This document provides strategies for teaching students with dyslexia. It begins by defining dyslexia and discussing how it is diagnosed. Common co-occurring conditions are also identified. The document emphasizes the importance of explicit phonics instruction, developing phonological awareness, and using structured phonics readers. A variety of classroom accommodations and interventions are recommended for primary students with dyslexia, including systematic, multisensory instruction in letter-sound relationships, blending, and sight words.

1. Best Practice
Strategies for
Teaching Students
with Dyslexia
Benita Ranzon
DECD Senior Psychologist
BA(Soc Sci), BA(Hons)Psych,
B.Ed. (Middle/Secondary)
benita.ranzon@sa.gov.au

2. What is dyslexia?
(International Dyslexia Association, 2002)
 Inaccurate and/or
slow word recognition and
decoding, and poor spelling abilities.
 A deficit in the phonological component of language
despite adequate cognitive abilities and effective
classroom instruction.
 Secondary consequences - reduced reading
experience can affect growth of vocabulary and
general knowledge, and may affect comprehension
in some students.

3. What is it like to have dyslexia?
How does it feel? Tim’s story

4. How is Dyslexia diagnosed?
1. A cognitive test. Dyslexic students commonly
show deficits in working memory and/or
processing speed.
2. Tests of phonological knowledge and word
attack skills
(segmentation and
blending), and sometimes
rapid automatic naming.
3. Tests of reading and
spelling accuracy.
4. Test of reading comprehension.

5. Co-Occurring Conditions
Students can have more than one difficulty at once.
Disorders most commonly co-occurring with dyslexia:
 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
 Auditory Processing Disorder
 Dysgraphia
ADHD and APD may also be confused with dyslexia due
to working memory component.
Students with dyslexia can also have high intellectual
ability in some or all cognitive areas (ie. giftedness).

6. The all-pervasive effects of working memory deficits
There are two main components to WM:
 Capacity (size of memory) – Digit Span
 Working memory (holding and using)
The lower the scores on WM subtests, the bigger the impact, but an
issue for most dyslexic students to some degree.
 Written expression – quantity, sentence structure, sequencing.
 Copying from the board
 Organisation and time management
 Retention and recall, eg:
 verbal instructions
 information in oral recounting
 content when reading
 phonics and spelling rules
 maths facts and processes
 Information in tests

7. Lack of Effort or Lack of Skills?
- Don’t assume, ask questions!
 Didn’t follow an instruction – “Can you tell me in
your own words what you need to do?”
 Wrote very little on the topic – “How did you go
thinking of ideas to write about?”, “Can you tell me
how you planned what you were going to write?”
 Had lots of errors in the finished assignment –
“Can you tell me how you went about proof-reading
your work and correcting errors?”

8. Myth #1: Dyslexia does not exist / all
students benefit from the same strategies
Fact: There has been over 30 years of documented,
scientific evidence and research proving the existence of
dyslexia. It is one of the most common learning
disabilities to affect children.
Students with dyslexia need a very specific kind of
remedial instruction, and often do not respond to the
programs offered in schools (Reading Recovery, Leveled
Literacy Intervention (LLI), Guided Reading, Accelerated
Literacy).
Read: ‘Overcoming Dyslexia’ by Dr Sally Shaywitz

9. Myth #2: It’s a boy thing.
Fact: Boys with dyslexia are more frequently
identified in schools. But dyslexia affects both
genders in nearly equal numbers. Researchers
found that girls tend to quietly muddle through,
while boys more often act out their frustrations.
Boys’ behavioral difficulties draw the teacher’s
attention to them.

10. Myth #3: If students don’t reverse
letters it’s not dyslexia.
Fact: Dyslexia makes it challenging to break
down words. Symptoms sometimes include
flipping letters around. But reversing letters isn’t
always a sign of dyslexia. Young kids who don’t
have dyslexia often do this too. Many students
with dyslexia do not reverse letters or read
words backwards.

