In a groundbreaking 2008 study, researchers Sally and Bennett Shaywitz explored how the brain processes reading and why students with dyslexia face the challenges that they do. Their work has helped uncover how attention and brain activity are linked to reading difficulties, offering fresh insights into how to support students with dyslexia.
What Happens in the Brain?
Using fMRI brain imaging, the researchers identified what they call a “neural signature” of dyslexia. This means they could see specific patterns in how the brains of students with dyslexia work compared to their peers.
Students with dyslexia often learn to decode words, figuring out how letters and sounds fit together, but many struggle to read fluently. Fluency is more than just decoding; it’s about reading smoothly and automatically, which allows for a better understanding of what’s being read.
The Role of Attention
For years, researchers believed reading was mostly automatic once a student learned the basics of decoding. This study challenges that idea, showing that attention plays a key role in reading. When attention is disrupted, it can make fluent reading much harder, particularly for students with dyslexia.
What Does This Mean for Support?
The Shaywitzes suggest that improving attention might help students with dyslexia read more fluently. This could involve new teaching methods or even medications used for attention issues like ADHD, especially as there is commonly an overlap between dyslexia and ADHD. Early studies show that combining these approaches with traditional teaching could make a big difference in helping students overcome fluency barriers.
How Parents and Educators Can Help
If your child has dyslexia, this research shows the importance of understanding both the science behind the difficulty and the practical steps to address it. By focusing on both decoding skills and attention, you can help your student make progress.
Collaboration is key. Working with teachers, tutors, and healthcare professionals can ensure your student gets the support they need to build their reading skills and confidence.
