Accommodations suggestions, teaching methods, and other ways to help dyslexia students.

Dyslexia Help for Students

Classroom Facts

  • Illustration of a teacher pointing at a board with letters 'Aa', with two students seated in front, in a gray circle background.

    35% Students Below Basic Reading Level

    In 4th grade, life in the classroom is tough for a student reading below a basic reading level. Although these students are capable of a higher level of reading, they are often overlooked leading to a life long struggle with trying to catch up.

  • Illustration of children holding empty wooden picture frames around their faces, smiles on a gray background.

    Dyslexic Students are in EVERY Class

    The International Dyslexia Association estimates that 15-20% of the population has dyslexia. From those kids reading below basic there are some of those students with what is known a the hidden disability of dyslexia.

  • Illustration of a sad student sitting on the floor with a paper marked with a failing grade, surrounded by books and pens.

    Not Meeting the Students Needs

    Teachers who are unaware of dyslexia and how to accommodate for these students, are not reaching these students talents. Since most dyslexics have a higher IQ, performing at or below reading level is underperforming.

  • Illustration of a teacher sitting with a group of young children, reading a colorful book.

    ALL Students can Benefit

    While all students benefit from systematic, explicit methods in reading and writing from well trained teachers in Literacy Instruction, for students with dyslexia it is VITAL.

Accommodations for Dyslexia at School

  • Students seated in a classroom, one raising their hand, with a teacher standing in front.

    Small Class

    A school environment that consists of small class sizes benefits a dyslexic student. And individual tutoring in Orton Gillingham or other dyslexic specific reading help makes a difference.

  • Teacher writing on a chalkboard while students sit at desks raising their hands in a classroom.

    Presentations

    Altering a presentation allows students to access materials in a way that does not require them to read standard print. Have verbal instructions with repetition, or in audio format. Have it in a larger font size or dyslexic font, and fewer items per page.

  • Sheet music with a red heart cutout placed on it.

    Alternative Format

    Material could be presented in a song or poem to assist with learning facts. Explaining material in various ways to include differences in the way dyslexic students might understand.

  • Assorted colored highlighters including pink, orange, yellow, and green.

    Prompts

    Vary teaching visuals to include prompts such as highlighting text or an arrow pointing on a page to assist students in keeping track of where you are in the material.

  • Green and white calculator with digital display showing numbers

    Assistive Tools

    Allow dyslexic students to use a calculator, software for speech to text and text to speech, electronic dictionary, spelling and grammar check to name a few. This should be allowed for assignments and tests.

  • A woman and a child sitting together, smiling and playing with colorful building blocks indoors.

    Response and Test Options

    Allow students to demonstrate their knowledge in alternative ways. Verbally ask the questions and point to the response choices. Have a scribe to record responses or allow them the type in a response on the computer.

  • Young girl with a pencil thinking while writing on paper

    Adjust Environment

    Allow the student to have a separate space from the other students with reduced visual and auditory distractions.

  • Close-up of an analog clock showing numbers 3, 4, 5, and 6 with a black minute and hour hand.

    Extra Time

    Be flexible with time allotments by breaking sessions into smaller tasks with breaks as well as allowing for extended time.

  • Stack of papers with colorful sticky tabs

    Organization

    Use timers to help your students keep track of time, highlighters to mark text, graph paper for math problems, and color coding to assist with overall organization.