While many learning disabilities cannot be remediated with instruction, studies have shown that with targeted, explicit, systematic, structured, and multi-sensory instruction, children with dyslexia can make significant improvements in reading skills. Children’s neural circuitry can also rewire to function more like normal readers.
Let’s look at some books and other resources that will help you learn more about dyslexia and equip you to more effectively teach your students with dyslexia.
1. Overcoming Dyslexia: Second Edition
by M.D. Sally Shaywitz and M.D. Jonathan Shaywitz
World-renowned reading and dyslexia experts, Drs. Sally and Jonathan Shaywitz provide a comprehensive, up-to-date, and practical guide for identifying, understanding and overcoming dyslexia and reading problems. This book contains information on all aspects of dyslexia and includes tools that both teachers and parents can use to support students with dyslexia.
2. Conquering Dyslexia: A Guide to Early Detection and Intervention for Teachers and Parents
by Jan Hasbrouck, Ph.D.
Dr. Hasbrouck shares instructional approaches that work well for children with dyslexia. The book addresses what dyslexia is, how to identify it, early diagnosis and intervention, teaching students, and supporting English Learners.
3. The Dyslexia-Friendly Teacher’s Toolkit: Strategies for Teaching Students 3 – 18
by Barbara Pavey, Margaret Meehan and Sarah Davis
This book is a practical guide for making your classroom setting and teaching style dyslexia-friendly. The book offers tried and tested strategies as well as practical ideas to help you become more confident in your ability to positively impact students with dyslexia.
4. The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain
by Brock L. Eide M.D. M.A., Fernette F. Eide M.D.
Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide share unique insights into the advantages of dyslexia such as their creativity, storytelling abilities, spatial reasoning and their insightful connections to the world.
5. Teaching Students with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, OWL LD, and Dyscalculia
by Virginia W. Berninger Ph.D., Beverly J. Wolf M.Ed.
This is one of the first training books that offers insight and support for dyslexia, dysgraphia, OWL LD, and dyscalculia. It looks at different ways to meet the needs of and provide instruction for students with learning disabilities while supporting the needs of all students in the classroom. This book will prepare you to deliver targeted, engaging instruction for all students.
6. Essentials of Dyslexia Assessment and Intervention
by Barbara J. Wendling, Nancy Mather
Essentials of Dyslexia Assessment and Intervention is a step-by-step guide for accurately identifying and assessing students with dyslexia. The book offers an in-depth description of the assessments used to diagnose both the cognitive and academic skills of students suspected of having dyslexia. Included are detailed, evidence-based interventions that you and parents can use to help struggling students.
Reaching and teaching students with dyslexia begins with understanding dyslexia first and equipping yourself with the latest information and strategies. These six books provide great insight into the disability and offer a plethora of ways to help students with dyslexia grow and prosper.
Teia Hoover Baker is an educator, published author, and entrepreneur. She is an innovative, devoted educator whose career has been dedicated to coordinating programs that support struggling learners. Her passion is meeting students where they are and guiding them to excel. Her main focus is always what is best for children. Teia holds a Bachelor’s in Journalism and a Master’s of Education. In her spare time, she enjoys being Lovie to her growing grandchildren.
