ADVOCATE LIKE A MOTHER: LET’S TALK DYSLEXIA

BY MARIA GIANCOTTI, M.ED - STUDENT ADVOCACY MICHIGAN

UNDERSTANDING DYSLEXIA IS CRUCIAL

for parents navigating their child’s educational journey. Dyslexia is a common and often misunderstood learning disability that primarily affects reading and language processing. These challenges can significantly impact a child’s academic performance. Recognizing the signs of dyslexia and understanding its broader effects on learning is essential for getting the appropriate support. Let’s dive in and explore basic dyslexia facts, how it impacts learning, and what a proper evaluation consists of.

FACTS ABOUT DYSLEXIA:

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that primarily affects reading and language processing which can greatly impact learning. It results from differences in the way the brain processes written and spoken language. Here are some common facts about dyslexia:

• It affects 5-10% of the population.

• The ratio of diagnosis for boys to girls is approximately 2:1, meaning boys are diagnosed about twice as often as girls.

• Dyslexia tends to run in families and if a parent has dyslexia, their child has a higher likelihood of having it, (40% to 60% heritability).

• Children with dyslexia often perform below grade level in reading leading to lower academic achievement compared to peers.

• Dyslexia can co-occur with other learning difficulties, such as dyscalculia (math-related difficulties) and ADHD. Estimates suggest about 20-60% of children with dyslexia may also have dyscalculia.

• Dyslexia is often identified in early elementary grades (K-3).

• Research shows that early, targeted interventions can significantly improve reading outcomes and help mitigate the impact of dyslexia.

IMPACT OF DYSLEXIA ON LEARNING

Dyslexia primarily affects reading, but its impact can extend beyond literacy to influence various cognitive, educational, and emotional areas. Here’s a broader view of how dyslexia can affect different aspects of life:

• Reading Decoding (breaking down words into their component sounds and blending them into words)

• Reading Fluency (reading speed)

• Word Recognition (difficulty recognizing common words automatically).

• Spelling (inconsistency and struggling with spelling rules)

• Writing (organization, grammar, punctuation)

• Reading comprehension (understanding/remembering what has been read, following multi-step instructions or making inferences)

• Phonemic Awareness (identifying/manipulating individual sounds in words)

• Memory and Learning (holding and manipulating information, remembering spelling patterns, vocabulary, information presented through reading)

• Meeting Grade Level Expectations (difficulty keeping up with gradelevel reading, writing tasks)

Many of these challenges can have a negative impact on self esteem and motivation as well. Struggles with reading can lead to frustration, low selfesteem, and a negative attitude towards school and learning. Lack of confidence in reading abilities can reduce motivation and engagement in academic activities.

PROPER EVALUATIONS FOR DYSLEXIA

A comprehensive evaluation is required to determine if dyslexia is present. The assessment should include multiple aspects of cognitive and academic functioning. While a school cannot make a diagnosis, they can identify key areas of deficits relevant to dyslexia that can lead to an IEP and proper support at school.

The following areas should be evaluated when dyslexia is a concern:

1. Reading Skills (decoding, fluency, comprehension, word recognition)

2. Phonological Awareness (phoneme awareness, phonemic segmentation/blending, rhyming, syllable segmentation)

3. Spelling and Writing Skills (spelling accuracy, writing fluency, writing organization)

4. Cognitive and Intellectual Functioning (rule out other impairments, determine intellectual potential, assess working memory/processing speed)

5. Language Skills (expressive/ receptive language)

6. Academic Achievement (current academic performance)

7. Behavioral and Emotional Factors (school observations/feedback)

8. Medical and Developmental History (relevant health issues, developmental history)

9. Educational History (input from teachers/parents)

10. Family History (genetic factors/family history of reading difficulties/dyslexia)

Dyslexia can present unique challenges in learning not limited to reading. Understanding the signs of dyslexia and getting a proper evaluation are key in supporting your child. The earlier deficits are identified, and interventions are implemented, the better the outcomes. Don’t delay getting help. Now is the time to advocate for your child! If you need advocacy support, reach out to Student Advocacy Michigan today at 248-372-9770. Also check out our blog post “Revolutionize Your Child’s Dyslexia Accommodations” for great accommodation ideas on our website at www.studentadvocacymi.com.