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Navigating the Teen Years: Supporting Students with Dyslexia in Middle and High School

The transition to middle and high school marks a significant shift in a student's academic journey. The demands of reading, writing, and independent learning increase dramatically. For students with dyslexia, these years can be particularly challenging as they move from "learning to read" to "reading to learn." Supporting them effectively requires a change in approach, focusing on acknowledgment, self-advocacy, and appropriate accommodations. This guide, informed by insights from education experts at Edutopia, offers strategies for helping your adolescent with dyslexia thrive.

Acknowledge, Advocate, Accommodate

As students with dyslexia enter their teen years, their needs become more complex. They are often acutely aware of their struggles and may have experienced years of academic frustration. A successful support strategy at this stage is built on three pillars: acknowledging their experience, teaching them to advocate for themselves, and ensuring they have the right accommodations.

1. Acknowledge Their Experience

Before a teen who has struggled for years can truly begin to learn and trust the process, it is essential to acknowledge their journey. This means:

Validating their effort: Let them know that you see how hard they are working.
Explaining the "why": Help them understand that dyslexia is a neurobiological difference in how the brain processes language, not a reflection of their intelligence or effort [1].
Building trust: Communicate that you believe in their ability to learn and succeed.

"We have to let them know that we believe they are trying, and we believe they can learn." - Kelli Sandman-Hurley, Edutopia [1]

2. Teach Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy is perhaps the most critical skill a teen with dyslexia can develop. It is the ability to understand their own learning profile and effectively communicate their needs to others. This skill is essential for success in high school, college, and the workplace. The process of teaching self-advocacy should begin no later than the end of elementary school and includes:

Using the word "dyslexia": Students should have a deep understanding of what dyslexia is and how it affects them personally.
Understanding their rights: They should be aware of their IEP or 504 plan and understand that it is a legal document that protects their right to accommodations.
Practicing communication: Help them develop an "elevator speech" to explain their dyslexia and practice how to request their accommodations from teachers.

3. Provide the Right Accommodations

Accommodations are not a crutch; they are tools that level the playing field, allowing students with dyslexia to demonstrate their knowledge and skills without being hindered by their reading and writing difficulties. For middle and high school students, some of the most impactful accommodations include:

Accommodation	How it Helps
Text-to-Speech	Provides access to grade-level content and complex vocabulary, allowing students to learn from the same materials as their peers.
Speech-to-Text	Allows students to express their ideas in writing without being held back by spelling and grammar challenges. This often leads to more complex and sophisticated writing.
Keyboarding	For students who also have dysgraphia (difficulty with handwriting), keyboarding can make the physical act of writing less frustrating and more efficient.
No Forced Oral Reading	Reading aloud in front of peers can be a traumatic experience for students with dyslexia. They should be allowed to volunteer to read, but never forced.

The social and emotional well-being of a teen with dyslexia is paramount. By acknowledging their struggles, empowering them to advocate for themselves, and providing the right tools for success, we can help them navigate the challenges of middle and high school with confidence and resilience.

References

[1] Sandman-Hurley, K. (2020, November 20). How to Better Support Middle and High School Students With Dyslexia. Edutopia. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-better-support-middle-and-high-school-students-dyslexia/ '''

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