Literature Review of Current Approaches to the Provision of Education for Children with Dyslexia: page 1

Literature Review of Current Approaches to the Provision of Education for Children with Dyslexia

Executive Summary of the Key Findings

There is a rich body of research on dyslexia as a product of over one hundred years of research. The focus of the investigation covers a very wide scope including the nature, causes, diagnosis, and various forms of treatment based on different underpinning theories and philosophies. The most recent research acknowledges that both genetic and environmental influences are contributory factors in dyslexia. Likewise, further attention has been given to a better understanding of the interactions between the behavioural, social and emotional dimensions experienced by dyslexic learners and in so doing, using them to this group of learners’ advantage. In the midst of all these research studies, the review also found that a universal consensus on the precise nature of dyslexia has still to be reached. On a positive note, there now exist a vast and still growing number of psychologists, academics and researchers who support the view that the development of dyslexics’ phonological processing skills plays a significant role in helping them to learn to read.

Based on the overall review, the following observations are offered for further reflection:

The review of the literature undertaken here indicates a dearth of published studies on diagnosis, treatment and best practice in the Scottish setting.
The earlier that a child with dyslexia is identified and given appropriate intervention, the more successful the results will be. Vital clues such as family history of dyslexia, delay in speech and poor spelling can help both parents and teachers in identifying children at risk.
Research shows that dyslexic children tend to suffer from low self-esteem. Therefore, it seems likely that programmes will be more successful if, alongside practical support, they emphasise activities and tasks that allow dyslexic learners to recognise not only their weaknesses but also their strengths and areas of competence.
A long-term synchronised effort between the teachers and parents in the identification, treatment and provision of continuous support appears to be crucial in helping dyslexic learners to function, adapt, compensate for their limitations and improve perceptions and capabilities as a person as part of overcoming dyslexia.
Dyslexia is purported to be a multifaceted learning disorder, and the severity of the condition varies. The research suggests the importance of accurate diagnosis of the child to ascertain the type of intervention that can best help him/her.
The advances made in the area of information and computer technology (ICT) for helping dyslexic learners are very promising and are perhaps worthy of attention and possibly some scoping studies for wider usage.
There were suggestions that a reflection on effective teaching pedagogies for teaching children how to read may help prevent any occurrence of dyslexia resulting from inappropriate teaching methods.

Examples of Best Practice

The choice of specific examples of best practice highlighted in this review is based principally on methodological rigour and the effectiveness of the outcomes. The use of sound criteria in the selection of research participants was also taken into account.

Some out-of-school programmes/courses organised for dyslexic learners were empowering because, firstly, they were carried out in an informal environment and the tasks were both enjoyable and educational. Both the tasks and the way they were presented enabled pupils to realise that despite being dyslexic, they could still be creative and productive individuals. Secondly, knowing that other children were in similar circumstances created a sense of belonging. Realising that they were not alone in the challenges they faced was also a form of support. Thirdly, organised activities for small groups of pupils were focused and, therefore, effective in bringing about changes in attitude and behaviour.
MacKay (2001) wholeheartedly supports the creation of a ‘dyslexia friendly’ environment in schools. Despite the fact that ‘changing a school for the benefit of the 10+% of pupils who are dyslexic may be a difficult package to sell’ because of the changes it entails, the encouraging results from a case study school reveal that although the study techniques are meant to support and enhance the learning of dyslexic pupils, they in fact enhanced the learning of all the pupils. Dyslexia friendliness is also an invaluable instrument in raising school-wide awareness of this learning difficulty.
There is a common factor amongst the three techniques (ie the Multisensory Method, Auditory Discrimination in Depth and Embedded Phonics), which was shown to be effective in helping learners with dyslexia – the key feature is improving the phonological processing skills of dyslexic learners. A number of other studies support the use of techniques that are phonologically related (see Hatcher, 2000; Joshi et al, 2002; Lovett et al, 1994; Sawyer, 2006; Simpson, 2000; Snowling, 1998; Snowling & Hayiou-Thomas, 2006; Tijms et al, 2003; Vellutino et al, 1996; Uhry & Shepherd, 1997). In fact, it was asserted that ‘[t]he widespread consensus in the field is that phonological processes play a key role in learning to read’ (Snowling & Hayiou-Thomas, 2006, p. 116).
Customised software for dyslexic learners (eg a multimedia program which used interesting graphics and features a game-like task used for teaching spelling) can be potentially useful in the Scottish setting.

Past and current research studies on dyslexia are all important for they are part of an ongoing quest to crystallise the concept and to understand the plight of dyslexic learners. Further research in this area ‘will ensure more positive outcomes’ for them (Sawyer, 2006).

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