11. Myth #4: If the parents spent more time
with their child on reading and spelling,
he/she would quickly catch up.
Fact: Children with dyslexia process literacy
information differently, and do not catch up
simply by doing the teacher-recommended
amounts of reading and spelling practice. And
many families of dyslexic children spend far
more time on homework than expected.

12. Myth #5: Dyslexia can’t be diagnosed
before 8 years.
Fact: Psychologists with extensive experience in
diagnosis can identify dyslexia much earlier.
 a family history of dyslexia
 difficulties in phonological awareness.
 Slower than expected reading and spelling
progress despite good teaching.
But need evidence of exposure to good teaching
methods and regular attendance.
The sooner a diagnosis is made, the quicker
the child can get help.

13. Myth #6 Reading more will improve a
dyslexic child’s spelling
Fact: Dyslexic students do not pick up spelling by
seeing words spelled correctly. They need to be
specifically taught the spelling of words in order to
improve their spelling.
Words need to be taught using phonics, spelling
rules, and whole word spelling of irregular words.
Lots of repetition and revision are needed to
retain them.

14. Myth #7: It will help a dyslexic student to
repeat a year level.
Fact: Dyslexic students are smart, and can
intellectually handle the curriculum at their year level.
Dyslexia is a lifelong disability, and many students with
the disorder never catch up with their peers in literacy
skills.
There is rarely any benefit in repeating a year, and it
can do damage to self-esteem and friendships. These
students need strategies in place to accommodate
their difficulties with reading and writing at their year
level.

15. Myth #8: Classroom accommodations are
a crutch, and the student will become
lazy.
Fact: Accommodations are an attempt to level
the playing field. Fair doesn't mean everyone
gets the same thing; fair means everyone gets
what he or she needs to be successful (eg. use
of a computer and spell-checker, extra time on
a test).

16. Myth #9: Only children with an NEP can get
learning support
Fact: Teachers can give classroom
accommodations to any student, regardless of
whether that student has an NEP or not. Most
classroom accommodations do not cost anything.

17. Myth #10: There is not enough money in the
school budget to pay for support.
Fact: Each school is given specific funding in
their RES for students with learning difficulties. It
is up to the school to decide how the money is
used.
The Disability Discrimination Act covers students
with dyslexia (DDA 1992, Section F), and
requires schools to provide adequate
remediation and support.

18. What interventions are needed?
 Students with dyslexia are like
snowflakes – so each needs an
individual plan.
 Remedial instruction.
 Accommodations.
 Develop independence.
 There is no one off-the-shelf
program that will fix dyslexia.
Teacher training is more important than investing
school resources in one big program.
 Dyslexia is a lifelong disability needing a big picture
plan by the school, as well as a year-by-year plan
with the teacher.

19. Family Context Impacts on Interventions Chosen
 Resources can be emotional, financial,
interpersonal, educational.
 Teachers can work collaboratively
with both groups with high motivation,
regardless of resources.
 High resources and low motivation –
families often willing to pay for private
services.
 Low resources and low motivation –
families have limited capacity to work
collaboratively with the teacher to support
their child’s learning. Intervention needs to be
done at school.
High
Resources
High
Motivation
High
Resources
Low
Motivation
Low
Resources
High
Motivation
Low
Resources
Low
Motivation

20. Interventions in Junior Primary
Explicit Instruction
 ‘Practice makes permanent’
 Phonological awareness –
Ability to hear rhyme, segment sounds
in words (cat = c-a-t), and play with
sounds in words (say ‘nest’ without ‘s’).
 Systematic phonics based (Jolly Phonics, Word Shark).
 Lots of handwriting practice. Use grotto grip. Apps that
teach formation.
 Mastery-based approach – success on multiple
occasions, slow increase in difficulty level.
 Phonics readers: Dandelion, SPELD free readers.

21. JP Phonological Awareness
Activities
 Say words and get students to identify
specific sounds (beginning, middle, end).
 Practice hearing and writing the sounds
in words using both real and nonsense words
(eg. –ot and –ag words (hot, pot, tot, lot / bag, sag, lag,
tag).
Teach the student how to write the focus sounds first,
then read out a jumbled list of these words and ask the
student to write them down.
 Practice sound segmentation with 3 then 4 letter
words (see example over).

