How can I support my students with dyslexia or dysgraphia?

Our curriculum was designed with specific supports built in to support students with dyslexia or dysgraphia, including intervention resources for letter formation, spacing, and other formatting issues, as well as spelling and grammar.

Here are some other modifications that may be helpful:

• Provide Structured Writing Templates: Use graphic organizers or structured templates that guide students through the stages of planning, organizing, and structuring their writing. For instance, using fill-in-the-blank story frames or sentence starters can help reduce the mental load and provide a clear framework for their ideas.
• Incorporate Multisensory Approaches: Engage multiple senses to reinforce letter formation and spatial awareness. For example, using sand trays, textured mats, or air-writing helps strengthen muscle memory for forming letters. Manipulatives like letter tiles and Elkonin boxes can also support spelling and phonemic awareness.
• Adjust Grading and Writing Expectations: Focus grading on content and ideas rather than penalizing for handwriting, spelling, or grammar errors. Offering the option for students to submit bullet points or lists instead of full sentences can also help them convey ideas without the pressure of sentence structure. Adjusting the length of assignments can reduce stress and improve focus on key writing skills.
• Frequent Breaks and Chunking: Breaking assignments into smaller, manageable chunks can reduce fatigue and frustration. Providing regular breaks during writing tasks can help students sustain focus. Encourage students to work on one writing aspect at a time (e.g., brainstorming, drafting, revising) to avoid overwhelm and make the task more approachable.