The role of professionals in detection and support in bilingual settings

Dyslexia, a learning disorder that affects reading, writing, and spelling, presents particular challenges in bilingual environments. Early recognition and appropriate support are fundamental for the academic and emotional success of students with dyslexia who navigate contexts involving two languages. In this context, professionals play a crucial role in detection and the design of effective support strategies.

This session explores the essential role of professionals in the identification, evaluation, and support of students with dyslexia in bilingual environments, highlighting best practices and student-centered approaches.

Challenges of Dyslexia in Bilingual Environments

The introduction contextualizes the unique challenges faced by students with dyslexia in bilingual environments. It addresses the complexity of acquiring two languages and how the symptoms of dyslexia can manifest differently in each language. The importance of a comprehensive approach that considers both dyslexia and bilingualism is emphasized.

The first step in the role of professionals is early detection. Specific signs of dyslexia in bilingual children are explored here, including difficulties in phonological awareness, the relationship between letters and sounds, and reading fluency in both languages. Professionals must be alert to interlinguistic differences in the presentation of dyslexia.

Linguistically and Culturally Relevant Assessment

The assessment of bilingual students with dyslexia requires a linguistically and culturally relevant approach. Best practices for conducting evaluations that consider linguistic and cultural diversity are discussed, ensuring that the results accurately reflect the students' abilities and needs in both languages.

The role of professionals involves close collaboration with parents and educators. Strategies to foster open and effective communication are highlighted, providing resources and guidance to families on how to support their children at home. Furthermore, the importance of continuous training for educators in specific strategies for bilingual students with dyslexia is underscored.

Professionals must be able to design personalized intervention programs that address the specific needs of each bilingual student with dyslexia. This section explores pedagogical strategies, adaptations, and