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Building A Culture That Supports Dyslexic Students

Mar 11, 2024

Empowering Dyslexic Students: Unleashing Their Full Potential

 In the realm of education, supporting dyslexic students to reach their full potential is both a noble pursuit and a rewarding endeavor. Dyslexia is often characterized by difficulties such as inaccurate decoding, slow reading, and spelling errors. While understanding these weaknesses is important in remediation and accommodations, embracing the unique strengths of dyslexic individuals can create a learning environment that fosters growth, resilience, and academic success.

Sea of Strengths Model of Dyslexia

Drs. Bennett and Sally Shaywitz of the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity developed the Sea of Strengths model of dyslexia.

Individuals with dyslexia often exhibit strengths in the following areas:


  • Critical Thinking
  • Problem Solving
  • Reasoning
  • Concept Formation

One school that embraces the sea of strengths model of dyslexia is Louisiana Key Academy (LKA), a free public charter school for dyslexic students. Drs. Bennett and Sally Shaywitz acknowledge LKA as a best practice model dyslexic individuals. The school builds a culture that celebrates its students with dyslexia by not only providing evidence based remediation and accommodations, but also fortifying the students’ strengths, resulting in dyslexic students reaching their fullest potential.

Louisiana Key Academy: A Beacon of Empowerment

Louisiana Key Academy (LKA), a pioneering public charter school dedicated to dyslexic students, exemplifies the principles of the Sea of Strengths model in action. Recognized by leading experts in dyslexia research, including Drs. Bennett and Sally Shaywitz, LKA prioritizes the cultivation of students' strengths alongside targeted interventions and accommodations.


At LKA, educators undergo extensive training and professional development through the Dyslexia Resource Center. This immersive experience equips teachers with evidence-based instruction and best practices for supporting dyslexic learners. Through collaborative workshops, feedback sessions, and ongoing mentorship, teachers gain the knowledge and skills needed to create a dynamic and supportive learning environment tailored to the unique needs of their students.


The Impact of LKA's Approach


The impact of LKA's approach to dyslexia education extends far beyond the classroom. Students at LKA experience a profound sense of empowerment and self-confidence as they discover and nurture their strengths. With access to specialized instruction, assistive technology, and individualized support, dyslexic students at LKA make remarkable progress academically, socially, and emotionally.


In recognition of its innovative approach to dyslexia education, LKA has attracted national attention, including a feature on the CBS Sunday Morning show hosted by Jane Pauley. This spotlight offers a glimpse into the transformative power of education and the remarkable achievements of dyslexic individuals when provided with the right support and opportunities.


Embracing Inclusion: Unleashing Potential


By embracing the strengths of dyslexic students and fostering a culture of empowerment, educators can create a more equitable and enriching learning experience for all. Together, we can unleash the full potential of dyslexic learners and cultivate a brighter future for generations to come.


Join us in celebrating the resilience, creativity, and boundless potential of dyslexic individuals as they embark on their journey of learning and discovery.


Be sure to tune in and witness the incredible work being done by these organizations in Louisiana. Let us spread awareness, understanding, and support for dyslexic learners, so they can thrive and contribute to society in their own unique and valuable ways.

Episode 4: Navigating the Education System for Dyslexia Parents

By Nicole Armstrong • 22 Apr, 2024
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How To Advocate For Your Dyslexic Child

By Nicole Armstrong • 20 Apr, 2024
Empowering Your Dyslexic Child: A Guide to Effective Advocacy Do you suspect that your child may be struggling with dyslexia? As a parent, advocating for your dyslexic child is crucial to ensuring they receive the support and resources they need to thrive in school and beyond. Understanding the challenges your child faces and knowing how to navigate the educational system can make a significant difference in their academic journey.

Episode 3: Dyslexia Testing using the Shaywitz DyslexiaScreen™️

By Nicole Armstrong • 15 Apr, 2024
Dyslexia Screening & Testing with Dr Laura Cassidy & Sarah Reling

Episode 2: Dyslexia Explored: Myths, Facts, and Resources with Dr Laura Cassidy

By Nicole Armstrong • 08 Apr, 2024
Fireside Chat with the Dyslexia Resource Center

A Call To Volunteers And Workers In Schools

By Nicole Armstrong • 06 Apr, 2024
Empowering Struggling Readers: A Call to Action for Educators and Volunteers If you volunteer or work in a school setting and encounter students who are struggling with reading, you possess a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their lives. It's essential to ask critical questions and explore personalized interventions for those who need extra support in reading. By tailoring instruction to address their specific needs, you can help struggling readers build confidence, improve their skills, and unlock a world of knowledge and possibilities. Whether it's through one-on-one tutoring, guided reading sessions, or targeted interventions, your commitment and dedication can truly transform the trajectory of these students' lives.

