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Dyslexia in the Kindergarten Child

By Kimberly WilloughbycloseAuthor: Kimberly Willoughby Name: Kimberly Willoughby
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The Dyslexia Handbook of Texas (found online at www.tea.state.tx.us/curriculum/elar/2007EnglishHandbook.pdf ) recommends that children who show these symptoms even after appropriate and systematic reading instruction should receive intervention in a small group of 4 or less students. This intervention should include direct instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. In the RTI model, this represents a Tier II intervention. If at any time after intervention has begun the child shows no progress (or maximum intervention of 10 weeks) AND any of the above signs of dyslexia are present, the child should be recommended for a formal assessment for dyslexia.

Hope will go on to first grade in the fall. Most likely she will continue to struggle with the same skills which frustrated her in kindergarten. The difference for her now is that, as her kindergarten teacher, I have educated myself. I can approach her first grade teacher and together we can push for a formal assessment for dyslexia. And this fall, as a new batch of kindergarteners comes through my door I will be armed with knowledge. Knowledge brings with it the ability to help more students, using more informed interventions. With knowledge comes the power to work toward change within my school. Students like Hope will no longer be a mystery to me. They do not need to be a mystery to you either.

Bibliography
MacDonald, Jay. “Symptoms of Dyslexia.” Bright Solutions for Dyslexia. N.p., n.d. Web.14 June 2010. .
“The Texas Handbook.” Procedures Concerns Dyslexia and Related Disorders. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 June 2010. .
“What We Now Know About Dyslexia.” Bright Solutions for Dyslexia. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 June 2010. .
“What is Dyslexia.” Bright Solutions for Dyslexia. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 June 2010. .

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Kim Willoughby is a kindergarten teacher at Mary Martin Elementary School in Weatherford, Texas.  She has been teaching for 15 years. Her teaching experience includes first, second and third grade.