Dyslexia :: Helpful Information and Strategies

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Dyslexia Awareness Month imageDid you know?

  • Readers with dyslexia have trouble matching the letters they see on the page with the sounds those letters and combinations of letters make. Because they have trouble with that step, all the other steps for reading are harder.
  • Dyslexia is very common, affecting 20 percent of the population and representing 80 – 90 percent of all those with learning disabilities.
  • Dyslexia cannot be “cured” – it is lifelong.
  • Dyslexia is a gift. Readers with dyslexia are highly skilled at many things.

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month and to support readers (and their caregivers) with dyslexia, here are some resources that have helpful information and strategies, whether your child has been diagnosed with dyslexia or not. Use these resources at home and share with your child’s teacher.

  • International Dyslexia Association – This handbook provides information on assessments, effective teaching approaches, self-advocacy ideas, and an array of resources. Contains information that will be useful from elementary school through college.
  • Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity – This site has resources from experts; stories from others parents; and tools you can use to help your child.
  • NPR – Unlocking Dyslexia Series – NPR special series about Dyslexia. From 2016.
  • Top 10 Dyslexia Resources from Reading Rockets – Reading Rockets is an excellent resource! On this page, you can learn the common signs of dyslexia, how parents can support their child and celebrate their strengths, the role of assistive technology, how the latest brain research can help kids with dyslexia, and more.
  • Learning Ally – Learning Ally is an audiobook resource. Also check out Audible and your public library!
  • Sandhills School – This school is in Columbia. There are schools like it throughout South Carolina. It is a school for children in the first through twelfth grades with diagnosed learning differences, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD. Other schools in South Carolina include Lakes and Bridges in Easley and Camperdown Academy in Greenville.
  • Dyslexia Resource Center (in Columbia, South Carolina) – Offers services and resources for students who struggle with reading and those who teach them (educators and parents). Learn about workshops and trainings.
  • Understood – Resource dedicated to helping parents whose children, are struggling with learning and attention issues.
  • Decoding Dyslexia – Decoding Dyslexia aims to raise dyslexia awareness, empower families to support their children and inform policy-makers on best practices to identify, remediate and support students with dyslexia. There are local groups of Decoding Dyslexia. Request to join the local Facebook page.
  • Richland Library Main – They have an entire collection of resources. The Reading Studio at Richland Library Main is specifically designed for children who have Dyslexia. There are resources and assistive technology that aid children in the reading process. There is also monthly programming and special events you can attend.

Do you have dyslexia? Do you have a child with dyslexia? What are some resources that you have found to be helpful?

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Valerie Byrd-Fort
Valerie Byrd Fort was born in Florida, but when she was four years old, her family moved to the midlands and never looked back. She is mom to Katy (human) and to Lucky, Mozzy, and Penny (rescue dogs). She is married to Marty Fort, owner of the Lexington School of Music, Columbia Arts Academy, and Irmo Music Academy. She is an Instructor for the School of Library & Information Science at the University of South Carolina, where she teaches Children’s Literature to future classroom teachers and librarians. She is also Coordinator for Cocky's Reading Express, the University of South Carolina's literacy outreach program. Valerie is passionate about books, literacy, libraries, and reading aloud with children of ALL ages. She writes about books and other literacy related topics on her blog, Library Goddess. In her free time, Valerie enjoys reading, Barre3, going to Target and endless scrolling of social media  

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