Dyslexia is a developmental, neurobiological disorder. In other words, scientists have discovered subtle differences in the brain’s architecture between children with dyslexia and those without it. The good news is that children with dyslexia usually respond well to structured, intensive remediation, and the brain responds to intervention by following suit.
This terrible waste of talent must stop. But how can we teach these children without sapping their souls? After all, they do need to follow some rules and routines. I don’t have all the answers, but after forty years working— and living with— creative thinkers, I offer five suggestions:
Assistive technology, as applied to students with learning disabilities, can be seen as an “equalizer;” it allows students who learn differently to manage certain tasks that they are not able to perform without that specific technology. Assistive technology tools help learning disabled students work around challenges they face in school and at home by targeting the different academic areas they are struggling with.
There is no doubt that physical activity has positive physical and psychological benefits for children and adults. However, with an immeasurable amount of important items on the to-do list, finding the motivation to get up and get moving can feel all but stimulating. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) includes a host of behavioral and social factors that can make it even more difficult to facilitate exercise.