22. Example sound segmentation activity
Stretch out the words then write the letters in
the boxes.

23. Explicit Instruction in Sound Blending
Just because students can say the individual letter
sounds in a word, does not mean they will be able to
blend them to decode the word.
 Teach students how to slide the sounds together.
 Repeat sounds several times at increasing speed.
This is essential in order to keep sounds in memory.
 ‘Slippery dip’ analogy.
 www.readingrockets.org/strategies/blending_games

24. Phonics Readers
 Children with dyslexia struggle to
spot the patterns in words. They
may decode a word on one line,
and then not recognise it on the
next line.
 Readers that structure the
introduction of sounds help teach
that pattern recognition.
 All struggling readers should be
swapped to phonics readers as
soon as difficulties are spotted.
 This can be done at no cost.

25. Dandelion Phonics
Readers
• Dandelion Launchers
• Dandelion Readers
• Catch-up Readers for
older students (eg. Alba,
Totem, Talisman series)

26. Fitzroy Phonics Readers
Each story features:
 a specific sound (e.g. oy)
 a few sight words (e.g. said)
 a revision word list
 an extension word list.
Many schools have at least
one set of Fitzroy readers,
often kept with the special
education resources.

27. SPELD SA Free Phonics
Readers
 Use the Jolly Phonics
teaching order
 Can be used on iPad
 Are free!
 Currently 187 phonic
books and 128 sets of
worksheets to
complement the books.

28. How to use Phonics Readers
 First teach the focus sound
explicitly (eg. using Jolly
Phonics).
 Select the phonics reader
that covers that sound.
 Get the student to first
separately practice
recognition of the sight
words in the reader.
 Get the student to read the
reader several times over a
week until she/he can read
it fluently.
 Link the reader to spelling
activities, such as tracing
or writing the words in the
reader, and building words
using plastic letters.

29. More Useful Phonics Activities
 Practice with sound flash cards.
 Build words using letter cards
(starting with cvc, then blends). Start
with only the letters the student needs,
then add in
letters very different in look
and sound, then letters that are
similar in sound (d/t, s/f).
 Computer programs – Word Shark,
Reading Eggs.
 Group programs for JP – Jolly
Phonics, Jolly Grammar

30. Sound and Rule Flash Cards
 Make cards as sounds are taught. Link to a trigger word (eg. ship
‘sh’).
 Make cards for phonics rules (eg. bossy ‘e’). Put a prompt on the
front and the full rule on the back.
 Where possible, cards should travel between home and school.
But either way, they should be practiced daily.
 Keep cards in until the student is automatic in recalling them,
and can apply them to reading and spelling.
 Practice them in the morning with a small group. Boys are often
keen to compete as to who is fastest, and can be asked to pair
up and time each other with the aim of beating their last
personal best. (Remove timing if anxious).
 Prompt students to recall sounds or rules from their cards when
struggling to read or spell words.

31. Examples of Flash Cards (from Hickey Multisensory Program)
Sound Cards
(front and back)
Rule Cards (front
and back)

32. Spelling program structure for
young dyslexic students
 Around 8 – 10 words grouped by
phonic family and 2 – 4 irregular words.
 Don’t move past cvc words until the student is able to
record the sounds just from listening.
 Then, teach words with a single blend. Start with
beginning blends, then end blends. If teaching two at a
time, they should look and sound very different (br-, sc- /
-nk, -st).
 After blends, teach digraphs.
 The sounds in their spelling program should match the
sounds in their reading program.

