Understanding Dyslexia
Dyslexia is common. It affects approximately 1:10 people. It always influences learning.
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Defining dyslexia
Dyslexia is defined as "a range of persistent difficulties with aspects of reading, writing and spelling" (Ministry of Education).
It is often accompanied by strengths in creativity and big-picture thinking and difficulties with organisation and short term memory.
Dyslexia, so what's it all about?
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Dyslexia is:
- a brain-based issue that makes it hard to learn to read accurately and fluently
- a lifelong condition you don't outgrow dyslexia but with the right support, key skills can improve
- a common learning issue that many successful people have.
Dyslexia is not:
- a problem of intelligence, learners with dyslexia are just as smart as their peers
- a problem of vision - the core issue involves understanding how the sounds in words are represented by letters
- a problem of laziness - learners with dyslexia are already trying hard and usually thrive with specific support in literacy and an inclusively designed learning environment.
Source: Understood
How dyslexia affects learning
Dyslexia can have an impact on many aspects of learning.
It's affects will vary from person to person and is also dependent on the age of the student, the situation, and the person's emotional state.
Dyslexia often has a significant impact on reading, spelling, writing, and sometimes speaking. However when the need to read, write or speak is removed (for example, by using a reader/writer or by working in other modes), students are often capable of achieving in the same way as other students.
Building on strengths in creativity and big-picture thinking can be very beneficial for student's learning and wellbeing.
Students at Kapiti College share their experiences of dyslexia and their expectations of inclusive teaching environments.
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Indications of dyslexia
Alongside difficulties with language, indications of dyslexia can be accompanied by a range of strengths, interests, difficulties, and challenges in other areas.
Examples of strengths and interests |
Examples of difficulties and challenges |
|
Big picture thinking |
Reading and writing, particularly related to phonological awareness |
|
Thinking in 3-D |
Remembering instructions |
|
Problem-solving |
Avoiding tasks or acting up to conceal difficulties |
|
Creative expression |
Forgetting homework, equipment |
|
Coming up with ideas |
Spelling erratically |
|
Bringing diverse ideas together |
Not completing work in the given time |
|
Having a diverse or original perspective |
Frustration, lack of motivation or confidence |
Adapted from Beyond words, a school pack from the British Dyslexia Association
The impact of a supportive teacher
The inclusive design of teaching practices and the learning environment can have a significant impact the wellbeing and achievement of students with dyslexia.
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Useful resources
Guidelines/indicators of dyslexia
Publisher: Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand
- Download PDF
A day in the life of a teen with dyslexia
Publisher: Understood
5 common myths about dyslexia
Publisher: Understood
Next steps
Return to the guide “Dyslexia and learning”
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Dyslexia and learning
Understand:
- Understanding Dyslexia
Strategies for action:
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Identify needs and how to provide supportShow suggestions for Identify needs and how to provide support
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Support literacy developmentShow suggestions for Support literacy development
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Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8
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Helpful classroom strategies years 9-13Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies years 9-13
