20 Ways to support learners with Dyslexia

Remember dyslexia is not just about reading and writing, the following are also signs linked to dyslexia:

1. This young learner can‘t tie their shoe laces

2. This student works for GCHQ 

3. This student finds listening comprehension difficult 

4. This student is often late to class

Dyslexia can be defined as processing difficulties that are neurological in origin, and are  often characterized by difficulties in literacy acquisition and skills.

Executive functions are affected in many SpLDs ( the overlap°:

  • Inhibition
  • Attention
  • Working memory
  • Cognitive flexibility   
  • Organization
  • Problem-solving

The Essential toolkit-

  • Blue tack – can be used as (noiseless!) fidget toy and to stop papaer moving
  • Cardboard windows – to follow text more easily
  • Overlays – help all readers
  • Ring binder – easy sloped desk
  • New board pens & a wiper – make reading off boarde clearer although avoid copying from board

In the Classroom-

  • Wall displays – keep out of vision, put on back wall
  • Lights and lamps – if possible a couple of lamps
  • Seating- studies suggest forward facing, give choice
  • The cupboard – leave books and equipment here to help organisation
  • Word mats & posters – of common words

The Lesson Plan-

  • Overlearning
  • Memory games – are difficult, scaffold
  • Reading and Listening comprehensions – split texts and insert questions
  • Oral presentations – help scaffold notes – mindmaps, sentence starters….

The Worksheet-

  • Think about font
  • Make sure the writing is large enough – use 12-14 point
  • Have a space between letters of around 35% of letter width, (n o t t o o m u c h s p a c e b e t w e e n l e t t e r s )
  •  Inter-word spacing  should  be   3.5  times  bigger   than  the   spaces between    words
  •  Use bold to make words and titles stand out
  •  DON’T USE CAPIATLS FOR LONG TEXTS
  • The British Dyslexia Association recommends a line length of 60-70 characters
  • Avoid multiple columns
  • Align the text to the left 
  •  Break up long texts with spaces between paragraphs and section headings
  • Put in online/send in changeable format

During the Lesson-

  • Routines – are soothing
  • Offer a chance for success – by avoiding cold-calling
  • Be open about SpLDs
  • Use the tech – offer students possibility to use reading and dictating apps
  • Give them a break! – remember everyone can have a bad day – especially when learning involves an extra invisible mental charge!