Having dyslexia and being in education isn’t the easiest thing – although some people really vibe with the atmosphere and love getting back to their books, many people with literacy differences might feel a bit out of their depth and stressed in an environment that puts so much emphasis on reading.
That’s why it’s important to make sure that learners who have dyslexia are getting the support that they need. This is often in the form of interventions and adaptations that can make the learning environment an easier one to be in. These can be a simple as bringing in in-person reading support, or switching out learning materials for specially adapted ones. There are also a huge number of assistive technology systems and solutions designed to make the reading experience easier for people, from text-to-speech browser extensions to entire gamified learning platforms that are designed to spot and support dyslexia early on.
But this September, we’re not focusing on the big changes that you can make as you or somebody in your life returns to the classroom. There’s lots of literature about that out there already, and your institution is always a great first port of call when it comes to finding out what’s available and what works for you – as ever, the best thing to do if you or somebody you know is struggling with reading in an educational setting is chat to your educators and assistance personnel. But there are lots of smaller things that you can implement and do too, especially if the thought of a new school year full of books and reading is making you a little nervous – and that’s what we’re focusing on today.
✔️ Create a reading support toolbox
There are a number of tech solutions and devices that can make the reading experience for somebody with dyslexia a lot more accessible. These are things that can be easily added into the reading experience, and may allow readers to go forward with much more confidence, feeling supported and perhaps even foster a lifelong love of books and reading. These can be low-tech solutions like reading windows, reading slopes and thumb grips to mid- and high-tech solutions like Text-to-Speech technology, ReaderPens and eReaders. You can find out more about these handy reading kits here, at Succeed With Dyslexia’s blog on Creating a Reading Support Toolbox.
✔️ Pack out your pencil case!
As well as all the goodies that you can cram into a reading support toolbox, there are actually a lot of stationery solutions that can lend a helping hand when it comes to taking on education with dyslexia. Things like highlighters and coloured transparent index tabs can be a great tool when used to mark words that a reader is struggling with, as this can help identify what’s difficult and what isn’t at a glance. Things like different pens and writing options can also make the writing side of the classroom return feel a little easier too – look for balanced pens with comfy grips, or individual grips that you can slide onto pens and pencils.
✔️ Get organised for learning
Some people with dyslexia have problems with their working memory- an executive function that’s important for learning, and it means they might retain information in different ways or struggle to retain it to the same degree as their peers. Looking at different ways of note-taking like using recording devices can be a big help, as can asking educators for written instructions when being assigned a task – it’s all about finding what works for you.
People with dyslexia can also have issues with planning and organisation, which in high school and college can be quite a problem when you’ve got a hundred and one things to remember (Sports kit? Cooking ingredients? Hockey stick? Art portfolio?)… and it’s difficult to stay on top sometimes! Having an organiser app or week-to-view notebook on the go can help when it comes to noting down what you need to remember each day, and it provides a handy one-stop document for everything for your timetable info and tutor meetings to homework and extra-curriculars.
✔️ Keep track of what’s tricky…
Believe it or not, just keeping track of what’s tricky and what isn’t can actually help you find targeted solutions that work for you. You might feel sometimes that it’s the whole act of reading that just isn’t your vibe, but it helps to take a closer look. Sometimes, reading might feel easier than others. Is it when you’re sitting somewhere that isn’t at your desk? Creating a reading den at home or reading on comfortable, relaxed seating in school or college can sometimes make a lot of difference when it comes to dealing with the reading anxiety that can come with dyslexia. Do books with bigger type feel easier to read; is it easier when books are lain flat on the table and not held at an angle in your hands? Keeping track of all these little things can actually help you recognise what works to create a way of reading that helps you focus and feel more relaxed.
✔️ …And celebrate the wins!
Going back into education in September isn’t ever as easy as all the ‘back to school’ promotions in the media and in the shops make it seem – it’s actually pretty stressful for educators, parents, carers and students alike. A new year is full of new challenges, and for some it could mean a return to reading anxiety, feeling like they’re lagging behind their peers, and generally feeling isolated and left out due to literacy differences. That’s why as well as opening up and reaching out for support, it’s also important to celebrate the wins. Completed the first week back in lectures? That calls for a self-care evening of pizza and box sets. Managed to move up a reading level, or got through a book that would have seemed insurmountably difficult a term or two ago? That warrants a treat day for us. Although it might seem like common sense, being able to associate these little milestones with positivity is just as important as the bigger ones, like passing an exam or receiving a grade.
To everybody returning to education this week (or later on for colleges and university campuses), good luck from us all at SWD – it’s going to be an exciting term, and hopefully a little less disrupted than the last few.