Understood holds this weekly Twitter chat that aims to keep the momentum going and raise awareness of learning and attention issues. Follow along with hashtag #LDCHAT and follow users @understoodchats & @understoodorg. Experts will be available to answer your questions and concerns and share resources from Understood.org.
LIVE NOW
Welcome to today’s #ldchat! This is Dan with the Understood team. We’re joined today by Dr. Sheldon Horowitz (@LD_Expert), @ncldorg’s Senior Advisor of Strategic Innovation, Research and Insights.
#ldchat I'm in the chilly midwest, where I provide academic support at community college... lots of experience w/ dyslexia and always wanting to hear more :)
RT LIVE NOW
Welcome to today’s #ldchat! This is Dan with the Understood team. We’re joined today by Dr. Sheldon Horowitz (LD_Expert), ncldorg’s Senior Advisor of Strategic Innovation, Research and Insights. https://t.co/hU00DXCiX0 via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
Edie, snowy and icy Washington DC. Building an international tribe of teachers and parents of teens and young adults with ADHD. Some have LD too. #LDchat
Q1. The first step to helping a child with #dyslexia is to understand what the issue is and isn’t. What are some dyslexia myths, and how would you dispel them? #ldchat
I've recently been playing with geogebra which I think has great potential for bridging btw visual/concrete and symbols.... needs structure to make that path I think #LDchat
RT Q1. The first step to helping a child with #dyslexia is to understand what the issue is and isn’t. What are some dyslexia myths, and how would you dispel them? #ldchathttps://t.co/J59DORv7Mf via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
A1 One myth is that students with dyslexia don't like books. By providing lots of assistive tech & high-interest reading material this can be dispelled.#ldchat
A1: #LDchat A HUGE myth is that dyslexia is conducive to one's intelligence. Dispelling that myth is easy when a S has the appropriate accommodations. It speaks for itself.
A1. Argh! so true... and so unfortunate! Because dyslexia is associated with reading, people often assume it is a problem with “vision” when it’s real roots are in “language.” Learn more at https://t.co/8Z7K0bsEWU. #ldchat
A1. My colleagues contend that their students with dyslexia see words backwards. Mirrors help? Instead, slow things down and look for commonalities in word structure. #ldchat
A1. Argh! so true... and so unfortunate! Because dyslexia is associated with reading, people often assume it is a problem with “vision” when it’s real roots are in “language.” Learn more at https://t.co/8Z7K0bsEWU. #ldchat
A1 One myth is that students with dyslexia don't like books. By providing lots of assistive tech & high-interest reading material this can be dispelled.#ldchat
RT RT ClinicPolly: A1 One myth is that students with dyslexia don't like books. By providing lots of assistive tech & high-interest reading material this can be dispelled.#ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT ksuding: A1: #LDchat A HUGE myth is that dyslexia is conducive to one's intelligence. Dispelling that myth is easy when a S has the appropriate accommodations. It speaks for itself. via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT LD_Expert: geonz UnderstoodOrg A1. Argh! so true... and so unfortunate! Because dyslexia is associated with reading, people often assume it is a problem with “vision” when it’s real roots are in “language.” Learn more at https://t.co/yYm7eR9bVT. #ldchat via UnderstoodO…
RT teachnbeach1 Please be sure to use #ldchat so everyone can see your tweets. Looks like you're using an "i" in place of an "l." via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT SarahGeissWood: A1: yes assistive technology can help remove decoding barriers so students can work on comprehension, vocabulary, and background knowledge. #ldchathttps://t.co/u2JkhLJdGB via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
A1 One myth is that students with dyslexia don't like books. By providing lots of assistive tech & high-interest reading material this can be dispelled.#ldchat
A1. Has anyone come across the issue of whether dyslexia can be identified before kids get formal instruction in reading? I have! And “early risk” for dyslexia CAN be seen in young children! https://t.co/bSACIwVfYD#ldchat
q1 that they can't learn to read so they should only accommodate, or that they *need* to practice reading so shouldn't accommodate #ldchat or that have to memorize sight words.
