Ask Dr. Pierson and Dyslexia Reflections

De-MYTH-tifying Dyslexia Diagnostic Assessment

Dyslexia is a complex condition that can present differently in individual cases. This complexity can often lead to misinformation surrounding the process of assessment. This article explores how clinicians diagnose Dyslexia and addresses some common myths about assessments.

Female speech language pathologist asking questions and elementary school student writing answers.

Structured Literacy: Setting the Stage for Student Literacy Success

The explicit and systematic instructional approach of Structured Literacy ensures students build their skills in each component area of literacy.

Finding Interests for Your Kids this Summer

two children explore woods with binoculars

Now that summer is here, the challenge for you as a parent is to create a summer program for your child that includes both summer therapy or tutoring, as well as some fun!

Here are Dr. Pierson's tips that can help you to help them 'catch up' and/or maintain their skills while still enjoying your summer.

Promoting Reading Fluency

I received an inquiry from a school-based reading interventionist, who expressed that she felt confident in her use of Orton-Gillingham instruction and has seen positive results. But she wrote that she sees some students who continue to struggle with reading fluency. When asked to read longer passages, her students continue to make errors on function words, and they may skip lines or start to paraphrase. These same students often do better with fluency at the level of the phrase or sentence.

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Sifting through the Mire: Finding Reliable Intervention

As the school year winds down, I receive an influx of questions via DyslexiaHelp and in my private clinical practice from parents relative to deciding on summer program options for their child with dyslexia or other language-based learning disabilities.

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10 Tips for Improving and/or Maintaining Your Child’s Language and Literacy Skills this Summer

Summer is an ideal time to work on improving skills, but it is also equally important that our students have a much-needed break from the challenges associated with school, particularly after this year of virtual learning. Here are 10 tips to consider as you plan your child's summer activities.

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Don't Delay, Intervene Today

I have written about “going with your gut” when parents have concerns about their child’s literacy learning, particularly reading and spelling.

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Go with Your Gut

Parents are usually right about their kids. If yours is not achieving in school, RTI is not the only answer.

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Dr. Pierson Asks

In my “Ask Dr. Pierson” column, I typically write about a dyslexia-related issue that has been asked of me by one of you. This month, I am turning that around to “Dr. Pierson Asks.” I am asking you to help.

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The Games People (Should) Play

It is that time of year when many of us are buying gifts for our kids. And, while they may be asking for the latest electronic game, we should not forget the wealth of people-powered games that are out there that can promote language and literacy learning while having fun.

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Top 10 Tips for Teachers to Help Students in the Classroom

As my clients are preparing to return to school—some excited, some not so much—I thought it timely to offer 10 tips for teachers to create an environment that will increase the likelihood of success for dyslexic students in the classroom.

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Keeping the Fish Out of the Tree: Strategies for Teachers

I was inspired to write this piece after reading A Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt (2015). The book (without giving it away for those of you who haven’t read it yet) tells the story of a sixth-grade girl who struggles because of dyslexia that goes undiagnosed until a wise teacher sees, and more importantly, fosters and celebrates her gifts, while teaching her to read.

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6 Tips for the Holiday Break

The holiday season is upon us and school’s out for winter break. Getting out of our routine can offer opportunity, as well as challenge. Here are some tips to deal with some of the challenges and embrace the opportunities.

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Keep Em Reading: The Importance of Audiobooks for Dyslexics

I am frequently asked whether my clients with dyslexia should only read text with their eyes – or should they be allowed to listen to text (sometimes called “reading with one’s ears”). To a person who is dyslexic, I recommend the use of text-to-speech software as an accommodation.

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Why Doesn’t My Child Qualify for Help in the Schools?

My child is clearly not achieving in school. Why doesn't he or she qualify for help?

I see many children and teens who evidence language or reading disorder, including dyslexia, and who are not deemed eligible for services in the public schools.

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Designing an Intensive Therapy Program

Suggestions for planning a course of action: I understand that as a parent it can be daunting and overwhelming when your child receives a diagnosis of dyslexia, language disability, or anything similar.

