EnglishThis is where the problems associated with Dyslexia are the most obvious. Dyslexic students in an english class may tire quickly when reading/writing and may give up entirely when given long text and may struggle with vocabulary when asked to comment on a text.
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MathDyslexic students are often better at math than reading but this is not always the case. Students with dyslexia are strong in spatial awareness, they intuitively know how to manipulate numbers, and can understand complex relationships
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Social StudiesStudents in social studies are asked to name, locate, select, organize, record, interpret, analyze, and evaluate information. These skills have an underpinning that is based in literacy and numeracy- but this does not mean that those students with dyslexia cannot do well.
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ScienceBecause there are so many sub subjects within science the strengths and barriers that dyslexic students can encounter may change depending on the context but there are some common elements that can be considered. Some strengths that dyslexic students can experience within science are:
• Lateral Thinking- unique approaches to problem solving • Can design interesting experiments • Ask insightful questions However students with dyslexia may experience problems in the following areas: • Interpreting information in tables or charts • Labelling diagrams correctly • Writing scientific formulas • May confuse scientific terminology with other meanings (ex. conductor vs. (train) conductor) • Scientific symbols • Locating/selecting/using the right equipment • Reading scales and measurements • Recording data when also asked to do a practical task Teachers can provide support for their students, and much of it is hands on and face to face instruction so as to personally help those who might be struggling. Some suggestions include: • Explain how to read and interpret tables (in context) • Provide tables and charts that are already correctly labeled • Use illustrations to help with terminology • Label equipment with pictures • Actually show and name equipment when giving instructions • Get students to double check each others equipment • Use workstations • Allow students to verbalize their results • Use arrows and prompts to help in reading scales and indicate directions |
ICT and ComputingUsing ICT in a classroom is a huge benefit to those who have dyslexia. As has been indicated in the About Dyslexia section, students with dyslexia often have a hard time moving information from short term memory to long term memory. Using ICT can help boost students confidence by providing them with opportunities to develop strategies that can help compensate for their difficulties. Because students with dyslexia do not have the ability to read and write with the same automaticity that other students do, using technology causes the impacts of this to be less. Students do not get as tired when using it, and their work is often acceptable. A dyslexic students strengths in ICT may include:
• Multi-sensory learning styles and multi-dimentional thinking/perception • Manipulating data • Connection to how a computer works and their own minds (input-processing- output) Though students with dyslexia may perform better on a computer it is not without its downfalls. Students may have problems with: • Choosing the correct spelling from a spell check list • Listening and typing at the same time • ICT vocabulary that are the same as other words in different contexts Teachers may choose to use the following strategies to help their students: • Encourage them to use Google- which can recognize wrong spellings and then provides corrections) • Explain the specialist meaning behind ICT terminology • Make sure that colour/brightness are at the appropriate settings to minimize discomfort |
Home Economics
This is a subject where students with dyslexia often experience success, through teacher demonstration and working with other students. However, students may also have difficulties in home economics, issues may include:
• Poor motor planning and fine control (slow skill growth) • Short term memory problems may cause students to look disorganized and confused • Inability to carry out a task while listening • Confusion with vocabulary • Failure to collect all ingredients/utensils • Forgetting what ingredients have already been added Teachers may help their students handle these potential barriers by: • Colour coding work stations • Introduce flip chart recipes • Visual cues to illustrate instructions • Checklists |
ArtDyslexic students have strongly developed spatial awareness, multiple ways of thinking, and have many visual strengths all of which help them in excelling at art. The barriers that exist for dyslexic students in art are mostly practical. They may not know what equipment to use or have a hard time keeping their space organized. Some students may feel pressure to complete tasks, and may therefore sacrifice the creativity that dyslexic students are known to have, so as to finish assignments. Make sure that enough time is provided. Also, there may be some students that have a weak graphic skills. However, here are some suggestions as to how teachers can help:
• Demonstrate skills and techniques • Have flow charts that show the steps needed to complete a task (break down tasks into small steps) • Keep tasks open-ended • Encourage different approaches • Use ICT for graphic design and writing |
MusicThough accomplishment in music may boost self-esteem for students with dyslexia, there are several hurdles that stand in the way of that musical success. These may include:
• Interpreting musical notation • Visual processing of written music • Fingering and dexterity • Visual distortion due to musical notation • Disorientation due to musical symbols that look like math and visual overloads Dyslexic student do bring a unique set of skills to music as some may be able to hear notes in their heads and predict complex sounds from notation. However, it is the reading aspects of music and the fear of failure that is difficult for dyslexic students. Teachers can support their students by using multi-sensory methods in order to imbed information. Other techniques may include: • Mnemonics/colour coding • Link terminology to common events- diminuendo linked to dimming lights • Peer support groups |
DramaDrama is another subject in which dyslexic students experience a great deal of success. Though they may struggle to work from scripts, understand stage directions and may forget the character they are playing, dyslexic students often have great improvisational skills. Other skills that dyslexic students have in regards to drama are:
• Excellent oral skills • The ability to relate movement to speech • Observant • Vivid imaginations Drama teachers may want to implement some of the following to help support their dyslexic students so that they can succeed: • Large print scripts • Colour code individual parts • Use large prompt cards • Distribute costumes and props at early stages of play development to help with character |
Physical EducationThough it may seem like students with dyslexia may excel at Phys Ed because there is no reading or writing involved, students with dyslexia may experience problems with depth perception, motor coordination, poor balance, and the ability to judge speed and distance. Students with dyslexia may not be able to listen and perform a task at the same time (as is the case with several other hands on subjects) and may misinterpret rules that may apply in more than one sport. Teachers may wish to implement some of the following to aid students that may be struggling:
• Introduce exercises that may help with motor control • Use computer game/simulations to help develop sequencing • Use activities that help develop depth perception • Demonstrations combined with verbal instructions • Create wall displays • Issue pocket-sized reference books It is important to note that students with dyslexia may do very well at particular sports (depending on the person) and may do very well working in smaller groups in comparison to class activities. |
Modern LanguagesLearning a new language is not easy for students that are already struggling to understand their first language. Students with dyslexia will struggle to acquire the proper vocabulary, grammar, creativity (needed to generate a new language), consolidation and performance, and will struggle to learn how to read and say words that follow a different phonetic code than their own. However, language teachers can take advantage of the strategies that dyslexic students already know. These strategies may include over-learning and multisensory practices.
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It is important to note that information found on this page came from one source in particular: Supporting Students with Dyslexia by Moira Thompson.