Q2. Parent-teacher communication is especially important when a child has a learning or attention issue. What are your tips for parents and teachers to have a helpful and productive conversation about a child’s #dyslexia? #ldchat
Yes and I could not agree with this more. If we keep saying "oh, they will catch up eventually" then they will get so far behind. Research says that if a student is behind in reading after 2nd grade, the % of them ever "catching up" is LOW or rare #LDchat
Yes, I met a psychology prof at U. Delaware who is developing a language screener for young children, Roberta Golinkoff-- she co-wrote _Becoming Brilliant_ #ldchat
Yes we do know risk factors for dyslexia and with good early intervention we can help reduce the reading problems for a large number of children. #ldchat
A1. Has anyone come across the issue of whether dyslexia can be identified before kids get formal instruction in reading? I have! And “early risk” for dyslexia CAN be seen in young children! https://t.co/bSACIwVfYD#ldchat
don't minimize the challenges -- "they're smart, they'll get by" esp early! #ldchat and don't maximize 'em either ("well, some people just don't do well in school...") #ldchat
A2. Having conversations with older kids with dyslexia is difficult. Discuss the challenges and explain reasons why. Highlight that there is always hope. #ldchat
RT IlluecaYDSTuft I can, but no one else will be able to. Please be sure to use #ldchat with every tweet so everyone can see. via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT LD_Expert: A1. Has anyone come across the issue of whether dyslexia can be identified before kids get formal instruction in reading? I have! And “early risk” for dyslexia CAN be seen in young children! https://t.co/IG9oxrSepA#ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT Q2. Parent-teacher communication is especially important when a child has a learning or attention issue. What are your tips for parents and teachers to have a helpful and productive conversation about a child’s #dyslexia? #ldchathttps://t.co/Zd5iqZuMxH via UnderstoodOrg #ld…
I don't feel that accommodations should REPLACE reading/decoding strategies but rather should work hand in hand. Accommodations will allow these Ss to be able to keep up with their peers...leveling playing field...EQUITABLE #LDchat
“I didn’t want my son to get lost in the shuffle. I wanted to find a way to really connect with his teachers and make it easier for them to get to know him.” #ldchathttps://t.co/BHev18H4GI
A2 Come from a place of empathy & respect on both sides: find common ground in wanting to support the child's success in an academic setting, with accommodations and modifications, scaffolding and celebrating the learner. #ldchat
A2. And let's not forget kids! Don’t wait to talk to your child about his/her dyslexia. The more THEY understand, the better they can learn to be a confident self-advocate. https://t.co/O9W6cQGpuE#ldchat
#ldchat#Dyslexia a2 on open communication is so important. And the teacher needs to address each child's individual needs. The plan should look at what each child needs. Not one universal plan.
As a pre-service teacher, I am always looking to learn more and find ways to help my future students. This is a perfect resource for learning more about how dyslexia presents itself at different ages. #SSEDMETHODS#LDchat
A1. Has anyone come across the issue of whether dyslexia can be identified before kids get formal instruction in reading? I have! And “early risk” for dyslexia CAN be seen in young children! https://t.co/bSACIwVfYD#ldchat
So true! Accommodations should be a bridge to independence and a tool to build skills, provide access,.... NOTHING should replace targeted, evidence-based instruction! #LDchat
A2: Many of the most successful college students with dyslexia I see now were explicitly taught self advocacy skills in high school. So including the students in the conversations are key. #LDchat
Q3. Audiobooks and access to text in digital formats are common accommodations for kids with #dyslexia. What are some other effective classroom accommodations, and how do they help? #ldchat
A2, A2. Sometimes the hardest part of the parent-teacher conversation is getting started. Check out these “conversation starters” https://t.co/UpHx9T8bAY#ldchat
RT RT edielovesmath: UnderstoodOrg A2. Having conversations with older kids with dyslexia is difficult. Discuss the challenges and explain reasons why. Highlight that there is always hope. #ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT LD_Expert: UnderstoodOrg A2. Taking to your child’s teacher about dyslexia can definitely be intimidating. But it shouldn’t be. https://t.co/uGeUKsot6o#ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT “I didn’t want my son to get lost in the shuffle. I wanted to find a way to really connect with his teachers and make it easier for them to get to know him.” #ldchathttps://t.co/49yuSiGXHs via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT ClinicPolly: A2 Come from a place of empathy & respect on both sides: find common ground in wanting to support the child's success in an academic setting, with accommodations and modifications, scaffolding and celebrating the