Why I Chose to Become a Certified Structured Dyslexia Specialist
When we think about subjects in school, what is one skill each child needs to have to be successful? You guessed it, they need to be able to read! In a nutshell, that is why I chose to get certified and continue to be a lifelong learner when it comes to teaching reading. I realized as I was studying to be a special education teacher and pursuing my master’s degree, reading is the foundation of all subjects. My master’s degree did not cover intense training in reading. There is simply no time in most programs to obtain all the different licenses and certifications, teachers most often have to pursue this on their own which is what I did.
I love to read it’s what I’m good at, so naturally, we all want to pursue the thing that gives us joy and confidence. When I see a student that feels like they are not a good reader or is struggling with dyslexia they often know it’s not their strength, however, it’s a skill they must have to be successful in school and in life. I love the satisfaction my students get when they realize they can learn strategies through a multisensory approach to reading that is taught directly and explicitly to them to read! Give them the tools and they can do it. The tool is the Orton Gillingham approach a prescriptive and diagnostic, research-based approach to teaching students with dyslexia and other reading struggles.
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month:
According to the International Dyslexia Association, “Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability. Dyslexia refers to a cluster of symptoms, which result in people having difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading.” (https://dyslexiaida.org/dyslexia-basics-2/)
When we realize the importance of reading in life, doesn’t it make sense that there should be one whole month a year to raise awareness for dyslexia? Every child deserves to be able to read, so that is why I am a Dyslexia Specialist. Whether a student is diagnosed with dyslexia or comes to me with a specific learning disability in reading, I want to show them they can fill their toolbox full of the right strategies to read, and that nothing is impossible. A structured approach to literacy covering the five pillars of reading is a research-based approach to reading instruction. There is a science to reading and if we teach children using a structured approach to literacy they will start to see success and gain confidence as skilled readers. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? I know I do!