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Understanding Dyslexia and More

Text, Understand DYS, DYSlexia, DYSpraxia, DYScalculia, DYSgraphia, DYSnomiaWe created this page to share videos, books, resources, ideas, information and more to help all of us learn more about and understand Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia and Dysnomia. 
The prefix ‘dys’ means that something is impaired or found to be difficult. In terms of learning, cognition and development in children, conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and dysnomia are neurological disorders of the brain. They can be caused by injury, but most commonly are developmental difficulties. 

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  • Text Through your child's eyes, on a dark background with abstract shapesThrough Your Child's Eyes from Understood.org
     What does it feel like to learn and think differently? Watch videos from Understood.org to see the world through your child’s eyes. Kids of different ages talk about how it feels to learn and think differently — and what helps them thrive. Hear from kids as they explain their struggles with reading, writing, math and more with advice and insights from experts. 

    YouTube video screenshot with the text, Dysgraphia DiSTOrtedAndINCORRecThANDwRITInGSigns & Symptoms of Learning Disorders | Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyspraxia | Animated
    Learning disorders (LDs) are a group of disorders that inhibit the brain’s ability to receive, process, store, respond to, and communicate information. Most students with learning disorders have average to above-average intelligence but often process information differently than others, leading to issues in the classroom. LDs affect as many as 1 in 5 people in the U.S. and contribute not only to difficulties in academic performance but also in developing self-esteem and interpersonal relationships. Learn more about the signs and types of learning disorder -- dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia -- in this whiteboard video from Brain Balance Achievement Centers.

    Photo of Christian Boer presenting his TED TalkTedTalk: How a font can help people with dyslexia to read with presenter Christian Boer
    It's very rare that graphic design can relieve a medical problem, but this is one such case.  Take a brief tour through the world of dyslexia, as Christian Boer shows how conventional typography produces text that is hard for dyslexics to read.  Then he demonstrates clearly how his innovation sidesteps the usual stumbling blocks - making a potentially life-changing improvement for millions. Christian Boer has dyslexia and is a graphic designer. For his graduation project he developed a typeface for people with dyslexia called Dyslexie. (See Online Resources below for information on the font.)

    Screenshot of a video call between two peopleWhat is Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia and Dysnomia?
    "Ok, I know that I was very confused about all of these D's.  Have you ever wanted to know what they meant and how they connected with ADHD? Patty DeDurr is a physical therapist’s assistance. She is also an advocate and a new author.  She has been diagnosed with ADHD about 20 years ago. She talks about dyslexia, dysgraphia, dysnomia, dyscalculia, and dyspraxia.  She talks about what are the differences are and from a high level what can people do to help with these different diagnoses".

    The Video Vault, free Orton-Gillingham videos on a variety of topics​​​​​​​The Literacy Nest Video Vault: Have you checked out the video vault yet?
    If you’re looking for Orton-Gillingham videos or to find ideas for your reading instruction, this is a great resource for you!
    🎥 You'll find videos on topics including Morphology, using decodable books, game ideas, teaching grammar, and more!

  • Cover of the book Using Creativity to Address Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia: Assessments and Techniques By Fredricka Reisman, Lori SeverinoUsing Creativity to Address Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia: Assessments and Techniques By Fredricka Reisman, Lori Severino
    Designed to help educators recognize and nurture students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, this book guides readers through best practices for using creativity theory and strategies to address the learning challenges for students who have difficulty in acquiring literacy and mathematics content.

  • Text  Free download, IDA Dyslexia Handbook what every family should know, with screen shots of the publicationIDA Dyslexia Handbook

    If your life has been impacted by Dyslexia or you work with someone with Dyslexia, you'll want to check out this FREE handbook. This 36-page document has information on the characteristics of Dyslexia, teaching approaches, recommended readings, and much more.

  • Dyslexie ont.comAn infographic on how dyslexia can change out letters look, and why Dyslexie Font is effectiveDyslexia Friendly Font:
    Dyslexie font is a typeface – specially designed for people with dyslexia – which enhances the ease of reading and comprehension.

    Silhouette of an adult talking to several students, with the text The EdvocateDyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dysnomia, Dyslexia, and Dyspraxia: What are the differences? By Matthew Lynch
     "In my past life as a special education teacher, I worked with a variety of special needs students. These students were all unique, and so were their learning disabilities. As experts in the field, special education teachers are charged with providing classroom teachers and education administrators with information about the disabilities that their students were faced with. Among my favorite learning disabilities to discuss were dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dysnomia, dyslexia, and dyspraxia. Why? Because they are the hardest disabilities to explain, and since I loved a challenge, I enjoyed taking these complex disabilities and making it easy for people to understand them. In this piece, I will discuss the learning disabilities of dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dysnomia, dyslexia, and dyspraxia."

    Text innovate my schoolUnderstanding Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia by Julia Sharman, Education Adviser and Support Teacher. 
    Julia Sharman has over 25 years teaching experience with specialist areas in education health needs, SEND and mental health. 

  • Logo for ClaroSpeakClaroSpeak is a reading and writing app with high-quality text-to-speech, formatting controls, a wide range of fonts and styles and cloud storage integration. It can help neurodiverse students to achieve more
    with reading and writing.

  • Collage of headshots of famous people with DyslexiaMany people throughout history have had dyslexia. Here are some articles telling us about famous people, their lives and accomplishments:

    http://www.dyslexia-unlocked.com.au/famous-dyslexics/

    https://icyhealth.com/11-famous-people-with-dyslexia/

    https://www.webmd.com/children/ss/slideshow-celebrities-dyslexia

  • The International Dyslexia Association logoThe International Dyslexia Association Long Island Branch (IDALIB) 
    The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is an organization focused on the complex issues of dyslexia and related language-based learning disabilities which make it difficult to learn to read and write. Since its incorporation in 1974, the Long Island Branch of IDA (IDALIB) has served as a resource and support system for individuals with dyslexia, parents of children with language-based learning disabilities, and involved professionals living and/or working in the New York City/Long Island area. Affiliates include individuals with dyslexia, parents, educators, administrators, psychologists, physicians, speech/language pathologists, advocates, attorneys, and others.

    An open purple book with a plant growing out of it, with the text Reading. For Life. Literacy NassauLiteracy Nassau is a Long Island-based not-for profit organization that makes literacy services accessible to disadvantaged populations of all ages by providing donation-based language-building programs.