Structured Literacy for Neurodiverse Learners: Building Pathways, Not Lowering Expectations
(Room 550 A/B)
13 Nov 26
9:00 AM
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10:00 AM
Tracks:
Instructional Excellence: Achieving Success
Neurodiverse learners are the norm in today's classrooms, not the exception. Dyslexia affects an estimated 15–20% of the population, ADHD affects approximately 9–11% of school-aged children, and autism prevalence is now estimated at 1 in 36 children. Yet many literacy struggles stem not from low ability, but from instructional environments that rely on implicit teaching methods. This session applies Science of Reading research to show how special education leaders can strengthen instruction using structured literacy principles. Presenters explain why reading requires explicit instruction to build neural pathways that connect phonological, orthographic, and semantic processing systems. Participants will explore practical, evidence-based strategies, including systematic phonemic awareness routines, multisensory manipulatives, and scaffolded text-analysis techniques. Leaders leave with actionable tools grounded in structured literacy that remove barriers without lowering expectations, helping neurodiverse learners meet grade-level goals through explicit, systematic instruction.