can benefit from
this.Write note cards. This provides something
tangible for students to look at while also giving
them something to hold. Having them read the note
card out loud also engages their motor and auditory
skills
Make sand trays. Sand trays are simply tray-like
containers that contain sand (or beans or shaving
cream). Students can use these to spell words or draw
pictures in the sand. This engages their sense of touch.
Incorporate fun activities into their learning time.
Games and other creative activities get the dyslexic
child more involved in the learning process. This
makes learning more fun and rewarding, as it gives
them a sense of accomplishment.
Use color intentionally. Visual cues help individuals
with dyslexia to understand written material. Use
color on the blackboard or marker board. Write
decimals in math problems in a different color. Grade
in a color other than red, as red carries a universally
negative connotation.
2.
Use time wisely. Dyslexic children often struggle
with focusing. Other things may distract them, or
they may have a hard time listening to a long lecture
or watching a lengthy video. Dyslexic children may
also struggle with short-term memory, making it
difficult for them to take notes or understand simple
instructions.
Take your time. Do not rush through a class lecture.
Give students time to copy anything written on the
board. Make sure dyslexic students understand you
before moving on to another section.
Repeat yourself often. Since dyslexic children may
struggle with short-term memory, it is challenging
for them to remember what you say. Repeat
instructions, key words, and concepts so students
are more likely to remember what you say, at least
long enough to write it down.
Incorporate short breaks regularly. A dyslexic child
often struggles to sit for long periods of time. Take
short breaks throughout the day to divide long
lectures. You can also move from activity to activity.
For example, lecture, game, back to lecture, followed
by a learning activity.
Use appropriate time limits. It takes dyslexic children
longer to complete assignments other students may
have no problem completing. Allow dyslexic students
more time to take exams and quizzes and to
complete homework so they do not feel rushed.
3
Provide handouts. Again, since dyslexic children
struggle with short-term memory, providing them
with some sort of outline as you are lecturing is
helpful, especially following long lectures. Write
homework instructions directly on the assignment so
they know what is expected. Use visual cues, such
as asterisks and bullets, to highlight important
directives or information. It is also beneficial to let
them use reference guides such as alphabet and
numbers.
4
Model organizational structures. Help individuals
with dyslexia to develop organizational skills that will
benefit them for the rest of their lives. Model these
in your classroom, but also encourage them to apply
them at home.
Use folders to separate different classes or class
topics. This makes homework assignments and
handouts easier to find. Color-code these if possible.
Stick to a daily routine. Schedules help dyslexic
children know what to expect and what is coming up
next. If possible, post your routine, using both words
and images, on a classroom wall for students to refer
to.
Encourage dyslexic children to use an assignment
book or calendar. Have them write daily assignments
in their assignment book. Check these before they
leave school to ensure they understand the
directions.
5
Utilize other resources. Do not feel like you are
the only teacher for a dyslexic student. There are
several resources available to help dyslexic children
learn.
Encourage peer tutoring. Peer resources and social
support are probably one of the strongest resources
you can offer. Students can read aloud to each other,
review notes, or conduct lab experiments together.
Bring a specialist into the classroom. This helps
prevent the dyslexic child from feeling different and
benefits the other students as well.
Utilize appropriate technology. Games, word
processors, voice activated software, and digital
voice recording can all be very useful for a child with
dyslexia.
Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Teach-a-Dyslexic-Child

How to teach a dyslexic child

  • 1.
    Dyslexia is alearning disability that causes an individual to struggle with reading and writing. It can also affect other areas of a person's life: focus, memory skills, and organization. When you understand how to teach a dyslexic child, you can help build their self-awareness as well as their cognitive skills by using teaching methods with a multi-sensory approach. This will help them not only in the classroom, but for the rest of their lives.
  • 2.
    1. Utilize a multi-sensoryapproach to teaching. Multi-sensory teaching involves many senses at the same time: touch, sight, movement, and sound. Though this is extremely helpful for a dyslexic child, all students can benefit from this.Write note cards. This provides something tangible for students to look at while also giving them something to hold. Having them read the note card out loud also engages their motor and auditory skills
  • 3.
    Make sand trays.Sand trays are simply tray-like containers that contain sand (or beans or shaving cream). Students can use these to spell words or draw pictures in the sand. This engages their sense of touch.
  • 4.
    Incorporate fun activitiesinto their learning time. Games and other creative activities get the dyslexic child more involved in the learning process. This makes learning more fun and rewarding, as it gives them a sense of accomplishment.
  • 5.
    Use color intentionally.Visual cues help individuals with dyslexia to understand written material. Use color on the blackboard or marker board. Write decimals in math problems in a different color. Grade in a color other than red, as red carries a universally negative connotation.
  • 6.
    2. Use time wisely.Dyslexic children often struggle with focusing. Other things may distract them, or they may have a hard time listening to a long lecture or watching a lengthy video. Dyslexic children may also struggle with short-term memory, making it difficult for them to take notes or understand simple instructions.
  • 7.
    Take your time.Do not rush through a class lecture. Give students time to copy anything written on the board. Make sure dyslexic students understand you before moving on to another section.
  • 8.
    Repeat yourself often.Since dyslexic children may struggle with short-term memory, it is challenging for them to remember what you say. Repeat instructions, key words, and concepts so students are more likely to remember what you say, at least long enough to write it down.
  • 9.
    Incorporate short breaksregularly. A dyslexic child often struggles to sit for long periods of time. Take short breaks throughout the day to divide long lectures. You can also move from activity to activity. For example, lecture, game, back to lecture, followed by a learning activity.
  • 10.
    Use appropriate timelimits. It takes dyslexic children longer to complete assignments other students may have no problem completing. Allow dyslexic students more time to take exams and quizzes and to complete homework so they do not feel rushed.
  • 11.
    3 Provide handouts. Again,since dyslexic children struggle with short-term memory, providing them with some sort of outline as you are lecturing is helpful, especially following long lectures. Write homework instructions directly on the assignment so they know what is expected. Use visual cues, such as asterisks and bullets, to highlight important directives or information. It is also beneficial to let them use reference guides such as alphabet and numbers.
  • 12.
    4 Model organizational structures.Help individuals with dyslexia to develop organizational skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Model these in your classroom, but also encourage them to apply them at home.
  • 13.
    Use folders toseparate different classes or class topics. This makes homework assignments and handouts easier to find. Color-code these if possible.
  • 14.
    Stick to adaily routine. Schedules help dyslexic children know what to expect and what is coming up next. If possible, post your routine, using both words and images, on a classroom wall for students to refer to.
  • 15.
    Encourage dyslexic childrento use an assignment book or calendar. Have them write daily assignments in their assignment book. Check these before they leave school to ensure they understand the directions.
  • 16.
    5 Utilize other resources.Do not feel like you are the only teacher for a dyslexic student. There are several resources available to help dyslexic children learn.
  • 17.
    Encourage peer tutoring.Peer resources and social support are probably one of the strongest resources you can offer. Students can read aloud to each other, review notes, or conduct lab experiments together.
  • 18.
    Bring a specialistinto the classroom. This helps prevent the dyslexic child from feeling different and benefits the other students as well.
  • 19.
    Utilize appropriate technology.Games, word processors, voice activated software, and digital voice recording can all be very useful for a child with dyslexia. Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Teach-a-Dyslexic-Child