decoding dyslexia

Although the “D” word has become an anxiety inducing term, it is one of the most common disabilities. Simply put, Dyslexia is a word-decoding disorder, impacting spelling, rooted in the spoken language system. Although it is usually labeled as a “speech language disorder” early on, it is commonly reclassified as a “specific learning disability” because of its profound impacts on academic performance. Dyslexia is a neurological, lifelong condition, but with this training, your teams will learn how to:

• Recognize the early signs in order to intervene collaboratively prior to 3rd grade by connecting spoken and written language skills;

• Identify the Phonological components in both identification and treatment; and,

• Develop collaborative goals and progress monitoring procedures among disciplines (speech language pathologists, classroom teachers, reading coordinators and special educators).

Diggin’ up data

Not to be confused with a “data dig,” this course was developed to simplify and increase functional goal-writing and progress monitoring procedures. Writing a goal for anything other than articulation is far more daunting than following the traditional recipe. Your team will learn how to consider probe-based, individualized, progress monitoring procedures while learning to:

• Develop language-based multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) intervention goals;

• Increase time spent teaching by decreasing the need to take data each session;

• Improve the concept of measuring skill generalization; and,

• Select the appropriate time and place for rubrics, emphasizing the need to increase student independence.

Double vision

Sometimes we just need a second pair of eyes. As educators, we’re absolutely swamped…and as much as we want to support our colleagues when they need help, we cannot get away from our own responsibilities to do so. Speak Out Services can schedule individual time with you for those uniquely challenging situations. Perhaps you have a handful of students who leave you uncertain on “next steps.” Maybe you need that “outsider” to provide advocacy for your workload, or specific training for some of your colleagues. Contact Speak Out for collaborative coaching opportunities!