DYSLEXIA REFLECTIONS

This article explores how clinicians diagnose Dyslexia and addresses some common myths about assessments.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Dr. Pierson's 10 tips for teachers to create an environment to increase the likelihood of success for dyslexic students in the classroom.

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.

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.

A comprehensive dyslexia evaluation combines assessments of oral language, phonological processing, reading, spelling, writing, memory, and vocabulary—no single test suffices, and IQ testing alone is no longer recommended.

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

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.