Failure, frustration, stigma: what if we found an alternative for the thousands of children who suffer from it? Indeed, dyslexia is not, as was long believed, the consequence of an educational defect, deficient intelligence, or even less of a psychological blockage, but rather a particularity of the brain. Today, this “disorder” is better understood and taken into account. There is still a long way to go. Diagnosis is important, but it should not be made lightly.
We still hear too often “my child is gifted, ADHD, DYS, etc.” But is he really? At a time when neuroscience is taking a closer look at education , let’s give more access to information to best assist parents, education professionals and children on the path to better self-knowledge.
Beyond their labels, atypical children share strengths, weaknesses, and specific needs. How can we best understand and support them?
What are DYS disorders?
They include all deficits in cognitive functions, manifesting themselves, in most cases, by learning disorders, regardless of normal intellectual capacity. Among DYS disorders, we find: dyslexia, dysorthography, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, dysphasia, as well as attention disorders.
The first signs of DYS disorders appear in particular when there are difficulties in the first acquisitions from primary school, and persist despite the measures taken to remedy them. Symptoms can include significant difficulty speaking, reading, writing or drawing.
Some disorders can also result in a significant inability to concentrate.
1- Communicate
This is probably the key point! You must first talk to the students and establish a climate of trust. If the child feels comfortable with you, they will be able to participate in class or tell you when they don’t understand what you are asking.
The emotional aspect is dominant among dyslexic students. If they realize that you care about them, they will become involved.
You also need to talk to the family. They are likely suffering just as much as the child, and taking this distress into account is essential. The family and the professionals who support the child must work together to ensure the student can progress.
You are not alone, and it is important to be aware of this: talk with colleagues, the school doctor, the psychologist, the main education advisor, the child’s speech therapist, the professionals who follow the child… So many resource people who can give you ideas and find solutions with you.
2- Anticipate
It’s best to have resources in advance or differentiate and anticipate your students’ needs. Don’t get stuck if you feel the proposed activity isn’t suitable. Indeed, from one session to the next, the child may be tired, upset, or even angry and may not be receptive to a group activity.
It’s not a waste of time to isolate a student to have them do different exercises. They’ll appreciate the investment, and you’ll feel more at ease. While it certainly requires organization, if you do it gradually, it will become an integral part of your teaching habits.
3- Test
With dyslexic students, no idea is a bad one. There is no magic formula that would work for all children with this disorder. They are, above all, human beings with their own personal sensitivities and mechanisms. Instructions are not provided.
So you have to try! With this type of atypical student, don’t hesitate to think outside the box of traditional teaching, where the student sits quietly in their chair while the teacher stands facing the class. Change the layout of the tables, incorporate rituals, or even offer differentiated and independent activities. The possibilities are endless. Dare!
4- Adapt
Many times, you will need to adapt your materials: space them out to make them clearer and focus the student’s attention, cut out the exercises and staple them to present one task at a time, enlarge the document to make it more readable, highlight essential information, etc. These are all simple adjustments that can be suggested and thus reassure the student who will feel taken into account and will be able to give the best of themselves.
5- Trust yourself
You are a professional, and you possess skills that are sometimes unsuspected. Dealing with atypical students and children will become part of our daily lives. They have always been there, but they went undetected. Fortunately, they are now.
