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ERIC Number: EJ1138107
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Apr
Pages: N/A
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0013-1784
EISSN: N/A
Dyslexia: Disability or Difference?
Redford, Kyle
Educational Leadership, v74 n7 p64-67 Apr 2017
Redford, a veteran 5th grade teacher, addresses the question of whether, in the case of students with dyslexia, "it's time to ditch the disability classification and replace it with more positive language that embraces and appreciates [the condition] as a 'neurodifference' instead." Her answer is no--at least in the current education environment. She argues that while students with dyslexia are often deep and creative thinkers with extraordinary capabilities, they also struggle with foundational academic skills and need the supports and accommodations afforded them by the disability classification (and long sought after by advocates). In particular, such students often in need intensive interventions and accommodations in reading, writing, and test-taking. Redford says that Universal Design for Learning, a framework of supports often used with students with learning disabilities, can be helpful in giving students with dyslexia better access to curricula and alternative ways to demonstrate their learning. The principles of neurodiversity can help destigmatize and demystify conditions like dyslexia but in terms of providing needed academic supports in a school setting, they are largely aspirational.
ASCD. 1703 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1714. Tel: 800-933-2723; Tel: 703-578-9600; Fax: 703-575-5400; Web site: http://www.ascd.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A