How to Teach Students with Reading Disabilities
Reading Inclusion Strategies for the Regular Education Teacher
Nov 15, 2008
Understanding and teaching students who have a reading disability is no longer the sole job of the special educator. Working with a child who has a reading disability is well within the ability of every educator with a little understanding of the disability, modifications and methods of working with the child.
Understanding a Reading Disability
Students with a reading disability are usually reading below grade level. Their intellectual ability is in the normal range, but they will continue to fall further behind in reading.
These students may feel stupid because they see their peers succeeding in ways they cannot fathom. They may act out in class, especially when put on the spot to read, in order to take the attention away from their inability. Frustration levels will rise quickly when they are required to independently read a text that is even slightly above their ability level.
Common IEP Modifications for a Reading Disability
Every IEP is unique for the student for whom it is written. Even so, there are some general commonalities in the modifications that benefit a student with a reading disability.
Extra Time – A student with a disability in reading will need extra time across the board in order to be able to process the information written down. Although the Special Education teacher assigned to the student will usually be in charge of providing the extra time for testing situations, you may need to implement this during other times of the day.
Modified Work – this may be worded in different ways, but the modification can be seen in a couple ways. Fewer questions on homework assignments, tests, spelling lists, etc., and possibly changing the homework assignment or test questions to multiple choice instead of short answer are both common methods of modification. These are usually taken care of by the Special Education teacher assigned to the student.
Directions/Portions of the Text Read to the Student – The severity of the reading disability will determine how much is read to the student. As previously mentioned, the student is most likely below grade level in reading, and thus will have extreme difficulty reading grade level text for other subjects. You can help with this modification by assigning another student to help read directions or answer questions as needed when the student cannot figure out a word.
Working with a Child with a Reading Disability
Even if you have no special education training, there are some specific things that you can do to help a child with a reading disability. First, remember that the child is not being defiant by refusing to read. Even if you are certain that the text is within the child's ability, he may not have enough confidence to attempt the word because of a history of failed attempts.
Be patient and find ways to encourage the child at every chance. Call on the child as much as possible when asking a question the child does know the answer to in order to reinforce the idea that the child is smart. Make a concerted effort to never act like a wrong answer is silly or dumb, instead, attempt to help direct the child to a correct answer. Consider pairing the student with an advanced student for discrete help reading and understanding directions.
Understanding the disability, modifications and how to work with the child are some of the basic things that will enable the teacher help the child that has a reading disability. This will help both the regular and special education teacher enable the academic success of all students.
You may be interested in teaching students with math disabilities, and learning more tips for teaching reading.
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