Learning with Dyslexia

Learning with Dyslexia Dyslexia Awareness Week  runs from the  3rd to the 9th of November, and aims to help people better understand the unique challenges of those  living with the learning difficulty. According to the British Dyslexia Association, about 10% of people living in the UK are dyslexic.   Understanding dyslexia and how to manage it effectively is crucial in providing support. If you tutor or know someone who is dyslexic, this week is a great opportunity to become more  knowledgeable on the subject! What is dyslexia? Dyslexia can  seem pretty vague and complicated, but it's not really. Dr. Kelli Sandmna-Hurley explains the basics her  TEDed talk:  What is Dyslexia? In essence, dyslexia is a neurological variance that hinders one's ability to decode and manipulate language. Some people have difficulty reading, some spelling, and some both. This is because people who are dyslexic  rely more heavily on the right hemisphere and frontal lobe of their brain. In result, words can take longer to register in the left hemisphere, where language is processed. Dyslexia doesn't have anything to do with intelligence. Just look at this small example of the brilliant and creative people who also happen to be dyslexic! How does being dyslexic  affect students' learning? Being dyslexic goes beyond  struggling to keep up with classmates who don't have to work as hard to read, write and decode language.  Parents of dyslexic students report that expertise and resources are  hard to access and that their children’s experience of school is often negative. What can we do? A major factor of successful intervention is access to additional resources to support the development of key skills for independent learning.  Here,  a father describes how a tutor made all the difference for his son who struggled  with low confidence and poor academic performance as a result of dyslexia. The right support turned around his whole approach! Want more? We find these resources super helpful: Dyslexia Tool Kit  -  This free e-book tells you how to recognize signs of dyslexia, how to understand it, and what to do next if you think a child is dyslexic. Yale Center for Dyslexia  -  This website has amazing resources for parents, educators and students alike. Dyslexia Tutors  -  Many of our own tutors specialize in teaching  students with dyslexia. Whether you're a teacher looking for more advice or a student looking for  someone who understands your way of learning, they're here to help.