dyslexia and dysgraphia for parents - lifelong literacy

© Lyn Stone 2019 www.lifelongliteracy.com

DYSLEXIA AND DYSGRAPHIA for parents

WEBINAR MARCH 2020LYN STONE


Please allow me to introduce myself• Linguist in private practice

• Large percentage of dyslexic students

• Some have a dysgraphia diagnosis too

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Question time• I can answer questions about either condition but…• I can’t answer about specific cases. Here’s why:• Case history is very important.• This includes family history.• This includes any diagnosis.• This includes what kind of teaching the child has had.• It would take me more time than we have to answer

specific case questions accurately.• I don’t want to give you the wrong information.• The International Dyslexia Association is therefore the

best starting point.


This never happens:• “I think there’s something not right here…”

• “Turns out, it was all in my imagination!”


To use or not to use the terms?Problems arise when the terms dyslexia or dysgraphia are used to refer to every struggling or low-progress reader/writer. Reading/writing difficulties are only a possible sign of dyslexia/dysgraphia. High quality early literacy instruction helps to identify and support those with genuine neurologically-based difficulties.


The terms are useful for the following reasons:• Dyslexia is not isolated

to reading: it affects the ability to spell, write and pronounce words.

• Searchable, identifiable succinct

• It has a name that is not ‘lazy, dumb’ etc.

• Growing advocacy movement


Warning signs

A persistent difficulty learning academic skills for at least 6 months despite intervention. In regard to dyslexia the areas of persistent weakness may include:

• Inaccurate and slow reading,• Difficulty with word decoding,• Difficulty with the comprehension of

text,• Difficulty with spelling,• Difficulties with grammar,

punctuation and other writing skills.


Other factors contributing to low progress reading/writingThe difficulties do not occur because of other issues such as:

• intellectual, • hearing, • vision, • mental health,• inadequate instruction.


Myths and factsNeurological: not the eyes, not the ears, not the reflexes, not the digestive system

• Some claims:• excessive screen time• poor diet• low IQ• phonics (!)• not being read to as an infant• a problem with the eyes


Myths and factsDevelopmental:

• Chronic, starting in childhood• Affects one or more major life functions• Isn’t just ‘going to go away’• Isn’t going to be outgrown• A developmental disorder is not a disease to be cured• Its effects can be lessened through high quality

intervention


Myths and factsPervasive:

• Can affect anyone, from any background• No demographic is more prone• But some get better support• Wasn’t always the case...• “…my dyslexia was never treated as a handicap: my

teachers thought I was lazy and dumb, and I couldn’t keep up or fit in.”

Richard Branson


Myths and factsTreatable:

• Early reading instruction must contain well-delivered, systematic synthetic phonics.

• Early screening, diagnosis and expert intervention must be available for those who need support to keep making progress.

• Reasonable classroom accommodations in primary and high school can make a difference.


Myths and facts• Dyslexia exists:• Not a trendy label to

mask a poor work-ethic• Needs to be

acknowledged, diagnosed, assisted

• Faddish remedies and cures are more costly than expert intervention

“There exist highly privileged children in our society who cannot read, or will not read. It’s not difficult to find out why: they have television; they have toys, computer games, personal devices, bikes and all the trappings of a well-off childhood; but they don’t have books. These children often have a reading problem at school that their panic-stricken parents disguise under the socially acceptable label of dyslexia.”

Mem Fox


Myths and facts

• NOT a gift:• Sasha: “My strengths are my own and

not the result of dyslexia.”• Would you deliberately choose it?• Humiliation, frustration,

misunderstanding & struggle• “Out of the box thinkers...good at

design...more creative...” dangerous expectations on people who are already suffering. No evidence for this.


Better to frame it thus:• “You might need to work

quite hard to learn to read and write fast, but it is not impossible, and we’re going to give you all the help you need.

• Luckily you have lots of (insert individual positive traits, such as determination, humour, intelligence, creativity, patience etc.) to help you out with that.”


Do dyslexics require ‘special’ education?• No• Dyslexic or not, the path to fluent reading and writing

follows much the same trajectory from human to human.• The stages on that path are complex and vary in length,

but their order is the same.• Accommodations, howevercan be helpful.


To summariseWhat dyslexia is What dyslexia is NOTneurological, i.e. it exists in brain structures

caused by external factors such as teaching phonics (this claim has been made!)

developmental, i.e. a condition that originates in childhood that has significant negative impact on certain functions

something that will just go away or that the person will ‘grow out of’

pervasive, i.e. it affects people of every socio-economic background

a result of impoverished home circumstances (think Richard Branson)

treatable with evidence based, structured language instruction

curable through diet, brain-based learning programs etc.

real and present in a significant number of people

imaginary and an excuse for bad parenting

difficulty with words reversal of letters, letters swimming around on a page, hearing problems, vision problems

unpleasant for the person with the condition

a gift

responsive to skilled teaching in the five pillars of literacy, just like every other person

needing some kind of ‘special, different, new’ education


Reading is one thing, but writing...• Takes more time to

learn• Requires excellent

input early• Can be affected by

dyslexia and dysgraphia

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What could possibly go wrong?A. Mechanics:

• correct posture• comfortable grip

• motor control

B. Conventions:• letter formation• punctuation• spelling

C. Content:• organization• vocabulary• editing

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Dysgraphia is two things:• Difficulty with transcription

• AND

• Difficulty with text generation (ideation)

• Called “Disorder of Written Expression”


Reasonable adjustments for reading• Only ask the student to read aloud if comfortable.• Allow use of audio books.• Allow use of assistive technology.• Limit amount of reading.


Reasonable adjustments for comprehension• Allow verbal comprehension assessment.• Provide outlines, summaries, vocabulary words and

preview questions.• Reduce the amount that has to be read.


Reasonable adjustments for spelling• Allow use of assistive technology.• Teach the rules and structure of the English language.• Help to compile “key word lists” across all subjects.


Reasonable adjustments for writing• Allow use of assistive

technology.• Allow extra time to complete

writing tasks.• Adjust expectations of volume.• Avoid copying from board.• Give opportunities to express

knowledge verbally.• Give scaffolds and writing

frames.


You are not alone.Seek help from:• Educational psychologists • Speech-language professionals (they can

screen and refer)• Occupational therapists (they can screen

and refer)• Specialist tutors (they can screen and refer)• Dyslexia Support Australia• Code Read Dyslexia Network• The International Dyslexia Association


Who can’t help?• “Brain training” hawkers• Coloured lens/overlay vendors• Behavioural optometrists• “Listening therapy” merchants• Kinesiologists• Chiropractors• Reading Recovery teachers• Dieticians• Anyone who tells you their anecdote about

how they were “cured” by something that wasn’t evidence based instruction


Demand and supplyAs parents, your demand for high quality instruction at primary level is important. This means:

• non-acceptance of snake-oil• non-acceptance of low/no evidence instructional methods• Actively participating in devising effective Individual

Learning Plans• committing to providing assistance in the interim• understanding accommodations and assistive technology

dyslexia and dysgraphia for parents - lifelong literacy

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