Overcoming Dyslexia

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/dyslexia

Introduction

### Course Review: Overcoming Dyslexia **Overview:** The "Overcoming Dyslexia" course offered on Coursera stands out as a vital resource for anyone seeking to understand dyslexia—a condition that affects countless children and adults worldwide. Designed by Dr. Sally Shaywitz, a renowned expert in the field of learning development, this course aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical knowledge for those affected by dyslexia. Its comprehensive approach not only educates participants about the condition itself but empowers them with tools and strategies to foster resilience, success, and self-advocacy for individuals with dyslexia. **Course Content:** 1. **What is Dyslexia?** This foundational module introduces dyslexia, detailing its definition and historical context. Participants are guided through the nuances of reading processes, helping them to understand the specific challenges faced by dyslexic readers compared to their non-dyslexic peers. The emphasis on modern research makes this section particularly enlightening. 2. **Screening, Evaluating, and Diagnosing Dyslexia:** In this module, learners gain insight into the signs and symptoms of dyslexia. Dr. Shaywitz discusses how to identify dyslexia in oneself or in children, making this segment invaluable for parents and educators. The analysis of cognitive deficits versus overall strengths empowers adults and caregivers to appreciate the full scope of capabilities often present in dyslexic individuals. 3. **Effective Interventions for Young Children:** This module focuses on actionable strategies and evidence-based interventions for supporting dyslexic children. It covers crucial techniques like phonemic awareness and phonics instruction, as well as methods to nurture a child's self-esteem—a key factor in their educational journey. 4. **Choosing the Right School for Your Dyslexic Child:** Parents are provided with vital information on educational options tailored for dyslexic students. The course looks at public versus private schools and specialized institutions, enabling families to make informed decisions regarding their child’s educational environment. 5. **Preparing for College and Adulthood:** Through inspiring case studies of successful dyslexics, this module illustrates the journey from childhood through adolescence into adulthood. It emphasizes resilience and leveraging strengths, providing a hopeful outlook for students with dyslexia. 6. **Comorbid Conditions:** Understanding the link between dyslexia and other conditions like anxiety and ADHD is crucial. This module breaks down the complexities of these co-occurring disorders and highlights effective treatment strategies—an essential aspect for parenting and teaching dyslexic individuals. 7. **Assistive Technologies and Accommodations:** This technical module focuses on the role of technology in supporting dyslexic students. It discusses various tools and accommodations that enhance learning outcomes and life experiences for dyslexics across educational and professional landscapes. 8. **The Law:** Knowledge of legal protections is vital for advocating for those with dyslexia. This module covers federal statutes and their implications for educational interventions, highlighting the importance of legal rights and advocacy within the schooling system. **Recommendation:** I wholeheartedly recommend the "Overcoming Dyslexia" course for educators, parents, and anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of dyslexia and learn how to support individuals impacted by it. Dr. Shaywitz’s expertise shines through every module, offering learners both foundational knowledge and practical strategies. The course's comprehensive and compassionate approach equips attendees with the confidence to advocate for dyslexic individuals effectively, fostering an environment where they can thrive both academically and socially. The course is incredibly well-structured, rich in information, and easily accessible, making it suitable for a wide audience—from those new to the subject to seasoned professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of dyslexia. By completing this course, you not only empower yourself but also contribute to a more inclusive and understanding society for individuals with dyslexia. Enroll now on Coursera and take the first step towards making a positive difference in the lives of dyslexic learners!

Syllabus

What is Dyslexia?

In module one, we’ll cover the basics. What is dyslexia? What is reading? How does a dyslexic reader differ from an “automatic” reader? We’ll take some time to talk about the 100+ year history of dyslexia and reveal how much progress modern science has made in understanding what goes on in the brain of a dyslexic reader.

How does one know if they, or their child, is dyslexic? Module two examines the origin of the difficulties in dyslexia: getting to the sounds of spoken language. . We’ll talk about the paradox of dyslexia: a circumscribed deficit in decoding surrounded by a sea of strengths in higher cognitive function. We’ll examine when, how, and why to begin screening and testing children for dyslexia and what signs primary caretakers and teachers should be on the lookout for in their children and students at risk for dyslexia.

Here we examine the many facets of providing the most effective interventions for dyslexic children. Included are interventions for the beginning reader such as teaching phonemic awareness and phonics. Teaching fluency, vocabulary and comprehension follow as well as strategies that encourage and preserve the child’s self-esteem. Throughout we emphasize the critical importance of employing evidence-based interventions.

We survey and examine public schools, independent schools and schools specialized for dyslexia and when parents of dyslexic children might consider changing their child’s current school. The pros and cons of each type are examined with an emphasis on choosing a school where the climate for dyslexic children is welcoming. Two private independent schools and a public charter school specialized for dyslexia are examined In depth, focusing not only on their reading programs but how these specialized schools preserve and protect the dyslexic child’s self-esteem, promising and most often fulfilling the dyslexic graduate with an opportunity to succeed in high school, college and in life.

Here we use life histories of dyslexic individuals to illustrate how despite their difficulty in reading, by using their sea of strengths and incredible resilience, dyslexics can and do succeed in a wide range of careers and professions. Beginning in adolescence, a focus on academics and organizational skills paves the way to success in college and their perseverance and creativity auger well for their success in the workplace. Through the stories of successful dyslexics we emphasize how critical it is that dyslexic children and young adults know that they can succeed and should be encouraged by their parents, teachers and guidance counselors to pursue their dreams.

Anxiety and ADHD are the most common comorbid disorders co-occurring with dyslexia, anxiety observed in nearly all and ADHD seen in half of children and adults with dyslexia. Through two case histories the subtypes of anxiety (including social anxiety and panic disorder) and the subtypes of ADHD (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, combined) as well as their symptoms are reviewd. Effective pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions (cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT, and mindfulness) are reviewed. We emphasize the critical importance of recognizing and treating comorbid anxiety and ADHD in the child and adult with dyslexia.

Dyslexic students and dyslexic adults have come to depend on using technology within a framework of critical accommodations to allow them to succeed not only in school but in their careers and professions. We focus as well on the use of text to speech technology and the accommodation of partial waivers for the foreign language requirement in college and graduate school. In particular we review the rationale including the neural basis for the life-changing accommodation of extra time, especially critical for high stakes, gate-keeper standardized tests.

In these lessons we note the federal definition of dyslexia as “an unexpected difficulty in reading for an individual who has the intelligence to be a much better reader” and review three relevant federal statutes affecting interventions and accommodations for dyslexic students: IDEA, ADAAA, and section 504. We note the concept of condition, manner and duration as detailed in the ADAAA and in the DOJ Final Regulations of that law. We review how the ADAAA has been applied in cases of dyslexic medical and law students requesting accommodations and how dyslexic applicants for high stakes standardized tests no longer suffer the effects of flagging their scores as invalid.