[Simtrainer-l] Lexie or Dyslexie fonts

Tue Oct 4 12:45:43 CDT 2016

Hi Group,

Don Deshler and I briefly considered my dissertation research investigating
the effects of dyslexic-specific fonts. