Dyslexia: A specific developmental disability that alters the way the brain processes written material.

Because dyslexia is due to a defect in the brain's processing of graphic symbols, it is thought of primarily as a learning disability.

Dyslexia can be treated with a lot of time and effort put into correcting the problem. This is a disorder that has been called mirror reading where the person tends to read backwards or sees some letters turned around. It is treated best when it is caught at a young age. When Dyslexia is diagnosed and the person is still in school then it is required that the school develops an IEP which is an individual education program that will help treat Dyslexia.

Instructions

1. Teach phonics. This is a program that shows how letters are linked to sounds in order to form words. This will help the dyslexic individual that has a particularly hard time in reading aloud and spelling. 2. Instruct the person with Dyslexia with a guided oral reading session. The person with the disorder will read aloud and be guided with corrections. Repetition is very important for the person to correct their mistakes. Continue to repeat the readings until they continue to get them right. Explain what was wrong and help them pronounce the words correctly. 3. Determine the child's weakness. For instance, if reading is their weakness then focus on more reading sessions with them. If writing is their weakness then stress more emphasis on helping with writing. By figuring out which one they are affected by the most will determine where they need treatment the most. 4. Get a tutor. If you don't feel as though the school is enough for the child then you can hire a tutor to help him/her to improve on their reading or writing skills at home or at another meeting place. 5. Make everything as visual as possible. A dyslexic person tends to rely mostly on what they see despite that how they see things is the problem. The object is to treat their visual handicap by going over and over what their not seeing correctly such as reading or writing.

The earlier dyslexia is recognized and addressed, the better. Starting treatment when a child is young can improve reading and may even prevent reading problems in the first years of school.

When a child age 3 years and older has been diagnosed with dyslexia, federal law requires that public school personnel create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that's tailored to the child's needs. The first step in developing the IEP is talking with your child's school to create a treatment team made up of you, the teacher, and other school personnel, including school counselors and special education teachers.

Your child's personalized IEP will detail specific disabilities, appropriate teaching methods, and goals and objectives for the academic year. It is evaluated at least once a year, with changes made based on your child's progress. Parents have the right to appeal if they do not agree with their child's IEP. Preparing children for further education, employment, and independent living is also required by law. This should start no later than age 16.

If you seek special education assistance for your child, it's handy to keep copies of:

Your child's school records and health history. Test results. State and federal special education laws. Phone numbers of agencies that can help, such as Learning Disabilities Association of America.

According to a comprehensive U.S. government study on how children learn to read, a combination of educational methods is the most effective way to teach children to read. These methods include teaching phonics-making sure that the beginning reader understands how letters are linked to sounds (phonemes) to form words. Guided oral reading, in which the student reads aloud with guidance and feedback, is also important for developing reading fluency. The child must clearly understand the instructions being given, and the instructions must be repeatable or systematic in order to improve the child's reading abilities.3

Depending on the severity of your child's dyslexia, you may want to have a teacher's aide or tutor available to help your child with schoolwork.

If school staff members suggest that your child be held back a grade (grade retention), talk to your doctor or another professional about your options. Grade retention may not help your child any better than other methods.

Previously, it was thought that covering one eye helped children with dyslexia read better. But the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Ophthalmology found this type of treatment is ineffective because dyslexia is caused by altered brain function and not by altered visual function. It is important to know dyslexia is a lifelong condition. Even though early treatment during childhood can help, your child will likely always have to make an extra effort to read.

Over the years, parents ave developed other ways of helping their dyslexic children: 1. Texture Spelling - Have your child write the word in crayon, puff paint, sand or glitter glue, and
go over the word, spelling it out loud as they go.

2. Sound Hopscotch - Find an empty space large enough for a child to jump or run. Then, you
can draw a few boxes with letters on the floor using the chalk, like the example here. Tell the child that you will call out the sound (not the letter name). For example, do you have 'm', do you have 's'? The child has to respond by jumping into the correct box when he or she hears the sound. Play until the all of the letters are done and rewards the child each time he or she jumps into the correct box. Praise the child at the end of the game.

3. Left and right shoes - A simple way for all kids with and without dyslexia for shoes right and
left sides is to simply put an arrow in the bottom with a sharpie pointing toward each other for the correct way to put them on. Silver sharpies work for black color bottoms.

4. Learning spelling and tables in the car 5. Reading to the animals 6. Using a white board
7. Telling a dyslexic child the words they cannot read yet 8. Reading aloud for your dyslexic child