Supporting Lifelong Literacy for Those Learning with Dyslexia
As someone learning with dyslexia, you may find challenges inside the classroom and out. Dyslexia is a lifelong conditionthat takes time to process and find a learning strategy that works best for you and your abilities. It is important to remember that you are not alone in living with this condition. There are millions of people who have dyslexia, making it the most common learning disability in the United States. Looking to peers, teachers, and parents for motivation and encouragement along with educational support tools, are the best recipe for success.
Strategies for Living with Dyslexia
Finding a passion in life is essential for anyone to thrive, especially for those living with dyslexia. There are many strategies available that support lifelong literacy for people who have dyslexia whether you are still in school or entering the workforce, including:
Relying on Logic Instead of Memorization: For those living with dyslexia, memorization is a huge component of success, especially when it comes to test taking. If a question doesn’t recall a specific memory, don't worry! Look to using logic to choose the best answer if you are ever unsure.
Doing Homework in a Quiet Place: Oftentimes, completing assignments come with difficulties for learners who have dyslexia. Picking a consistent and quiet spot to work on schoolwork helps reduce the stressful feelings that come along with schoolwork challenges.
Using Literacy Technology In and Out of the Classroom: Utilizing educational technology, like kurzweil 3000, allows students with dyslexia to keep up with peers in the classroom and be successful outside of school with assignments and readings. The integrated features provide the support you need to excel with common difficulties like reading, spelling, and the writing process.
Taking Your Time: Completing assignments and other tasks at your own pace allows you to get a better grasp of the materials and see concepts from multiple angles.
The Benefits of Using Literacy Technology to Support Your Learning with Dyslexia
There are so many benefits to using assistive technology to better support your learning in and out of the classroom environment. These educational tools help learners with dyslexia by using a 365° approach to help tackle common difficulties you face, by:
Allowing for All Materials to be Digital: Organizing assignments, handouts, and other paperwork can
be challenging for students who have dyslexia. You can streamline all your schoolwork and resources by using
Kurzweil 3000’s online library as a digital hub—or access materials saved in Google Drive with one click.
Providing a Platform to Take Tests On: Routine and standardized tests can be a source of stress for those with dyslexia. The ability to test at your own pace, either by changing the text-to-speech speed and re-reading questions as many times as you need, allows you to be more independent.
Helping with the Writing Process: Dyslexia is categorized by difficulty processing written and oral language. Assistive technology helps support those challenges by providing software that helps check spelling as you are working, laying out thoughts while writing a paper, and taking notes using talking word processor support.