What is Dyslexia?

Mayo Clinic's Definition of Dyslexia
Dyslexia is an impairment in the brain's ability to translate written images received from the eyes into meaningful language. Also called specific reading disability, dyslexia is the most common learning disability in children, affecting 5 percent or more of all elementary-age children.
Dyslexia may occur in children with normal vision and normal intelligence. Children with dyslexia usually have normal speech, but often have difficulty interpreting spoken language and writing.

Using this understanding of dyslexia, I believe that the 'dyslexic' student doesn't see the individual lines and arcs that make up a letter and therefore, struggles with letter reversals and reading challenges. Thus, 'b', 'd', 'p' and 'q' appear to be the same letter to them. With this idea in mind, I began to use dot patterns thereby helping the 'dyslexic' student decode the individual parts that make up each unique letter of the alphabet.

By repeatedly using dot patterns and decoding word lists with my struggling students, the results have been amazing, the benefits long lasting. Every lesson, therefore, begins with a dot pattern exercise and a decoding word list worksheet.  

Dot Patterns: Starting at as low a level as needed, the student reproduces a dot pattern by copying one set of linked dots onto an adjacent blank set of identical dots.  In the beginning, the pattern may be composed of only 2 or 3 lines. If a student is really struggling, I go over each line with a different color marker to make them more distinct. (See an example dot pattern)

In some cases, the student needs help in determining what dot to use in order to start drawing the line.  Also, they may struggle by reversing the location or by using a dot on the opposite side of the pattern. Show them where to start by counting the number of dots from the corner, helping them to gain an understanding and knowledge of the spatial orientation of the dot pattern.  As students become more proficient at doing the dot patterns, I notice fewer and fewer letter reversals. The few that occur are quickly picked up by the student, who corrects them before I have even had a chance to point the reversal out. 

Success with dot patterns is one of the foundational principles motivating me to start this website. This intervention has been so successful with the struggling students that I have taught, that I can't help wondering if all students with 'dyslexia' shouldn't be doing them regularly.

Go to more information on Dot Patterns.

Can something so simple work?
Can this tool equip and empower your struggling student?
Can we really 'Teach All Kids,' even those with 'dyslexia'?  
The answer is a resounding, Yes!

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Word Decoding lists: Another very simple but fundamental tool.
Research has shown that dyslexic students lack the ability to break words into syllables. Thus larger words pose a threat and affect comprehension.  Decoding word lists remove the fear and mystery from reading by helping the student break bigger words into smaller units. The best way to benefit from a decoding word list is by having students use a variety of colored high-liter pens to highlight the 'small words' inside the larger word. Not only is the use of high-liters fun for your child but it turns a struggling reader into a fluent one in a very short period of time.

Again can something so simple work?
Can we really 'Teach All Kids' to read?
The results speak for themselves.

A lack of the above basic abilities is a major cause of poor performance in struggling dyslexic students. I have successfully used dot patterns and decoding word lists to teach and empower students challenged by letter reversals, ADHD, 'intellectual disabilities' and 'learning disabilities' how to write and read.  I believe you will have the same results. Together, we can 'Teach All Kids.'

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Go to Reading Skills for more information and teaching techniques.
Go to Math Skills more information and teaching techniques.

See our Dot Pattern Worksheets.
See our Teaching Resources for worksheets, lesson plans, special education resources, etc.

Understanding the challenges of teaching special needs kids, Teach All Kids is committed to providing both free and member-only worksheets and usage advice based upon proven techniques that help your child or student to be more successful. Those choosing to become members will have immediate access to over 1900 additional teaching resources.