Coping strategies and aids
Alongside the Dore Program, the following coping strategies and aids for dyslexia can be used to make the learning process that much easier.
Handouts and materials
- Use of colored ink or colored paper (black ink on white paper can be difficult to read)
- Use text in lowercase (block capitals are difficult to read)
- Use 'plain English'
- Use of plain, clear fonts
- Use of graphs, pictures, or charts to break up reading material
- Make information available in a variety of ways: reading, audio, visual
Visual aids
- Handheld magnifiers for reading/writing
- Highlighter pens for reading small areas of text
- Cards/rulers, to stay on the line while reading
- Intuitive (colored) overlays
- Colored rulers
- Colored screens, used on computers
- Computer default settings to plain type
- Set computer icons to larger size
- Use of computer magnifying tool
Assistive technology
- Computers
- Spellcheckers and Autocorrect (on computers)
- Screen reading software
- Voice recognition software
- Word prediction software
- Calculators
- Spellmasters
- Dictaphones
- Audio tapes/CDs
- Special keyboards or mouse
- Audio books are useful for engaging dyslexics with literature
Additional learning support
Good schooling, specialist one-to-one tutors, and other learning schemes can be very beneficial to assist those who have fallen behind academically. Remember, all schools have access to a specialist who is responsible for supporting children with educational needs. Speak to your school if you want more information.
The following organizations have been used to complement the Dore Program:
Phonological interventions
Phonics is a widely-used method of teaching to read and decode words. It involves teaching how to connect the sounds of spoken English with letters or groups of letters.
For more information on teaching phonics, you might speak with a local literacy tutor. Alternatively, visit the following website:
www.focusonphonics.co.uk/
Kumon
An individualized after-school study program designed to help children of all ages and abilities to fulfill their potentials in math and English.
www.kumon.co.uk
Toe by Toe
A highly-structured multi-sensory reading manual for teachers. www.toe-by-toe.co.uk/
Kip McGrath Education Centers
A tutoring franchise for younger children in mathematics, English, reading, and spelling.
www.kipmcgrath.co.uk/