Episode 1: Fireside Chat with the Dyslexia Resource Center

By Nicole Armstrong • 01 Apr, 2024
Fireside Chat with the Dyslexia Resource Center

A Failing System For Children With Dyslexia

By Laura Cassidy • 19 Mar, 2024
The Complexity of Reading Acquisition: Understanding Dyslexia Beyond Assumptions Reading is often seen as a natural skill that develops effortlessly with exposure to text. However, this assumption overlooks the complexities of reading acquisition, especially for individuals with dyslexia. Contrary to popular belief, exposure to higher-level text does not automatically improve reading skills, particularly for those struggling with dyslexia. The Overlooked Findings of the National Reading Panel: A Debate on Reading Instruction The National Reading Panel's landmark report in 2000 outlined the fundamental principles of effective reading instruction. Unfortunately, these findings have often been overlooked, leading to ongoing debates between proponents of phonics instruction and advocates of whole language or balanced literacy approaches. Dyslexia: More Than Just Reading Difficulty To truly understand dyslexia, it is crucial to recognize that it extends beyond mere difficulty in reading. Dyslexia affects how individuals process language, making it challenging to break down words into their constituent sounds and match them to written symbols. This process, known as decoding, is essential for fluent reading and comprehension. Early intervention is key in addressing dyslexia. In kindergarten, children lay the groundwork for reading through activities that develop phonemic awareness, letter recognition, and early literacy skills. By screening for dyslexia risk factors by the end of kindergarten, we can ensure early identification and intervention for those in need. Identifying and addressing foundational reading skills is essential to prevent dyslexic students from falling behind their peers. Dyslexic students require specialized instruction that caters to their unique learning needs. This includes explicit instruction in phonemic awareness, decoding strategies, and vocabulary development. According to the National Reading Panel, 90 minute sessions of targeted instruction are recommended, ideally in small groups of six or fewer students. This allows for maximum individualized support and engagement.

Does My Child Have Dyslexia?

By Nicole Armstrong • 22 Feb, 2024
Navigating Dyslexia: Understanding Diagnosis and Pathways to Support If you suspect that your child may have dyslexia, it's natural to have questions about the diagnosis process. While functional MRI scans provide insights into the neurosignature of dyslexia, they are not used for diagnosis. Instead, clinical assessment is the typical approach, involving a thorough history and evaluation of various signs, symptoms, and tests. When considering dyslexia, medical professionals often look for specific indicators in a child's developmental history. These may include speech delays, difficulties learning and recalling the alphabet, and a lack of interest or proficiency in rhyming. Additionally, challenges with word retrieval, especially in social settings or under pressure, may be observed.

Raising Awareness On The Truth About Dyslexia

22 Feb, 2024
Unlocking the Power of Dyslexic Minds: A Comprehensive Guide  In the realm of education, dyslexia stands as a formidable challenge for many students. Defined by the U.S. Federal law, the First Step Act, dyslexia is described as an "unexpected difficulty in reading for individuals who possess the intelligence to be much better readers." This difficulty often stems from a struggle with phonological processing, the ability to discern individual sounds within spoken language, which consequently affects one's capacity to speak, read, and spell. The Paradox of Dyslexia The paradox of dyslexia lies in its unexpected nature. Contrary to common misconceptions, individuals with dyslexia are often bright and intellectually capable. However, they may face hurdles in breaking down spoken words into smaller units known as phonemes. As a result, they encounter challenges in both spoken and written language. Reading becomes a difficult task, requiring significant effort to decode and recognize words. Despite these challenges, dyslexia does not diminish one's reasoning abilities, creativity, or problem-solving skills.

Dyslexia: Four Facts You Should Know

By Laura Cassidy • 27 Jan, 2024
Dyslexia affects individuals' ability to read, write, and spell. Dyslexia is characterized as a difficulty in phonological processing, making it challenging for people with dyslexia to connect sounds to letters and letter groups. In this blog post, we will explore four key facts about dyslexia that everyone should be aware of.
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