We live in a world
surrounded by words. One of the first, and arguably the most important thing
children learn in school is how to read. Although many students learn to read
proficiently, there are those students with dyslexia who require more help and
resources, but can learn to read and excel in school too. According to “Research
conducted at the National Institute of Health indicates that as many as 1 in 5
individuals struggle with dyslexia and related learning disabilities”( Words,
words, words: October is Dyslexia Awareness Month ). That being said,
dyslexia is a significant topic in education and making sure students with this
disability can reach their full potential. Recently, there has been many legislations
put into place so that dyslexic students can have the services they need. The
problem is that even though there are services for these students in schools
they are usually not the most effective in actually improving dyslexic students’
abilities. In addition, the problem also lies in the fact that “teachers
(including general education, reading specialist and special education) often
receive no training in dyslexia and the appropriate educational interventions”
(Words, words, words: October is Dyslexia Awareness Month). With better trained
teachers, children with dyslexia will have the support they need for their disability.
In addition, going along
with school services and better trained teachers, the article, Dyslexia
is a misunderstood learning disability also brings up research about dyslexic
children and schooling. Specifically, the article discusses how “Research has
shown strong correlations between dyslexia symptoms and deficits in
short-term memory and executive functioning” (Dyslexia is a misunderstood learning disability). Executive
function is a student’s ability to behave themselves in a classroom. This fact
relates to a scholarly article I found in my prior research called, "The
Development of Executive Function and Language Skills in the Early School
Years" by Debbie Gooch. In Gooch’s longitudinal study children completed
different tasks at ages 4, 5, and 6 years old. After each task, the parents and
teachers would rate their attention and behavioral skills. The study concluded
that students with weaker executive function are more likely to have dyslexia.
October
is Learning
Disabilities, Dyslexia and ADHD Awareness Month. There was an event in New
York City, hosted by Understood.org, in a campaign they called #BeUnderstood:
Make the Invisible Visible" to bring awareness to the public. At the event,
there was a simulation
where people got to see what it is like to have one of these disabilities. In the
article, Mimi Corcoran, president and CEO of the National Center for
Learning Disabilities (NCLD) states that, "Many kids with learning and
attention issues feel misunderstood" (Pr Newswire). Which is how the event
got its name. This event was a great idea and did an amazing idea in informing
people. Because of the event people are more educated and those with these disabilities
can start to feel understood.
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| (This picture shows a girl doing the simulation at the event in NYC https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/everyday-people-take-dyslexia-simulation-challenge-to-support-learning-disabilities-and-adhd-awareness-month-300543241.html) |
