I am a parent of a dyslexic student. I have gained a great deal of knowledge about dyslexia. I am seeing some conflicting suggestions on your website when I was looking at giving a teacher some suggestions from the website.

To my knowledge, activities like crossword and find-a-words are not always suggested because of the processing speed it requires. Eye tracking can be an issue for dyslexics, as well.

I am trying to work with my daughter’s teacher on some appropriate and viable options for brain breaks, activity sheets and testing models, like using a word bank instead of fill-in the blank. Your organization is highly regarded.

Can you please point me in the direction of where you received this recommendation? Is there evidence based research?

DyslexiaHelp launched in 2010. I’m not sure which piece you are referring to, but nothing has gone or goes up on the website without my review. Our goal is to have evidence-based information for our site users.

Activities involving crossword puzzles and word searches can reinforce skills taught in intervention (e.g., spelling patterns, vocabulary). These are not timed, so I am not sure why processing speed would get in the way. Crossword puzzles are a great way to build or reinforce vocabulary. That said, I’m not sure that they would be a “brain break” for a dyslexic, so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend them as that. I would say “additional practice.” And, always, these should be done at a level where a student can achieve success. I have a few of my dyslexic clients who actually LOVE word searches, “sleuth” puzzles that require spelling, Mad Libs, and other similar word-based activities. We do these together, so they have my support on them.

I hope that helps clarify. Let me know if you have other questions.