learner. #ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT LD_Expert: A2. And let's not forget kids! Don’t wait to talk to your child about his/her dyslexia. The more THEY understand, the better they can learn to be a confident self-advocate. https://t.co/n2VMvoQnRl#ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT LD_Expert: ksuding geonz UnderstoodOrg So true! Accommodations should be a bridge to independence and a tool to build skills, provide access,.... NOTHING should replace targeted, evidence-based instruction! #LDchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT Q3. Audiobooks and access to text in digital formats are common accommodations for kids with #dyslexia. What are some other effective classroom accommodations, and how do they help? #ldchathttps://t.co/RQaqCk2Adq via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
Window and Mirror books are so important! Having books that students can see themselves in is essential to the classroom. Thank you @Bookshare for the great resource ideas. #SSEDMETHODS#LDchat
A2. Looks like we have lots of "pros" on this chat.... and we know that comprehensive evals are A LOT to digest for parents and peers. Check out https://t.co/DiM9SX6tMd as a first step in sharing and discussing findings. #ldchat
A3: Present information in chunks....allow appropriate processing time WHICH means we need to work on our own wait time...and that's not easy for some Ts. #LDchat
We asked our Facebook community what surprising accommodations their kids have in their #IEP or 504 plans. Here’s what they said… #ldchathttps://t.co/wYghJ0HOtH
A3. Dyslexia often co-occurs with other types of learning and attention issues, and accommodations that work for one often help for others. Check out this menu of options and see how they overlap. https://t.co/9VVz5SUmjz#ldchat
A3 Notes prepared by the teacher, but with a few blank spaces for students to fill in with important concepts/vocabulary. Helps keep students' attention, lessens reading/writing load & makes sure notes reflect learning goals. #ldchat
RT RT Ms_Kreiss: Window and Mirror books are so important! Having books that students can see themselves in is essential to the classroom. Thank you Bookshare for the great resource ideas. #SSEDMETHODS#LDchathttps://t.co/HN5BTDFnHP via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT edielovesmath: UnderstoodOrg My HS students with dyslexia struggle with reading comprehension. Graphic organizers work best. Cheap too! #ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT ClinicPolly: A3 An opportunity to learn in a classroom where the teacher will never call on a student to read aloud unless they volunteer to do so. #ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT echamblet: A3) Copies of notes from a classmate if student is poor speller to make sure notes have important terms spelled correctly #ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT ksuding: A3: Present information in chunks....allow appropriate processing time WHICH means we need to work on our own wait time...and that's not easy for some Ts. #LDchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT We asked our Facebook community what surprising accommodations their kids have in their #IEP or 504 plans. Here’s what they said… #ldchathttps://t.co/X3397mH0FG via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT LD_Expert: A3. Dyslexia often co-occurs with other types of learning and attention issues, and accommodations that work for one often help for others. Check out this menu of options and see how they overlap. https://t.co/3KBs6GY8hC#ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT Q4. Many kids with #dyslexia can easily lose motivation. What are some ways you can motivate a child with learning and attention issues? #ldchathttps://t.co/Ak6m24uugb via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
My guess it's the "decoding" part is what the struggle part really is....and the comprehension level is at grade level or above with text to speech. #LDchat
Keeping an open mind is a great thing. Try implementing new ideas within your own classroom to see what works best & benefits your students. #SSEDMETHODS#LDchat
A4 Make learning tasks manageable, and provide opportunities for re-doing work as necessary. Preview material to get students excited. Take brain breaks! Move around! #ldchat
A.4 Staying motivated is hard when faced with reading challenges every day. Even with great instruction, encouragement, and accommodations, it's a slog! That’s why building on strengths and interests is so important. https://t.co/srvYUBu7wv#ldchat
“Jocelyn started playing soccer around the same time we learned that she has #dyslexia…She was having a lot of difficulty in school, especially with learning how to read. Soccer seemed to help her through those tough times.” #ldchathttps://t.co/BT5xNVpqtH
Using text-to-speech and related read-aloud tools can motivate students by engaging them at their level of interest and comprehension. Instead of their reading material being limited just to their decoding level. #LDchat
A4: Motivate them by giving them opportunities to SUCCEED and not continue to drill them on things you already know they will currently not be successful in doing #LDchat