![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mayahoodblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/microsoft-learning-2-1-1024x887.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDyslexia facts<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nDyslexia is a\nbrain-based learning difference that makes learning to read more difficult.\nAccording to the International Dyslexia Association, 15-20% of the population\nhas a language-based learning disability. Dyslexia doesn’t discriminate between\ngenders, ethnic differences and socio-economic backgrounds. As well, it doesn’t\ntake away an individuals’ ability to thrive, be successful or a productive\nmember of society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s important to know that dyslexia is hereditary. This fact is helpful in explaining to your child that they didn’t do anything ‘wrong’. Their struggles to read isn’t because they aren’t smart or because they aren’t trying hard. The way we explained it to our son is by saying that he was born with a small part of his brain that wasn’t developed and that it’s not his fault, but it is up to him to work hard (with our support) to find ways to compensate for what doesn’t come naturally to him (but might to his peers).<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mayahoodblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/microsoft-learning-1-1-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Support<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nCovid-19 has exemplified the importance of\ntechnology to keep us connected with our loved ones, work and school. For some\nstudents however, technology is just as crucial to their education year-round,\nas a learning aid at school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We worked with a child psychologist and the school to put together a plan that consists of an Individual Education Plan (for his in-school modifications) and working on assistant technology (whereby our son received his own laptop for school use and accessed speech to text software for writing). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While some teachers have been great making the\nrequired modifications, not all have been helpful or necessarily know what to\ndo. We realized early on that it’s up to us (his parents) to advocate for him. In\norder to ensure our continued support, it’s imperative that we stay informed\nthrough on-going education about dyslexia and what aids are available.\nSimilarly, we believe that it’s just as important for educators to learn about\ndyslexia so they can empower their students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through my research I found that Microsoft offers both options. Technology and software as a tool and various information and webinars for parents and educators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mayahoodblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/microsoft-learning-4-1-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMicrosoft Learning Tools<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nWhile we knew that technology can assist him through\nthings like ‘voice to text’, we also learned that Microsoft Office 365 (which\nis available for free to Students and educators at eligible institutions ) has sooooo many great learning\ntools that he could use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learning tools help\nimprove reading through ‘features that reduce visual crowding, highlight text,\nbreak words into syllables, read text aloud, and provide visual references.’\nAlso, features like Dictate and Read Aloud, enable students to hear their\nwriting read aloud \u2013 providing them essential feedback to edit their work and\nclearly communicate their ideas to others.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m going to take the time to familiarize myself\nwith these tools so I can show them to my son. Just as important, I’ll share\nthese tools with my son’s teachers so they can assist him, but also future\nstudents in the hopes that they can create a learning environment that is more\naccessible and inclusive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Microsoft Discovering Dyslexia\nWebinars<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nTo properly advocate for my son, I need to arm\nmyself with knowledge. That’s why I signed up Microsoft\u2019s various (and free) Discovering\nDyslexia webinars. I also already sent the links to my son’s teacher and our\nschool administrative department so they can attend and share this with other\nteachers, as I know that many students and educators can benefit from these\nwebinars and resources available through Microsoft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Microsoft’s Dyslexia\nDecodEd Webinar Series provides educators with information on how to best\nsupport students with dyslexia so they can succeed. Topics include: Navigating\nDyslexia, learning differently with Dyslexia, and decoding the future of\nDyslexia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Support<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nCovid-19 has exemplified the importance of\ntechnology to keep us connected with our loved ones, work and school. For some\nstudents however, technology is just as crucial to their education year-round,\nas a learning aid at school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We worked with a child psychologist and the school to put together a plan that consists of an Individual Education Plan (for his in-school modifications) and working on assistant technology (whereby our son received his own laptop for school use and accessed speech to text software for writing). