Happy New Year and Welcome to 2023!

Returning to work in the New Year is always a new experience, new calendar, and a new journal. As we begin a new year, it is always healthy to reflect on the past. Reflect on the year gone by. Think of the happy gains and the missed opportunities. Introspect on personal growth and learn from the experience. Reflection brings balance to life where focusing on the positive influence overriding the negative ones. Educator's work is infinitely complex. Without deep thinking about the work, educators may fall back on out of date curricula and old routines. Reflection is a systematic way of thinking that generates new knowledge by helping us create meaning from our experiences. It forces us to ask difficult questions of ourselves and to have the courage to find meaningful answers.

Reflection Prompts:

• What did you learn about your students/experiences?
• How will you use this information in continued work?
• What did you learn about your teaching?
• What would I do the same way?
• What changed?
• What is stopping me from improving?
• Do my teaching actions reflect my teaching beliefs?

By Nancy Mather, PhD

There are many challenges in the assessment of dyslexia, including the use of varied terminology; reliance on phonological awareness as the sole linguistic risk factor; the inappropriate use of current assessment models; the underdiagnosis of twice-exceptional students; difficulties with early identification; complications with English language learners and the existence of co-occurring disorders that confound an accurate diagnosis. This blog discusses the challenges in testing for dyslexia in-depth, as well as the development of an innovative dyslexia test that can help address some of these challenges.

Read more HERE

Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder of written expression that impairs writing ability and fine motor skills. It is a learning disability that affects children and adults, and interferes with practically all aspects of the writing process, including spelling, legibility, word spacing and sizing, and expression. It’s estimated that 5 to 20 percent of all children have some type of writing deficit like dysgraphia. In the Texas Dyslexia Handbook January 2021 Update, beginning on page 72 instructional accommodations for a student with dysgraphia are addressed.

When considering accommodations for the student with dysgraphia, consider the following:

• The rate of producing written work

• The volume of the work to be produced

• The complexity of the writing task

• The tools used to produce the written product

• The format of the product (Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2018, p. 5)

Additional resources offered guidance for ARD committee consideration when making determinations:

Understanding Dysgraphia from International Dyslexia Association

Understanding Dysgraphia by Jessica Souza

At a Glance, Classroom Accommodations for Dysgraphia

Technology Integration for Students with Dyslexia and Related Disorders

10 Ways to Get Science of Reading Support for teachers. Looking for more training on the Science of Reading to better support your literacy instruction? Check out the list of 10 ways to get support here including several free or low-cost options for teachers. Whether you’re new to SoR or are knee-deep and looking to expand your understanding!

Check out Jennifer's Simply Kindergarten Blog HERE

SPRING 2023 SESSION AVAILABLE NOW-Click HERE to search for sessions!

Check out Free resources from IMSE to add to your therapy program.

Email: amie.davenport@region10.org
Website: Region10.org
Location: 904 Abrams Rd, Richardson, TX, USA
Phone: 972-348-1538