January 5, 2023.
When students with dyslexia try to read, the letters get all mixed up. Sometimes the letters twist and change direction. Sometimes they merge together. Sometimes they turn upside down.
It has nothing to do with intelligence. It's a visual perception problem.
But dyslexic students don't know that. All they know is that the other kids around them can read, but they can't. Students with dyslexia frequently come to believe they are dumb.
And it's a widespread problem. Thirty percent of high-school dropouts are estimated to be dyslexic. Dr. Sally Shaywitz and Dr. Bennett Shaywitz of the Yale University Center for Dyslexia and Creativity state that dyslexia affects twenty percent of the population.
But with the proper help, dyslexic students can learn and achieve at high levels.
Click below to see I'm a Dyslexic English Teacher, a video available on YouTube. It tells the story of a college professor and Air Force veteran who embraces his dyslexia. He grew up believing he was stupid. But he finally got the right support and learned techniques to help him read better. He also came to understand the advantages of being dyslexic. He is an outstanding communicator, he is highly creative, and he is persistent.
Providing the right materials is an essential step in helping dyslexic students improve their reading skills. Finding Forward Books publishes hi-interest, low-reading-level novels for reluctant teen readers.
The books are printed in a special font, Open Dyslexic, that's easier to read for students who are dyslexic.
They have compelling stories, short sentences, and easy vocabulary to give teens a positive experience with reading. Lexile readability measures range from 390 to 540.
The books have been praised in Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly BookLife Reviews, Foreword Clarion Reviews, and BlueInk Reviews.
They may be ordered from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Walmart, independent bookstores, and suppliers such as Express Booksellers, Ingram, and Mackin.
See all of our titles and request a free exam copy at:
Russ Thompson, Ed.D., is a retired educator who served as a reading teacher and high-school principal in Los Angeles. Much of his time was spent working with at-risk students. He holds a teaching credential as a reading specialist, as well as a doctorate in education from UCLA.