Supporting Black Students With Dyslexia – Bridging The Educational Gap
- Brainz Magazine
- Sep 2, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 8, 2025
Dr. Lauren, founder of Resilience Unlimited, is a seasoned educator, life coach, and entrepreneur, bringing unparalleled expertise to the organization. As a black woman with ADHD, she profoundly understands diverse challenges, covering trauma healing, education, parenting, and more.
Supporting Black students with dyslexia involves addressing unique challenges and dismantling systemic barriers that impact their educational journey. Explore practical strategies and insights to bridge the educational gap and foster a more inclusive and equitable learning environment.
Overcoming academic barriers: Supporting black students with dyslexia
Dyslexia, a common neurodevelopmental disorder, is often studied in the context of White students, leaving a significant gap in understanding how it uniquely affects Black students. This underrepresentation leads to compounded challenges in traditional educational settings, where systemic issues like a lack of teacher diversity and inadequate training on dyslexia further disadvantage Black students.
Systemic Challenges Black students with dyslexia face systemic barriers that contribute to an ongoing achievement gap. Factors like teacher quality, academic rigor, and exposure to literacy-rich environments are deeply influenced by structural racism. These challenges often result in reactive responses from educators, which can exacerbate the difficulties faced by Black students.
The Need for Representation and Change Representation in education is critical. Black students benefit from educators who understand their cultural contexts and are trained in effective, structured literacy interventions.
Addressing unconscious bias and systemic racism within schools is essential for improving literacy outcomes and closing the achievement gap for Black students with dyslexia.
Action steps to support your child
Seek assessment: If you suspect dyslexia, get your child assessed by a specialist. Retesting may be necessary as your child grows.
Use structured literacy programs: Consider programs like Orton-Gillingham, offering systematic and personalized instruction.
Explore alternatives: If traditional methods are costly, look into community-based programs, online resources, and consistent home practices.
Practice mindfulness: Help your child manage overstimulation and emotions through mindfulness exercises.
Ensure culturally relevant teaching: Advocate for educational approaches that respect and incorporate your child's cultural background.
Stay engaged: Regular communication with educators ensures that home and school work together for your child's success.
These steps can help your child overcome the challenges of dyslexia, fostering academic success and personal growth. If you'd like to learn more, book a free discovery call.
Dr. Lauren McClenney-Rosenstein, Neuro-Holistic Life Coach & Educational Therapist
Dr. Lauren, founder of Resilience Unlimited, is a seasoned educator, life coach, and entrepreneur, bringing unparalleled expertise to the organization. As a black woman with ADHD, she profoundly understands diverse challenges, covering trauma healing, education, parenting, and more. With over twelve years of experience internationally and domestically, Dr. Lauren prioritizes transformative journeys for families and women of color, emphasizing growth over survival. Committed to personal transformation, she guides clients with a compassionate, non-judgmental approach tailored to their unique needs. Embark on your journey to success with Dr. Lauren as your empowering guide at Resilience Unlimited.
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