Understanding Dyslexia
Welcome to the Understanding Dyslexia module! This is the fourth module in a series that explores foundational literacy at the primary level. The module is intended for educators and other interested stakeholders who want to know more about dyslexia. The module will discuss what dyslexia is (and isn’t), how it presents across time, evidence-based strategies shown to help students with dyslexia, and resources available to help you learn more about it.
Time Estimated: 2.5-3 hours
Welcome!
Welcome to the fourth module in the Primary Foundational Literacy series titled Understanding Dyslexia in the Ohio Literacy Library! This module is geared towards all educators and other interested stakeholders who want to further their knowledge of dyslexia. Dyslexia is estimated to effect 5-10% of the population according to the National Institute of Health. Dyslexia is one of the most common causes of reading difficulty among elementary children. As educators, caregivers, and other roles that support children and education, it’s imperative that we have a working definition of what dyslexia is, what it looks like across different ages, and best practices for supporting children with dyslexia.
Whether you are an early interventionist, caregiver, teacher, administrator, paraprofessional, parent, related service provider, higher education faculty or candidate, or have another role in helping a child develop their reading skills, we want to first say THANK YOU. We know that your time is valuable and you would not be here if you weren’t interested in supporting outcomes for young children and families.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this module. However, you may be interested in the other modules within the Primary Foundational Literacy series.
Primary Foundational Literacy Series:
- The Simple View of Reading
- Understanding Structured Literacy (Coming Soon)
- Screening and Assessment (Coming Soon)
- Understanding Dyslexia
Module Description
This module is an introduction to dyslexia. Participants will learn:
- To properly define dyslexia
- To identify common characteristics of dyslexia across the lifespan
- To compare and contrast its characteristics with other reading difficulties
- To identify evidence-based instructional approaches for teaching students with dyslexia
- To determine how dyslexia is identified
Dyslexia is defined by the International Dyslexia Association as “(dyslexia is) a specific learning disability that is neurobiological 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. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.” (IDA, 2002).
Our hope is that by participating in this module you will have the knowledge and understanding of what dyslexia is and use that information to inform your practice, help others, and support our vision of literacy for all.
Course Navigation, Design, and Policies
Throughout each course, you will see a Course Outline with a green ribbon and the title of the course at the top right corner of the page. The outline displays every section of the course. Click any section to jump right to it.
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As you go through the course, you will have the opportunity to click the Mark Complete box at the end of each section. When you do this, the sections you have completed will be crossed off in your outline, and you will be taken to the next section of the course.
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Note Feature within the Modules
Throughout each module, you will notice some Reflection boxes that provide various prompts. Each reflection will be in a grey box with an image of a pen/lightbulb. A built in feature of each module is the ability to take notes and save them for your future use. This feature can be used within any part of the module, but is especially helpful for the reflection activities.
To access the note feature, simply click on the purple Take Notes button fixed in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. When you click on this button, a Take Notes box will appear. This box can be moved anywhere on the screen. Within the box, there is a SAVE button as well as a Print Button.
The easiest way to print all the notes you take from the entire module is to click View All Notes. When you click View All Notes, you will be taken to a page like the one below.
Click the boxes of the Notes you would like to print, and then click Download Selected. All your notes will be downloaded into one document separated by headers.
All Ohio’s comprehensive learning modules are relevant to any educator working to support students’ literacy development. In each module, you will find in-depth narrative text, linked resources, realistic scenarios, reflection activities, and embedded audio and videos.
Each module is self-paced. The approximate time for completion of the module is listed in the Simple View of Reading Module text box on the home page of the module.
Additional information included on each module’s home page include:
- Required prerequisites for the module.
- A more detailed description of the module.
- Helpful downloadable resources for the module including an outline of the module’s content and supporting resources, a step-by-step guide to assist you in navigating the professional learning modules, and an in-depth information about the purpose and key elements of the Ohio Literacy Library.
Certificates
Professional Development Certificates
are available for each comprehensive learning module. To earn a Professional Development Certificate, you must obtain a passing score of 85% or more on the module post-test. Please note that you are only allowed up to two attempts to obtain a passing score to earn your certificate.Badges
When completing professional development modules within All Ohio, you can earn badges based on your engagement in and mastery of content within each comprehensive learning module. You earn
Achievement Badges when you demonstrate proficiency with module content (i.e., obtaining a score of at least 85%), whereas Engagement Badges are awarded based on your level of participation on the site. Your earned Certificates and Badges will be displayed on your “All Ohio Dashboard.”
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Module Learning Objectives
Define dyslexia in an educational environment.
Identify common characteristics of dyslexia across age spans.
Describe how dyslexia is similar to and different from other types of reading difficulties.
Identify evidence-based instructional approaches for teaching students with dyslexia.
Determine how dyslexia is identified.
Helpful Resources Related to this Module:
An outline of the module’s main content and supporting resources.
Welcome & Navigation
Step-by-step guide to assist you in navigating the professional learning modules.
Ohio Literacy Library
In-depth information about the purpose and key elements of the Ohio Literacy Library.