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While some teachers have been great making the\nrequired modifications, not all have been helpful or necessarily know what to\ndo. We realized early on that it’s up to us (his parents) to advocate for him. In\norder to ensure our continued support, it’s imperative that we stay informed\nthrough on-going education about dyslexia and what aids are available.\nSimilarly, we believe that it’s just as important for educators to learn about\ndyslexia so they can empower their students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through my research I found that Microsoft offers both options. Technology and software as a tool and various information and webinars for parents and educators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMicrosoft Learning Tools<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nWhile we knew that technology can assist him through\nthings like ‘voice to text’, we also learned that Microsoft Office 365 (which\nis available for free to Students and educators at eligible institutions ) has sooooo many great learning\ntools that he could use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learning tools help\nimprove reading through ‘features that reduce visual crowding, highlight text,\nbreak words into syllables, read text aloud, and provide visual references.’\nAlso, features like Dictate and Read Aloud, enable students to hear their\nwriting read aloud \u2013 providing them essential feedback to edit their work and\nclearly communicate their ideas to others.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m going to take the time to familiarize myself\nwith these tools so I can show them to my son. Just as important, I’ll share\nthese tools with my son’s teachers so they can assist him, but also future\nstudents in the hopes that they can create a learning environment that is more\naccessible and inclusive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Microsoft Discovering Dyslexia\nWebinars<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nTo properly advocate for my son, I need to arm\nmyself with knowledge. That’s why I signed up Microsoft\u2019s various (and free) Discovering\nDyslexia webinars. I also already sent the links to my son’s teacher and our\nschool administrative department so they can attend and share this with other\nteachers, as I know that many students and educators can benefit from these\nwebinars and resources available through Microsoft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Microsoft’s Dyslexia\nDecodEd Webinar Series provides educators with information on how to best\nsupport students with dyslexia so they can succeed. Topics include: Navigating\nDyslexia, learning differently with Dyslexia, and decoding the future of\nDyslexia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMicrosoft Learning Tools<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nWhile we knew that technology can assist him through\nthings like ‘voice to text’, we also learned that Microsoft Office 365 (which\nis available for free to Students and educators at eligible institutions ) has sooooo many great learning\ntools that he could use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learning tools help\nimprove reading through ‘features that reduce visual crowding, highlight text,\nbreak words into syllables, read text aloud, and provide visual references.’\nAlso, features like Dictate and Read Aloud, enable students to hear their\nwriting read aloud \u2013 providing them essential feedback to edit their work and\nclearly communicate their ideas to others.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m going to take the time to familiarize myself\nwith these tools so I can show them to my son. Just as important, I’ll share\nthese tools with my son’s teachers so they can assist him, but also future\nstudents in the hopes that they can create a learning environment that is more\naccessible and inclusive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Microsoft Discovering Dyslexia\nWebinars<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nTo properly advocate for my son, I need to arm\nmyself with knowledge. That’s why I signed up Microsoft\u2019s various (and free) Discovering\nDyslexia webinars. I also already sent the links to my son’s teacher and our\nschool administrative department so they can attend and share this with other\nteachers, as I know that many students and educators can benefit from these\nwebinars and resources available through Microsoft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Microsoft’s Dyslexia\nDecodEd Webinar Series provides educators with information on how to best\nsupport students with dyslexia so they can succeed. Topics include: Navigating\nDyslexia, learning differently with Dyslexia, and decoding the future of\nDyslexia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To properly advocate for my son, I need to arm\nmyself with knowledge. That’s why I signed up Microsoft\u2019s various (and free) Discovering\nDyslexia webinars. I also already sent the links to my son’s teacher and our\nschool administrative department so they can attend and share this with other\nteachers, as I know that many students and educators can benefit from these\nwebinars and resources available through Microsoft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Microsoft’s Dyslexia\nDecodEd Webinar Series provides educators with information on how to best\nsupport students with dyslexia so they can succeed. Topics include: Navigating\nDyslexia, learning differently with Dyslexia, and decoding the future of\nDyslexia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n