Dyslexia training

People working in the special education field often pursue specific paths in terms of professional development. Those who want to specialize in dyslexia and learn how to work with individuals with this disorder should consider dyslexia training.

Read on to learn more about dyslexia training and different training options.

Why is dyslexia training so important?

Poorly supported dyslexia can lead to behavioral problems

Dyslexia is a learning disability that doesn’t necessarily cause behavioral problems. However, if children don’t get enough support, especially during early childhood, they can often resort to inappropriate behavior,

Certified specialists can identify individuals with or at risk for dyslexia and give them the necessary support to prevent behavioral problems and encourage progress.

About three pupils per class will be dyslexic

Dyslexia is the most common learning disorder that affects between 5% and 10% of the population. This disorder can affect anyone, regardless of their race, social status, or education level.

This means that in a class of 30 students, 2-3 students have dyslexia. Depending on the severity of symptoms, these students may struggle with learning or remembering letters, reading, spelling, etc.

Without trained professionals, dyslexic students and learners may not get the support they need to succeed. The accessibility of proper education and support is vital to enhance the chances of success for dyslexic individuals.

Correct intervention makes all of the difference

Unfortunately, many people associate dyslexia with lower IQ. It’s crucial to clarify that dyslexia and intelligence aren’t related. Dyslexia can happen to anyone, regardless of their intellectual level.

Due to the lack of support, many dyslexic children score lower on school tests. They often have difficulty reading instructions and completing assignments due to their disorder.

With appropriate interventions, dyslexic students have the chance to achieve excellent grades, just like their peers. Trained staff can recognize the characteristics of dyslexia and set dyslexic individuals up for success.

Training options for special educators

There are numerous academies and learning centers that offer dyslexia training options and webinars. Special educators can investigate those for the purpose of professional development.

The Orton-Gillingham Approach

The Orton-Gillingham Approach represents a direct, multisensory, diagnostic, and sequential way of teaching literacy in cases when writing, reading, and spelling doesn’t come naturally. The approach is suitable for those with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.

The Orton-Gillingham Academy is the accrediting and certifying body that issues certificates for practicing the Orton-Gillingham Approach. There are four degrees of certification: Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator Level, Associate Level, Certified Level, and Fellow Level.

The curriculum and instructional practices characteristic of this approach originate from two sources:

• Time-tested practices and knowledge
• Scientific evidence of the way individuals learn to write and read, how dyslexia affects writing and reading, and what practices are suitable for dyslexic individuals

The Orton-Gillingham Approach is often used in one-on-one teacher-student instructional models and small groups. While reading, spelling, and writing are the focus, this approach can also be used for those with mathematics difficulties.

One of the best characteristics of the Orton-Gillingham Approach is individuality. Orton-Gillingham practitioners design lessons to match an individual’s needs. The practitioners identify the person’s strong and weak points and tailor lessons to help them progress and achieve different goals.

The training program involves:

• Learning about dyslexic learners
• Detailed understanding of dyslexia and its symptoms
• Learning more about the development of reading, starting from decoding
• Learning about lesson plan design
• Learning about the structure, morphology, and history of the language
• A high-quality practicum

Teacher Training Programs Accredited by the International Dyslexia Association

The International Dyslexia Association (ADA) reviews education preparation programs based on an accreditation model aligned with Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading (KPS).

Compliance with these standards provides a framework for developing a curriculum. Every program that the IDA reviews and establishes it meets the standards and receives the IDA Accreditation.

Programs that receive the IDA Accreditation Plus meet the KPS and produce educators who are equipped to work with individuals with dyslexia.

Some of the IDA Accreditation Plus programs are:

• Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators
• The Apple Group for Dyslexia
• Hamilton County Education Service Center
• Lexercise
• Region 4 ESC

Course from the Dyslexia Training Institute

The Dyslexia Training Institute aims to provide education about dyslexia and offer individuals professional development opportunities. The institute offers several courses for educators, parents, teachers, and anyone else who wants to know more about dyslexia.

All training courses are held by experienced and qualified professionals in an interactive environment.

At the time of writing, the Dyslexia Training Institute offers two programs: Dyslexia Certificate Program and Dyslexia Advocate Certificate Program. Both programs consist of numerous modules that provide in-depth knowledge about dyslexia.

The Dyslexia Certificate Program teaches individuals about dyslexia and different remediation techniques based on the Orton-Gillingham Approach. The Dyslexia Advocate Certificate Program discusses Special Ed law, how dyslexia relates to it, and what participants can do to advocate for dyslexic individuals.

Speechify – a useful tool for teachers and dyslexic students

Dyslexic students struggle with reading, spelling, and writing, and this can make their education much more challenging. Over time, the students can become frustrated, leading to psychological issues that inhibit their progress in school.

What if we told you there’s a simple tool that can allow dyslexic students to enjoy books and other written content without difficulty?

Speechify is a text to speech program that can convert almost any text to speech  It offers numerous customization options, so users can choose the reading speed, voice, language, and accent. Since the program uses the latest technology, all voices sound completely natural.

Thanks to Speechify  dyslexic students can complete reading assignments without feeling frustrated or anxious. If they have a hard copy of a book, they can scan it and listen to it in just a few clicks.

Speechify is available as an independent desktop app, a browser extension for Chrome and Safari, and a smartphone app for iOS and Android. Thanks to its availability, Speechify can be used anywhere and at any time.

The program offers free and paid subscription plans  Try it for free and see why millions of people worldwide enjoy its many benefits.

FAQ

What are dyslexia symptoms?

The most common symptoms are issues with reading, spelling, and writing, difficulty remembering sequences of words, problems forming words, mispronouncing words, and avoiding activities that involve reading.