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Neelkamal S Soares, MD, MBBS, FAAP

Medical Editor:

Elizabeth A Finley-Belgrad, MD

Medical Editor:

Mary L Windle, PharmD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Later in school life, and in adulthood, the focus is on "accommodations." This means that reasonable attempts must be made to adapt the curriculum and method of instruction to allow the individual with dyslexia to use alternative strategies for a given task.

These accommodations are usually requested under the Individualized Education Plan (IEP); however in some instances they can be applied under a section 504 plan under American with Disabilities Act without the procedural safeguards of an IEP.

Some types of accommodations include:

• instructional,

• environmental,

• testing,

• assignment/homework, and/or

• assistive technology

There are excellent resources online and in print regarding details of the above, but a few examples are provided here:

Instruction

• Adjust reading level

• Allow student to tape lectures

• Allow typewritten or word-processed assignments

• Provide a written outline

Classroom Environment

• Seat student near teacher

• Provide a structured routine in written form

• Provide organizational strategies such as charts, timelines, binders for materials etc.

Testing

• Allow open book tests

• Give multiple choice instead of short answer questions

• Allow use of dictionary or calculator during test

• Provide extra time to finish

• Allow testing in a distraction-free environment

Homework

• Allow student to work on homework while at school

• Give frequent reminders about due dates

• Give short assignments

• Develop reward system for homework completed

Assistive Technology (AT)

Assistive technology is any piece of equipment or product used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. It serves to augment an individual's strengths, and to provide an alternative mode of performing a task.

Examples of technological solutions include:

• Timepieces, computer organizers to help with organization

• Books on tape

• Tape recorders help students review class materials

• Voice recognition software for transcribing dictated reports

• An optical character recognition system to enter text or printed material into a computer by use of a scanner.

• Software programs like Spell Check to correct spelling and syntactical errors

• Word processors for composing written text

Assistive technology options need to be explored through the school special education committee, usually with an assisted technology evaluation of the child to determine the "best fit" for the child's needs. Options for utilizing the assisted technology equipment at home needs to be explored to ensure generalization of skills in different settings.