Dyslexia is a reading disorder in which a learner has difficulty recognizing letters and learning letter sounds, despite normal intelligence. It decreases the processing of graphic symbols, especially those related to language. Children who have dyslexia may experience late language development and have problems learning how to write and spell when they enter formal schooling. Symptoms include poor literacy skills, reversed letter and word sequences, and poor handwriting. The good news is that if the student is diagnosed with dyslexia early enough, more than likely, they will learn to read.

Are you an educator or parent searching for accommodations to help students with dyslexia? Well, look no further. Here are some ways that you can make the learning process easier for students with dyslexia.

Classroom Accommodations: To succeed in the classroom, students with dyslexia need access to appropriate supports, including:

• Provide a quiet space to work
• Provide the student with access to high-quality literature in their areas of interest
• In-school tutoring or homework assistance
• Play vocabulary and word games
• Allow extra time on tests
• Utilize unconventional methodologies for developing phonemic awareness
• Teach self-advocacy
• Give visual cues where possible
• Utilize  assistive devices, both low and high tech, to help with writing and reading
• Use a multisensory approach to deliver each lesson
• Post visual schedules and read them to the student
• Provide colored strips or bookmarks
• Use large-print text for worksheets and handouts
• Allow extra time for reading and writing
• Provide the student multiple opportunities to read the same content
• Use reading buddies
• Pre-teach new concepts and words
• Give the student with typed notes or an outline of the lesson to help with taking notes
• Give the student advance organizers to help the student follow along during a lesson
• Provide students with a glossary of content-related terms
• Utilize visual or audio support to help the student understand written materials in the lecture
• Provide step-by-step directions and read written instructions out loud.
• Break down directions using keywords for the most important ideas
• Spotlight keywords and ideas on worksheets for the student to read first
• Frequently check to make sure the student understands and can repeat the directions
• Provide examples of correct and completed work to serve as a model
• Give the student a rubric that describes the elements of a successful assignment
• Break assignments into smaller steps
• Provide self-monitoring checklists and guiding questions for reading comprehension
• Introduce worksheet problems from easiest to hardest
• Assess the student on the content that needs to be mastered
• Allow the student to demonstrate understanding to be demonstrated in different ways
• Allow different ways to respond to test questions, like saying the answers or circling an answer instead of filling in the blank
• Give sentence starters that show how to begin a written response
• Allow extended time for taking tests.
• Maintain a quiet room for taking tests, if needed

At Home Accommodations: Parents can support the work that is being done at school, by providing their children with the following at-home accommodations.

• Provide a quiet place in the house for them to work
• Play vocabulary and word games
• Work with your child on managing time
• Promote self-advocacy
• Provide step-by-step directions and read written instructions out loud
• Break down directions using keywords for the most important ideas
• Utilize assistive devices, both low and high tech, to help with writing and reading
• Help with homework
• Break assignments into smaller steps
• Introduce homework from easiest to hardest
• Be understanding
• Frequently check to make sure your child understands and can repeat the directions