33. Spelling program (cont.)
 LSCWC practice (5 times for each word, 4 days a
week). Eg. 2x school, 3x home each day.
 Practice in writing the target sound as well as
words with the sound in it. Eg. “write all the ways
you’ve learned to spell ē” (e, ee, ea).
 Avoid traditional ‘spelling contracts’. Activities
should focus purely on learning the phonics and
spelling. Limit the number of activities, as spelling
homework takes dyslexic students much longer.
 Spelling City is great for practice
www.spellingcity.com

34. What if you are using phonics and they are
still not getting it?
The most likely explanations:
 Too many skills at once
(ee, e-e, ea).
 Not long enough on each skill.
 Not incorporating ongoing
revision.
 Not directly practicing the phonics skills in
reading and writing to generalise them as
they are learned.
 Expecting too much too soon. Progress
takes time, lots of time. And lots of effort.

35. Interventions in Junior Primary
 Break up instructions.
 Provide visual cues (eg. ‘bed’ visual
for b and d).
 Modified spelling and reading
program (build from current skills).
 Word banks for writing.
 No copying from the board.
 Extra time for tasks.
 Provide alternative formats, eg. dictate to a scribe, voice
record, create a comic strip, type on computer, assistive
apps (Clicker Sentences, Clicker Docs).
Accommodations

36. Custom Soundboard and Voice
Memo Recorder
by Tomato Interactive LLC
Create numbered voice
recordings.
 Can be used by the teacher for
task instructions, test questions,
etc.
 Can be used by students for
recording spelling words and
testing themselves.

37. Alternative formats
Book Creator
(can add voice clips)
Comic strips
(Google ‘blank
comic strips’)

38.  Some remedial
instruction may still
needed.
 More focus on
accommodations.
 Access to assistive
technology.
 Explicitly teach skills for
independence in high
school, eg:
 planning
 written expression
(structure, sequence,
sentence structure)
 editing/proof-reading
 organisation and time
management
Supports for
Middle Primary to
Secondary
The main goal is to allow
students’ knowledge and
skills to show through
effectively in their work
despite their dyslexia.

39. Reading Supports
 Text-to-Speech (eg. iPad, Word Q, Natural
Reader)
 Easier books on topics (eg. JP non-fiction).
 Rip Rap novels (NZ) from SPELD SA
 Barrington Stoke novels – high interest / low
reading level (ages are based on UK norms, so
add a year).
 Audio books
eg. www.loyalbooks.com

40. Writing Supports
 Provide planning templates, eg. Persuasion Map,
Venn Diagram, Compare-Contrast table, Timeline
(www.readwritethink.org).
 Teach how to create free-form concept maps to
group ideas and develop detail.

41. Eye have a spelling chequer, It came with my Pea
Sea. It plane lee marks four my revue Miss Steaks I
can knot sea.
Eye strike the quays and type a whirred And weight
four it two say Weather eye am write oar wrong It
tells me straight a weigh.
Eye ran this poem threw it, Your shore real glad two
no. Its vary polished in its weigh. My chequer tolled
me sew.
Poem: “I have a spelling checker”

42. Writing Supports (cont.)
 Typing using word prediction software
(Word Q6 UK, Clicker 7). Create topic word banks.
 Dictation software: speakQ, Dragon Naturally Speaking
 Voice recording: voice clips in PowerPoint, oral essay
using Audacity free software.
 Structured proof-reading approach
(use a checklist!).
 Proof-read with text-to-speech (eg. Word Q).
 Feedback on drafts (dot points to
aid memory).
 Mark content not spelling.
 No copying from the board – student takes
photo, teacher provides notes.

43. iPad Supports
 Turn on ‘speak selection’ in the Accessibility
settings, You can slow the speech rate.
 Turn off ‘auto correction’ in keyboard settings.
 Concept mapping – iThoughtsHD app
 Word prediction apps
(iWordQ UK,
WriteOnline)

44. Time Management/Organisation Skills
 Visual cues (checklist,
timer).
 Break larger tasks down, set
mini deadlines.
 Teach student to plan time
in diary for each step.
 Reduce distractions (seating
location/direction, ear plugs
etc).
 Homework/assignment info
accessible from home.
 Compendium folder.
 Colour-code subject materials.
 Teach and reward the effective
use of a diary (paper or
electronic).

