Take your dyslexic child out of special education!!!!

[Morning]

I am hearing more and more people stating the following:

1. If you want your dyslexic child to read, take him/her out of special education.

2. If you want your dyslexic child to develop higher order thinking, take strong core curriuculum courses, take him/her out of special education.

3. If you want your dyslexic child to come out of the special educatoin bubble, take them out of special education!!

I am hearing this from administrators, parents and teachers. I have meeting people who refuse to put their kids in special education--and their dyslexic kids are doing well--it is not easy but they are getting the "respect" from a lot of teachers.

However, parents have a right to FAPE-NCLB for their child. It depends on the school system.

[mhagle57]

Hi there!!

I have been a teacher for almost 28 years. I have dyslexic siblings, two dyslexic children (ages 9 and 12), and many dyslexic students - most of whom are not officially identified.

In 2007, when our oldest was diagnosed at the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, a friend told me to read "Overcoming Dyslexia" by Dr. Shaywitz. This book turned the lights on for me, helping me understand my children, siblings, students, and myself - as a mildly dyslexic person. Wow!

I think the most significant concept that educators need to understand about dyslexia is . . . . . "Dyslexic students can learn to read, but they cannot read to learn." If schools would follow that simple phrase, it would change everything.

In my own little corner of the world, I am trying to do something about this by creating an online course that accommodates dyslexic children. I just started working on it several weeks ago, so it is still under construction. The content is an "Open Resource" - meaning that anyone is free to use it.

Check it out at: http://marilyn.hagle.com

I encourage other teachers to create dyslexia friendly classes as well.

Marilyn

[cleanupset]

Special educations is not a place but a tool used to teach and help achieve educational goals. Example, if you child is dyslexic they most likely are an auditory learn who has problems writing so having a note take would be a form of a special education accommodation. Another example of special education would be sending your child who has problems reading to a reading tutor 3 times a week in stead of taking a foreign language.

[Jill13]

I know this post is old but in case someone is reading this forum. Different school systems react differently to special education and dyslexia. I think making broad general sweeping statements can do more harm than help.

A parent needs to find out how much the school really understands dyslexia. How much does the special education staff understand it along with their teachers. Then understand what unique aspects make up your child's dyslexia. Getting an IEP is not the "cure" but it does help your student receive accommodations in the classroom. This can make a difference between a child who is totally turned off by school or one who feels good about school.

As the previous posted said it can be extra time on a test, it can be someone taking notes for them or the ability to have a computer to do work in elementary school.
I am also hearing more and more that the SAT's are starting to make accommodations for Dyslexics.

I hope other parents reading this understand that its about the accommodations and extra help, not the education itself.