The Urgency Behind Dyslexia Interventions
Sunday, June 25, 2023 by Catherine Gilliland | Dyslexia Support
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"Dyslexia is a persistent, chronic condition, and … it does not represent a temporary lag in reading development," (Shaywitz, 34-5). These claims, substantiated by significant scientific research, answer three long-term questions: whether parents and educators should be concerned about temporary snags in a child's reading development, whether there is a real importance to identifying dyslexia in children early on, and what is the exigency for ensuring a dyslexic reader receives the interventions.
"The differences in reading between typical and dyslexic readers not only appear as early as first grade but, importantly, persist through adolescence. … [D]yslexic readers do not catch up (emphasis added) with typical readers primarily due to large differences observed as early as first grade. (Shaywitz, 35) Thus, every conscientious parent and educator will recognize the value of early dyslexia screening and the implementation of immediate, evidence-based interventions. Early screenings and immediate intervention are the only way the persistent reading achievement gap between dyslexic and typical readers will be diminished.
If time is of the essence, how can parents identify the possibility of dyslexia? Dyslexia is an unexpected difficulty in reading. Individuals with dyslexia do not have a concurrent deficit in IQ. Sometimes dyslexics can be gifted. In other words, your child can be incredibly bright and be an unexpectedly slow reader. Kids are also masters at masking their struggles in reading and will develop personal coping skills for their phonological deficits. Still, there are early warning signs that can belie looming reading challenges. Parents are wise to note the following:
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delays in learning to speak
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persistent pronunciation difficulties
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difficulties in detecting rhyme
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confusion with words that sound alike
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'jumbling' up words when speaking
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word retrieval struggles
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becoming that 'quiet child' or exhibiting a hesitation to speak
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habitual use of words that lack specificity
Parents just learning about the persistent gap in reading abilities between typical and dyslexic readers are justified to find this information alarming! Simply considering the long-term downstream effects of this gap is a reason for great pause. Sadly, there are often accompanying social-emotional hardships and other painful effects when dyslexia is not addressed early and seriously.
There is great news, however! First, research agrees that there can still be a bright future for dyslexic readers. The positive results of securing evidence-based intervention from a trained interventionist early in a child's life are well documented. Participating in that instruction frequently and consistently can facilitate mastery of reading fluency, comprehension, and spelling skills. Self-esteem usually increases; former socio-emotional challenges often slowly clear up.
Possibly of greatest importance are the outcomes resulting from dyslexic readers walking the path required for learning to read fluently: growing personally as they develop skills of diligence, endurance, and teamwork to overcome their dyslexia. Their dyslexia often becomes their superpower! Simultaneously, these individuals become fluent readers and specially equipped to face life's other challenges with tenacity and grit, proven skills in problem-solving, and a can-do attitude that, when embraced, will equip them for success for the rest of their lives.
Shaywitz, Sally and Jonathan Shaywitz. Overcoming Dyslexia, Second Edition, Sheldon Press, 2020, London. (34-35).
Are There Benefits to Learning In the Outdoors?
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 by Catherine Gilliland | Outdoor Learning
Outdoor learning refers to education occurring outside the traditional classroom. Research documents that student learning benefits soar when lessons are received outside. Known benefits of working and learning in the great outdoors include increased natural energy, boosted mood, increases in problem-solving skills, reduced stress, better health, and enhanced teamwork. How do these benefits arise?
Optimal learning is thought to occur when the particular psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness are met. Not surprisingly, these needs are also directly related to personal motivation. Several studies prove that participating in outdoor learning activities increasingly fulfills these precursors to motivation.
Autonomy applied to learning involves the idea that learners embrace personal responsibility for their learning, and instructors support that autonomy. Inherent to working and learning outside, kids possess more autonomy in their decisions, thus breaking up the boredom that often accompanies seated desk work. When one judges their own actions as related to and effective in facilitating personally desired outcomes, they simultaneously realize their own competency. With increased competency, personal satisfaction rises and fuels future learning initiatives. Outdoor learning teaches kids to have a growth mindset, fostering confidence and resilience. Working outside connects kids with nature. Being present out-of-doors promotes a sense of belonging absent in indoor environments and supports the value of a caring disposition for the environment along with the plants and animals that we share with it.
A nourishing sense of relaxation is promoted as one spends time in the open air. Not only have reduced cortisol levels in outdoor learners been observed by researchers, but it is well understood that few individuals learn effectively in a regularly stressful environment, nor retain new knowledge in that un-relaxed state. Learning in a green space eliminates many typical classroom stressors, promoting a learning environment well-suited to our innate physiological learning needs. What is the conclusion? Whenever possible, take learning activities outside. When impractical or impossible, replicate as many of the advantages of outdoor learning in your indoors teaching and studying environments.
For more information:
The Benefits of Learning Outdoors | Psychology Today
The Benefits of Studying Outside vs. Inside (uagc.edu)
Outdoor Learning: Benefits, Things to Consider (verywellmind.com)
The Role of Teacher Autonomy Support on Students’ Academic Engagement and Resilience - PMC (nih.gov)
Experiential High School & Gap Year | High Mountain Institute (hminet.org)
Three particular psychological needs motivating learning are all present when study occurs outside the four walls of traditional schools.