45. Maths
Some students with dyslexia have problems with
the memorisation and mental calculation aspects
of maths (the lower the Working Memory score,
the more likely).
They need:
 Connections to real life
 Experiential activities (hands-on)
 Extra time to practice (don’t move on too
quickly)
 Homework practice is essential!
 Regularly re-visit concepts (eg. one night a
week for revision).

46. Maths (cont.)
 Create cue cards for
process steps.
 Explicitly teach how to
convert word problems
into sums and work them out using the
HTU method.
 Encourage the use of working out
paper - students with a memory
weakness are inaccurate with mental
calculations.

47. Final thoughts…
 Students with dyslexia are bright and capable in a wide
range of areas.
 Students with dyslexia need teachers to make adjustments
and provide support in order to achieve their potential.
 Students with dyslexia have difficulties with memory, which
can make them forgetful and disorganised. There is no cure
for a weak memory. They need to be taught good habits
and strategies to manage this.
 It is important to show dyslexic students that you see their
strengths and that you are there to support them in the
areas they struggle. They need to trust their teachers in
order to show what they are capable of.

48. Degrees of Severity (Junior Primary)
Mild Dyslexia Moderate Dyslexia Severe Dyslexia
• Slow to learn
individual letter
sounds and
formation, and very
slow to learn
phonograms.
• Often resistant to
practicing reading.
• Relies on sounding
out, and lots of
guessing.
• Confidence affected.
• Still struggling to
recognise basic
sight words (is,
and, go).
• Spelling still not
capturing all
sounds (van/vnt).
• Very poor retention
of irregular words.
• Lots of negative
self-talk – “I’m
dumb”.
• Cannot retain
letter-sound
relationships,
cannot write all of
alphabet.
• As a result, not yet
able to read or
write
independently.
• Significant issues
with learning
confidence and
self-esteem

49. Degrees of Severity (Middle/Upper Primary)
Mild Moderate Severe
• Cannot read same
books as friends,
chooses easier books
and still lacks fluency,
but gets by in class
(eg. worksheets).
• Written work tends to
be brief. Lots of
spelling errors with
basic words. Prefers
to type work rather
than handwrite.
• Reading 2 or more
years below age.
• Can’t read curriculum
materials accurately
(worksheets, etc).
• Spelling highly
phonetic.
• Not able to copy info or
homework instructions
reliably.
• Not independent in
completing written
work.
• Can read very
simple text only.
• Reliant on sounding
out each word;
reading lacks
fluency. Poor
comprehension.
• Very poor whole
word recognition.
• Very poor spelling,
bigger words not
spelled phonetically.
Writing not legible.

50. What to expect in class…
Junior Primary Middle Primary Upper Primary
Slow to learn letter-
sound relationships
and letter formation
Slow and inaccurate reader Slow and inaccurate reader
Good oral vocabulary If not a keen reader,
vocabulary may start to
weaken
May have a weak vocabulary
affecting comprehension and
written expression
Difficulty writing
independently
Writing lacks detail and
complexity
Difficulty structuring written
work, low on detail, simple
sentences and vocabulary.
Difficulty capturing and
sequencing sounds in
spelling
Difficulty with remembering
spelling patterns and
irregular words, and with
grammar and punctuation.
Many errors in written work,
including spelling, grammar,
and punctuation.

51. What to expect(cont.)…
Junior Primary Middle Primary Upper Primary
Difficulty counting
without visuals (fingers,
counters)
Difficulty retaining
number facts
Poor number fact and times
table recall
Often good at hands-on
maths and real world
problem-solving. Works
well in a group.
Slow to grasp new
learning, and forgetful of
learned processes and
concepts.
Gaps in math knowledge
affect the ability to build on
new knowledge and skills.
Often appears confused.
Difficulty retaining verbal
instructions – only does
part of what was asked,
does something different
to what was asked,
looks vague and off task.
Difficulty retaining
instructions – asks for
tasks and instructions to
be re-explained and
repeated. Checks what
others are doing and
tries to imitate.
Difficulty retaining verbally
presented information – only
catches part of what is said,
completely forgets what was
said by the next day, needs
extra explanation of tasks.