FAQ About Reading Difficulties And Disabilities

Date:August 01, 2006

 

 

Topic:

Questions That The TPSD Is Frequently Asked About Reading Difficulties And Disabilities  August 2006

What is dyslexia? Dyslexia is a specific learning disability in reading characterized by a diffi-culty in the use and processing of linguistic symbols and codes despite average to above average intelligence and socio-cultural opportunity. What does the Tupelo Public School District (TPSD) offer to students with reading problems? Teachers in the TPSD are trained in multi-sensory intervention techniques for building phonologic awareness and reading fluency. An intervention assistant trained in Orton-Gillingham based multi-sensory intervention techniques is available in each K-3 school to help teachers carry out research-based interventions. Kindergarten:  Each student is assessed using the Early Preven-tion of School Failure Assessment Battery to identify strengths and weaknesses.  Teachers tailor their instruction to meet each student’s needs. First Grade:  Students exhibiting difficulty in reading may receive services through the Reading Recovery program, which is intensive, individualized multi-sensory assistance in phonology and reading fluency. Kindergarten through Graduation:  The TPSD utilizes Teacher Support Teams that operate under three tiers of instruction as required by the Mississippi Department of Education. Tier 1:  Classroom instruction with modifications made to increase student success rates Tier 2:  Thirty minutes of intense, individualized research-based intervention in addition to regular classroom instruction Tier 3:  Sixty minutes of intense, individualized research-based interventions in addition to regular classroom instruction with progress monitored weekly to evaluate efficacy of intervention.   What is multi-sensory instruction? Multi-sensory instruction combines kinesthetic, auditory, and visual experiences to reinforce phonology skills.  This type of instruction is based on several leading dyslexia programs including Orton-Gillingham, Linda-mood Bell, and Susan Barton.  Orton-Gillingham is sometimes identified as the “grandfather” of multi-sensory processes.   Does the Tupelo Public School District test for dyslexia? While there is no one “test” for dyslexia, the TPSD has a team of psychom-etrists, speech/language pathologists, and a school psychologist equipped to provide a battery of assessments that can identify specific learning disabilities in reading and language.   What do I do if my child is identified as having reading or phonological difficulties? The teachers will initiate interventions through the Teacher Support Team using multi-sensory techniques that are supported by research in addres-sing reading or phonological difficulties.  If these interventions are not successful, the Teacher Support Team will make a referral to the Local Survey Committee to determine if a comprehensive assessment is indicated for identifying special education services under the category of Specific Learning Disability in reading or language.