Terrie Noland, National Director, Educator Engagement & Initiatives at Learning Ally, was interviewed on Education Talk Radio for edWeb.net‘s monthly show by program host Larry Jacobs along with Lisa Schmucki, edWeb founder. Terrie, Larry, and Lisa talked about support for dyslexic students in schools and the challenges these students face.

The Education Talk Radio interview scratched only the surface of what is a complicated world for a student with dyslexia. Terrie explained that dyslexia is a multi-faceted learning disability, referring to the disability as a “continuum.” For example, one student with dyslexia may be able to write well while another may struggle with writing. Dyslexia can also involve other types of learning disabilities, such as dyscalculia or dysgraphia.

“Many of my different age LD (learning disabilities) students are very adept at deflecting attention from their cognitive learning issues….The school doesn’t have any idea what they really don’t know…I never stop helping them because they never give up,” said a recent edWeb comment. Dyslexic students often learn to cope by pretending everything is okay with their schoolwork when in reality they have to work much harder than other students. It is crucial for teachers that see this and recognize their students’ potential to share their insight with other teachers. Every educator must know how to address these learning deficits in the classroom, because students must read, write, and spell in every subject. For the full interview on Education Talk Radio, visit Education Talk Radio.

Terrie presented in the webinar, “How to Support Dyslexic Students in Your School,” sponsored by Learning Ally. The webinar discussed why students struggle, what to look for, and how to support dyslexic students in your district with appropriate accommodations and interventions. Terrie also provided insight on identifying dyslexia that’s hiding in plain sight, what administrators need to know about supporting dyslexic students through identification, accommodations, and interventions, and building a district culture to support struggling readers. Watch Terrie’s full webinar here.

Learning Ally sponsors the free Professional Learning Community (PLC) on edWeb, Empowering Struggling Readers. This PLC provides webinars and resources that help support students with dyslexia and specific learning disabilities. Here, educators, administrators, special educators, curriculum leaders, and librarians can collaborate on how to make thriving students out of struggling readers. Empowering Struggling Readers also provides insight on assistive technology, accommodations, and overall solutions to foster academic success and a love of reading in students. Join the free Empowering Struggling Readers professional learning community on edWeb.net for invitations to upcoming webinars, online discussions, and access to resources.

About the Organization

Founded in 1948, Learning Ally supports K-12, college and graduate students, veterans and lifelong learners – all of whom read and learn differently due to dyslexia, blindness or visual impairment, and other disabilities. This non-profit believes that everyone should have equal opportunities to learn, and understands that all people learn differently and may need options to achieve their full potential. They host live and virtual events for families and teachers, and provide instructive webinars led by experts as well as peer-to-peer sessions led by students, and professional development workshops for educators. Learning Ally’s collection of 82,000 human-narrated audio textbooks and literature titles can be downloaded by students using their smartphones and tablets, and is the largest of its kind in the world. For more information on Learning Ally, visit Learning Ally.