You, your child, or someone you know has dyslexia.
More than 40 million US adults and 15% to 20% of the kids in our schools have dyslexia, with only 5% receiving a diagnosis. Dyslexia is a neurological condition that affects the brain’s processing of language and is a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Why is it that if a child has a physical disability, we get help; but a reading disability, we often ignore? Research shows that 70% to 80% of people with limited reading proficiency suffer from dyslexia, and that the high school dropout rate for kids with reading problems is 62%, while 48% of people in jail are dyslexic. How many of the nearly 60% of Nevada kids currently failing to read at grade level are dyslexic? We have no clue, but maybe we should; it is time to take dyslexia seriously and do something about it.
Understanding Dyslexia
What is dyslexia? Dyslexia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words (decoding).
How do you know if someone has dyslexia? Children with dyslexia often exhibit signs before they begin school. They may have trouble learning even simple rhymes. They usually talk later than most kids, and they may struggle to follow directions. Once they start school, they may:
- Read well below the expected level for their age.
- Have problems processing and understanding what is heard.
- Have difficulty finding the right word or forming answers to questions.
- Be unable to remember the sequence of things.
- Be unable to sound out words or remember sight words.
- Have poor spelling and handwriting.
- Spend an unusually long amount of time completing tasks that involve reading or writing.
Supporting Students with Dyslexia: Early Identification, Assessment, and Effective Intervention
What can you do if you know someone that is showing signs of dyslexia? Parents who have concerns about their child’s reading development should schedule a meeting with their child’s school. If a school-age child struggles with reading, their school can administer a dyslexia assessment. Using the test results, parents can collaborate with the school to ensure their child receives appropriate support.
In Nevada, when a student is evaluated for special education and determined to have a specific learning disability, including dyslexia, an individualized education program (IEP) must be developed and implemented. Parents can also seek an external evaluation from a psychologist, reading specialist, or speech-language therapist. The most effective treatments for dyslexia involve customized educational strategies, particularly multisensory approaches, with systematic instruction in phonics, decoding, fluency, and spelling. Our children don’t need a “disabled” label; they just need our support. See Nevada Dyslexia Guidance Documents at doe.nv.gov for more information.
This is also a state issue, with more than 100,000 undiagnosed kids in Nevada who have dyslexia. Telling kids, parents or schools to just work harder or do more is unfair and unrealistic. Many other states acknowledge the scope and long-term effects of dyslexia on children and are working to provide necessary support. For example, Texas has a comprehensive set of laws known as the “Texas Dyslexia Handbook,” which mandates early screening, teacher training and evidence-based interventions for students with dyslexia in public schools. Mississippi also has strong dyslexia legislation, including mandatory early screening, teacher training, and reporting of dyslexia interventions and outcomes.
Coordinated Efforts Make a Significant Difference
The good news is that a coordinated effort can make a significant difference. Dyslexia is a manageable condition; with early detection and intervention using multisensory teaching methods and personalized plans, children and adults with dyslexia can substantially improve their reading and writing skills. The elements of effective instruction for dyslexic learners, such as multimodal instruction with a focus on phonemic awareness, are beneficial for all learners. If this approach to reading instruction is implemented from the beginning, many cases of dyslexia can be prevented, and naturally skilled readers would progress even faster.
In a society that values literacy and communication, it is essential to recognize that dyslexia is not just an educational issue, but also a community issue. We all should become aware of the symptoms and solutions for dyslexia. This learning disability is harming our children, contributing to the rising number of Nevada kids who are unable to read at grade level, and leading to chronic absenteeism and school dropouts. We need to acknowledge this learning disorder, ensure early detection and equip our teachers with the necessary training and resources they need to help our children.
Mike Kazmierski is the executive director of Strengthen our Community
Strengthen our Community (SoC) is a non-profit (501c3) committed to developing cooperative, caring solutions to regional needs, with a special emphasis on education, families, good governance, and environmental sustainability. SoC is dedicated to confronting the important but complex issues in the region that have been difficult or even impossible to resolve. For more information on Strengthen our Community please get in touch with us at info@socnnv.org or 775-350-1465.
Mike Kazmierski is the executive director of Strengthen our Community.