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The Pieces of a Dyslexia Diagnostic Assessment

Parents frequently ask me how a diagnosis of dyslexia is made. Recently, one parent questioned whether there was one test for dyslexia because she was told that an IQ test would be the sole test used to determine whether her son was dyslexic. In the past, intelligence tests were a part of the testing battery, but this is no longer the recommended practice. Here is an article from NIH that explains why we no longer use IQ for determining dyslexia. I suggested that the parent who inquired might consider sharing this article with her son’s team.

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Vision Therapy for Dyslexia: Smoke and Mirrors

I recently returned from the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) annual conference, which was excellent. One of the talks I attended was using Vision Therapy (VT) as a treatment for dyslexia. That same day I had a question from a parent on VT pop into my DyslexiaHelp in-box.

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Oral and Written Expression Skills and Poor Reading Comprehension

Study suggests poor reading comprehension impacts oral and written narrative abilities including understanding of narrative text structure, effective use of connectives, and strategies for communicating relevant information.

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Balancing Intervention with Summer Fun: Somewhere Between a Seal and a Juggler

It can be a real dilemma for you to balance your child’s summer fun and respite with continued dyslexia tutoring or therapy. You feel somewhere between a seal balancing that ball and a juggler keeping all those balls in the air!

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5 Tips to Get or Keep Kids Reading this Summer

Summer is in full swing around the country and for many of us that means it is time for our "summer reading." We’ve a bit more time to sit and relax with a good book. But, as those of us who live and work with dyslexics know, this may not be their idea of a good time.

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Syllable Division: New Data that Can Inform Intervention

Recent research efforts by Devin Kearns, Ph.D. of the University of Connecticut examine whether patterns of syllable division provide a meaningful benefit to learners in a clinical setting. Findings indicate that patterns may be less useful than previously thought and are best applied as a part of a well rounded clinical strategy.

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Avoid the Dyslexia Cure Merry-Go-Round and Stick to What Works

Before you invest your family’s time and money on what claims to be a quick, easy, and effective dyslexia intervention, be a good consumer and do your homework, starting with this article.

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Find their Gifts through Strengths and Interests

One of our goals on DyslexiaHelp is to increase understandings about the potential of those with dyslexia. This month we are featuring stories about engaging students in learning and building self-advocacy skills through topics of interest that utilize their strengths.

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First Step to Getting Your Child Help: A Diagnostic Assessment

It can be daunting to know what to do when you suspect or a teacher tells you that your child is struggling with literacy learning. For many parents, getting their child the right help is a new, dare I say, “adventure.” What should be your first step?

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Off to the Right Start! Direct, Explicit, and Systematic Instruction

Learning to read proves frustrating for far too many children. These evidence-based tips will help teachers promote effective reading instruction for all students.

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No-cost Gifts You Can Give Your Students this Year

The most precious gifts you can offer your dyslexic students won’t cost you a penny but can yield invaluable benefits in boosting their confidence and self-esteem while building a positive, productive classroom. Here are six no-cost “gift” ideas to help promote their success this year.

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Improving Reading Fluency

Reading fluency is key to learning and comprehension from written texts, which is the goal of reading. In order to optimize reading comprehension skills, we need to set realistic reading fluency goals for our students with dyslexia.

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The Gift that Keeps on Giving All Year Round

As we bring another year to a close, the minds of many of us turn to gift-giving. Thinking about this topic led me to realize that the perfect gift to give anyone (including ourselves) is the gift of time.

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March is Reading Month: Like a Field Day Might Feel for a Student in a Wheelchair

For a child coping with dyslexia, March is Reading Month might feel like more of a struggle than fun. In this article, 12-year old Zach shares his perspective and offers some suggestions on how to make the month more inclusive and fun for everyone.

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Lots of Learning Activities for Summer Stay-at-Home Fun

With school activities wrapping up for the year and summer approaching, parents are wondering how they might keep their families safe engaged, and entertained. We found a list of 125 great ideas from Parade magazine that promise to make this summer one to remember.

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Parents Share what Works for at-Home Learning

Until students get back to in-person learning, parents are going to have to continue to monitor their learning at home. Here are recommendations from parents of students with dyslexia for making your at-home school run more smoothly.

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Pushing Your Chips Across the Table

Dr. Pierson shares a short reflection about betting on the success of your students and the transformative power of praise.

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The Importance of Talking about Dyslexia

We need to keep having conversations with students to help them better understand their skills and needs as they grow and encounter new challenges with dyslexia.

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