As practitioners dedicated to creating positive outcomes for children, it's crucial to continually refine our approaches using evidence-based strategies. One such approach is the Response to Intervention (RTI) model, which has shown promise in identifying children at risk for dyslexia. This blog delves into the findings of the research article titled "Response to intervention as an identification strategy of the risk for dyslexia" and provides actionable insights for practitioners.
Understanding RTI and Its Importance
The RTI model is a multi-tiered approach designed to identify and support students with learning difficulties. The model's effectiveness lies in its structured and systematic method of assessing and intervening in students' learning processes. This research focused on Tier 2 of the RTI model, which involves targeted interventions for students who do not respond to general classroom instruction.
Key Findings from the Research
The study involved 30 children aged 8-11 with reading and writing difficulties. The participants underwent 12 intervention sessions focusing on phonological awareness, working memory, lexical access, and reading and writing skills. The key findings were:
- Significant improvements in phonological awareness, lexical access speed, and reading and writing accuracy.
- Children at risk for dyslexia showed less improvement in reading and writing accuracy compared to their peers.
- The intervention helped differentiate between children with dyslexia and those with other learning difficulties.
Practical Applications for Practitioners
Based on these findings, here are some actionable steps practitioners can take to improve their intervention strategies:
- Focus on Phonological Awareness: Incorporate explicit and systematic teaching of phonological skills. Use multisensory methods to engage children in learning phoneme-grapheme correspondences.
- Monitor Performance Continuously: Implement regular assessments to track progress in reading and writing. This will help identify children who are not responding to interventions and may need additional support.
- Utilize a Multidisciplinary Approach: Collaborate with other professionals such as psychologists and speech-language therapists to provide comprehensive support to children.
- Analyze Error Patterns: Pay attention to the types of errors children make in reading and writing. This can provide insights into their specific difficulties and help tailor interventions accordingly.
Encouraging Further Research
While this study provides valuable insights, it's essential to continue researching and refining RTI strategies. Practitioners are encouraged to stay updated with the latest research and incorporate new findings into their practice.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Response to intervention as an identification strategy of the risk for dyslexia.
