Dealing with Dyslexic Students in the Classroom

النوع : Article

Proficient reading is an essential requirement for learning most of the subject matter taught at school. Dyslexic students face learning difficulties particularly in reading. If these difficulties are not dealt with early enough, such students may face many communication problems with their peers which in turn may lead to psychological and achievement problems. There is almost agreement that dyslexia is a physiological disorder which may affect a student's academic performance if it is not treated early enough. However, research findings show that there is disagreement on whether dyslexic students should be kept in a normal school or should be sent to a special school. Two opposing theories exist concerning dyslexia. The traditionalists claim that students suffering from dyslexia are not able to achieve much due to their being gauche or clumsy and less intelligent. However, contemporary research studies on dyslexia assert that such students in spite of their reading problems, are highly creative, giving examples of talented writers who were dyslexic such as John Irving, Windy Wasserstein and others (Shaywitz, 2003). This research case study was carried out on two second grade and one fourth grade dyslexic students to find out whether these students need normal or special schools, and whether they need physiological and psychological support. Three research tools were used to collect data: documentary analysis of texts which shows the students' performance; semi-structured interviews with each student, his parents, and his teachers, to find out how each participant was doing, how he was being dealt with, and to know more about his attitudes and feelings; and both active and passive observation. Findings and analysis for the three cases suggest results, and made noticeable progress in a normal school with the help of a psychologist, teachers, and parents. Class teachers should understand the problems which dyslexic students face in order to deal effectively with such students and encourage them. Therefore, they will feel the experience of success and self-value in a positive and motivating environment.