1. Dyslexia: What Research Tells Us
By: Sarah Parker
Graduate Program: Reading, Literacy, and Learning
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Blanchette

2. Take 2 Minutes…
What does dyslexia mean to you?
Do you know anyone with dyslexia?

3. Dyslexia Defined
(Vellutino, Fletcher, Snowling, & Scanlon, 2004)
A neurobiological specific learning disability in which a student with average intelligence without general learning difficulties manifest extreme difficulties in acquiring basic reading subskills and tend to be accompanied by specific deficits in cognitive abilities related to reading and other literacy skills.

4. Causes of Dyslexia Inadequate facility in word identification
(Vellutino, Fletcher, Snowling, & Scanlon, 2004)
Inadequate facility in word identification
Deficiencies in reading related cognitive abilities
Inadequate instruction or experiential factors

5. Nature Nurture Training and Practice Do not feed the weakness
Biological aspects
Nurture
Do not feed the weakness
Interaction with Storybooks
(Vellutino, Fletcher, Snowling, & Scanlon, 2004)

6. Impedes student ability to access learning
Education
Impedes student ability to access learning
Needs to be addressed
The earlier the intervention, the easier and the greater lasting impact
(Hudson, High, & Al Otaiba, 2007; Vellutino, Fletcher, Snowling, & Scanlon, 2004)

7. Effects of Dyslexia on Secondary Education
Creates Gaps
Further impedes student access to learning
Reduces functioning to meet grade level expectations
Frustrates students
Reduces motivation
(Gray, 2008; Washburn, Joshi, & Cantrell, 2011; Hudson, High, & Al Otaiba, 2007)

8. We want…
Students in school and functioning at minimum, grade level
To foster a positive, supportive and successful learning environment
Students to have optimal futures
What Can We Do?

9. Acknowledge
Learning literacy is the most complex cognitive skill a human can learn (Goswami, 2008)
English is one of the most complex languages to learn (Goswami, 2008)

10. The more complex the language is,
The more complex the teaching should be
(Goswami, 2008; Hudson, High, & Al Otaiba, 2007)

11. Strong Teacher Prep Programs
Detailed Understanding of Morphological Awareness (Goswami, 2008)
Word Study
Knowledge of Programs and Program Effectiveness
Language Knowledge

12. Teachers Need Outstanding Training and Knowledge!
Language & Cognitive Process
Content Areas
Classroom Structure: Appropriate Flexible Grouping Strategies
Tools for Differentiation
(Vellutino, Fletcher, Snowling, & Scanlon, 2004; Washburn, Joshi, & Cantrell, 2011)

13. How? Well Trained Educators The Right Professional Knowledge
Washburn, Joshi, & Cantrell, 2011; Griffiths & Stuart, 2011 ; Hudson, High, & Al Otaiba, 2007
Well Trained Educators
The Right Professional Knowledge
The Right Materials
The Right Assessment Tools
Design Instructional Plan to Meet Needs

14. Areas for Future Research
Study:
How Confident Do Teachers Feel About Tasks to Meet the Needs of Learners?
Word Study Class
Training to Help with Understanding the English Language
Position: Comfort Level to Make Confident and Prepared Choices

15. ANY Questions?

16. References
Berninger, V. W., Lee, Y., Abbott, R. D., & Breznitz, Z. (2013). Teaching children with dyslexia to spell in a reading-writers' workshop. Annals Of Dyslexia, 63(1), Goswami, U. (2008). Reading, dyslexia and the brain. Educational Research, 50(2), Gray, E.S. (2008). Understanding dyslexia and its instructional implications: A case to support intense intervention. Literacy Research and Instruction. 47(2) Griffiths, Y., & Stuart, M. (2013). Reviewing evidence-based practice for pupils with dyslexia and literacy difficulties. Journal Of Research In Reading, 36(1), Hudson, R. F., High, L., & Al Otaiba, S. (2007). Dyslexia and the brain: What does current research tell us?. Reading Teacher, 60(6), Lorusso, M. L., Facoetti, A., & Bakker, D. J. (2011). Neuropsychological treatment of dyslexia: Does type of treatment matter?. Journal Of Learning Disabilities, 44(2), Vellutino, F. R., Fletcher, J. M., Snowling, M. J., & Scanlon, D. M. (2004). Specific reading disability (dyslexia): What have we learned in the past four decades?. Journal Of Child Psychology And Psychiatry, 45(1), Washburn, E. K., Joshi, R. M., & Binks-Cantrell, E. S. (2011). Teacher knowledge of basic language concepts and dyslexia. Dyslexia, 17(2),

17. Contact Information
Sarah Parker
Longwood University
Reading, Literacy and Learning