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Classroom support strategies for dyslexia

Blog
The YPO Team
03 Oct 2024

Dyslexia Awareness Week is an annual awareness campaign established and hosted by the British Dyslexia Association (BDA). Occurring every October, it aims to challenge common misconceptions and achieve the goal of a dyslexia friendly society.

According to BDA (1972), the term ‘dyslexia’ is defined as a lifelong, genetic, neurological Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) that affects all genders, ethnicities and social groups. It is best described as a set of processing difficulties that affect individuals’ learning to read and spell.

Dyslexia can often present barriers for young people at educational institutions, and they may find it difficult to improve. Often, their symptoms may be misconceived as other issues such as laziness or behavioural problems; this can hinder their self-esteem and confidence. Below are a few support strategies that teachers can introduce into their classrooms to facilitate the academic progression of dyslexic students.

Classroom Support Strategies

Distinguished instructions

As individuals with dyslexia struggle to follow instructions due to language processing difficulties, teachers can tailor their lessons by using methods such as visual learning, simplifying directions, and auditory repetition. Teachers can give clear and concise step by-step instructions and repeat if necessary. They can also use visual elements such as diagrams to provide learning or break down tasks into smaller steps so that instructions are easily comprehensible. Through this, students are able to easily understand the task at hand without feeling confused or behind with the rest of the class.

Positive reinforcement

Students with dyslexia may experience low confidence or self-esteem, so providing positive reinforcement for any progress or acknowledging their efforts can help build their confidence and motivation. Teachers can show positive reinforcement through tangible reinforcement such as offering a physical reward, or token reinforcers such as putting a sticker reward system in place. Teachers can also use social reinforcers such as verbal praises to help students understand what they did right, further encouraging them to repeat these good behaviours.

Assistive materials and technology

There are many assistive technologies available that can enable students with dyslexia to fully participate in the classroom and help achieve their academic potential. These technologies are an excellent way for students to comfortably access the curriculum and understand the work better. Students can utilize text-to-speech (TTS) software to help them with reading, and they can also use speech-to-text (STT) software to help with writing and speaking.

There are also many materials that students with dyslexia can use to aid their learning in schools. As students may experience visual distortion while reading, the Dyslexia & Visual Stress Friendly Tinted Monitor Overlay This is a simple solution that helps to reduce eyestrain, glare and visual stress. They lie flat against the screen inside your desktop monitor frame and the static keeps them in place.

Another product that helps teachers and parents understand, recognize and overcome differences and learning difficulties that students may have, is the Teaching the Brain by Dr Duncan Milne - Paperback Book. This book explains how the brain evolves in the classroom, and how to develop successful teaching and intervention programs; this book also helps you to understand language, reading, spelling and writing acquisition in the brain. This is the perfect tool for guiding children to academic success!

Classroom routine

Teachers can implement a classroom routine where all students feel inclusive and welcomed whilst working at a comfortable pace. Teachers can offer to give extra time for reading or writing and give multiple opportunities to read the same text. Students with dyslexia might also struggle to work independently, and so implementing reading buddies or having students partner up for learning may significantly help them to progress in their education.

Structure lessons to support working memory

Dyslexia can often affect an individual’s working memory and attention skills. Often, students can feel overwhelmed by lengthy sequences, and unfamiliar instructions or content that is dissimilar to usual routines. They may also struggle with challenging mental processing activities such as trying to remember formulas, rules or sequences. Teachers can help by reducing the amount of information to be stored. Another way is to use instructions that are simple, chronologically ordered and explicit. You can also use flow diagrams for complex tasks, or thoroughly review a topic or subject before introducing an activity that is demanding in terms of working memory.

Supporting students in the classroom is crucial to their learning. Whether it’s giving them extra time for reading and writing tasks, using positive reinforcement, or simply giving out clear and visual instructions, these small steps can make a significant difference. Together, we can create an inclusive and tailored learning experience for students with learning difficulties and differences.

Check out our SEN Resources & Equipment for Schools | YPO for more information and products.

Author

The YPO Team

YPO supplies products and services to a wide range of customers including schools, local authorities, charities, emergency services, public sector and other businesses such as nurseries and care homes. YPO are 100% publicly owned, by 13 local authorities, which means the profits made are returned to public sector customers, delivering even better value for money.