How do I know if my child has dyslexia – Useful Resources for Parents

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Programs

The instructor must be certified after completing a few hundred hours of practicum. Ask to see their certification —it matters!
Sometimes school districts will say, “This teacher is Wilson-trained.” This means the person attended a three-day workshop.
If a student is taught by a workshop attendee (teacher), they will not make progress.

Which program is most commonly used in U.S schools?

Wilson Reading Intensive – specific for people with dyslexia

Two levels of certification- Level 1 (Practitioner) and Level 2 (Therapist)

Accredited by the International Dyslexia Association

Why is a program better than the Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach?

1. Structure and Systematization

1. 1. Dyslexia-specific programs: Provide a predefined and often sequential curriculum that systematically addresses foundational reading skills like phonological awareness, phonics, decoding, and spelling, progressing from basic to complex concepts.
   2. Orton-Gillingham: While based on these principles, it’s more flexible, requiring the instructor to develop a customized plan based on the student’s needs.

2. Evidence-based support

1. 1. Many dyslexia programs Have been developed with research backing their efficacy and can demonstrate positive results in improving reading and spelling skills for dyslexic individuals.
   2. Orton-Gillingham (as an approach): Has limited specific statistical research to support its effectiveness, as it’s not a standardized program that can be easily studied. However, programs built on OG principles have shown positive results.

3. Targeted Intervention

1. 1. Dyslexia programs: Provide a focused curriculum that targets the core deficits of dyslexia, such as phonological processing, according to www.readwritelearningcenter.com.
   2. Orton-Gillingham (used in isolation): May not always provide the comprehensive and intense support needed to address all aspects of the learning difficulty, according to Parallel Learning.

4. Specific components and features

1. 1. Dyslexia programs: Incorporate specific components, techniques, and features beyond the core OG principles, such as visual and kinesthetic cues, color-coded materials, or technology-assisted learning platforms, depending on the program.
   2. Orton-Gillingham: Relies heavily on the instructor’s expertise in selecting and implementing various techniques, which can be time-consuming and challenging for some instructors, according to Forbrain.

5. Potential for inconsistency

1. 1. Dyslexia programs: Provide a standardized curriculum and materials, ensuring consistency in instruction and delivery.
   2. Orton-Gillingham (as an approach): Variability in implementation and instructional add-ons can complicate the evaluation of effectiveness, according to a commentary by Solari, Petscher, and Hall.

Benefits of Wilson Instruction

• Actual books for each step in the program (12)
• Wilson Notebook for the student to use as a reference (based on the linguistics of English)
• Progress monitoring for students- word list reading
• Vocabulary is high-level and based on academic vocabulary lists
• Repetition daily for the brain to form new neural networks
• Spelling is incorporated into every sub-step
• Spelling dictation is required in each sub-step
• Comprehension strategies are taught using controlled text (words based on skills the student has learned) and non-controlled text.
• Students receive a Step Completion Award after each Wilson step.

Videos

Educational Psychologists

Experts in the Cleveland, Ohio area who can test for dyslexia.