Dyslexia & Reading Difficulties

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. A secondary consequence may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

Maine Revised Statute 20-A M.S.R. § 4701-B requires school administrative units to screen students in kindergarten through second grade who have difficulty in these areas: phonological and phonemic awareness, sound-symbol recognition, alphabet knowledge, decoding skills, rapid naming skills, and encoding skills.
 

Assistive Technology
 

• Bookshare - Students with a qualifying disability are provided free access to e-books, audiobooks, and a variety of other resources.  This project is supported by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs
• Learning Ally - Assistive technology such as audiobooks are accessible online for children and adults with disabilities.  The site also includes resources for parents and families.
• Maine CITE - A program is designed to help make assistive technology available to Maine children.

Understanding Dyslexia

• Dyslexia Fact Sheet A one-page fact sheet created by Understood.org that briefly outlines what dyslexia is, what it is not and ways to assist students with characteristics of dyslexia.
• Dyslexia Basics From the International Dyslexia Association, Dyslexia Basics provides a thorough overview of the condition, the effects, diagnosis, treatment, and rights of individuals with dyslexia.
• Dyslexia FAQ Frequently asked questions about dyslexia are answered by the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity.

Recognizing Characteristics of Dyslexia

• Signs of Dyslexia A list of indicators and characteristics of dyslexia provided by the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity.
• Universal Screening: K-2 Reading Overview of the purpose and process of conducting universal screenings for characteristics of dyslexia.
• Screening for Dyslexia The National Center on Improving Literacy document was created to provide an overview of screening for dyslexia
• Identifying Assessments Academic screening tools chart, including literacy universal screeners, created by the National Center on Intensive Intervention.

Resources for Educators & Families

• 5 Questions Parents and Educators Can Ask - Questions about specific learning disabilities and dyslexia created by the National Center for Learning Disabilities.

Resources for Educators

• Federal Guidance from the Office of Special Education Programs - A letter from OSEP describing the implications of federal law on disabilities for state and local policy and practice, especially concerning the identification and treatment of dyslexia.
• Meeting the Challenges of Early Literacy Phonics Instruction - The International Literacy Association's position statement advises that explicit and systematic phonics instruction is vitally important for all learners, especially those who struggle with reading and writing.
• Dyslexia in the Classroom:  What Every Teacher Needs to Know - A dyslexia handbook for teachers created by the International Dyslexia Association. 
• Webinars - Series of three webinars focusing on the instructional needs of students with dyslexia and learning difficulties hosted by the International Dyslexia Association.
• Reading 101:  A Guide to Teaching Reading and Writing - Nine-course modules created by Reading Rockets provides in-depth information, classroom strategies, assignments, and additional resources on the building blocks of teaching reading and writing — including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension.
• Dyslexia Modules -  Decoding Dyslexia California has created a universal screener module and is developing additional dyslexia modules addressing assessments, RTI & MTSS, a teacher toolbox, and legislation. 

Resources for Families

• A Child Becomes a Reader - Ideas for parents of students in kindergarten through 3^rd grade based on literacy research.
• Navigating the School System When Your Child is Struggling with Reading or Dyslexia - A collection of information and resources for parents created by the Minnesota Department of Education Special Education Policy Division.
• What Every Family Should Know - A dyslexia handbook for Families created by the International Dyslexia Association.  The handbook addresses topics from a definition of dyslexia to helping your student transition after high school.
• Children’s Dyslexia Centers - The Children’s Dyslexia Centers provide intensive reading instruction for children in grades 1 through 12 in their tutoring locations.