Definitions
Dyslexia: Dyslexia refers to a cluster of symptoms, which result in people having difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading. Students with dyslexia usually experience difficulties with other language skills such as spelling, writing, and pronouncing words. (International Dyslexia Association)
Dysgraphia: Dysgraphia can include difficulty holding pencils and forming letters correctly. For kids with dysgraphia, writing may be really tiring and even painful for their hands. Cognitive challenges include struggling with spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and overall written expression. A child with dysgraphia might have a hard time translating their ideas onto paper. (Child Mind Institute)
Dyscalculia: Dyscalculia encompasses a wide range of learning disabilities related to math.
- difficulty learning to count or have a poor memory for numbers
- trouble writing numbers, finding correct place values, and lining up equations
- challenge remembering math facts
- difficulty understanding numbers, math symbols, and word problems.
Nemours KidsHealth
I am Dyslexic
A young dyslexic child falls into a world made entirely out of books. Alone in the environment, he is forced to climb a mountain representing the education system. The animated short film I AM DYSLEXIC expresses what it feels like to have a learning difference in our current school system. Those with learning differences should be proud of who they are and should never be made to feel alone. The film uses strong metaphors to portray these emotions, as we follow a little boy on his journey to climb a mountain in a world made of books.
The True Gifts of a Dyslexic Mind
In this inspiring talk, advocate and educator Dean Bragonier offers a different take on Dyslexia. By looking at the unique mindset of Dyslexics as a strength, Dean reframes a perceived weakness as a powerful tool and teaches us all an important lesson about the power of an open mind and an open heart. Dean Bragonier is a social entrepreneur in the EdTech space. Shaped by the challenges associated with his dyslexia, Dean became an advocate for learning and disability equality and has founded, managed and served on the boards of organizations working to create systemic change in this field.
Supporting Students with Dyslexia
While there’s not a lot of research on dysgraphia yet, there are a few signs you should look out for, and some evidence-based tactics to help kids with the writing condition.
What is Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia refers to a wide range of lifelong learning disabilities involving math. Listen to Dr. Horowitz talk about dyscalculia and the different elements of dyscalculia.
What is Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia, what does it mean? What are the symptoms of dysgraphia?What can you as a parent do to help your child lead a normal life with dysgraphia? Find answers to these questions, and more, in this insightful video.
Dyscalculia and the Montessori Method
For many years, educators have been aware of children who have language difficulties or disorders. What many of us may not realize is that children may also have math disorders. In fact, the American Psychological Association classifies Dyscalculia as a math disorder in the DSM-IV. Recent research suggests that up to 7% of students are affected by severe learning disabilities in math .
Dyscalculia goes beyond math anxiety. Children with Dyscalculia may have difficulties with calculation, understanding mathematical concepts, application with word problems, mathematical language, or even with number and symbol recognition.
Books about the “Dyses”
The Dyslexic Advantage (Eide)
The Teacher who Couldn’t Read (Corcoran)
Dysgraphia: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Dysgraphica (Brant)
Books for Children
The Fantastic Elastic Brain (Deak)
Back to Front and Upside Down (Alexander)
I have Dyslexia: What does the Mean (Ball-Dannenburg)
The Alphabet War (Robb)
Writing Right (Cassandra Baker)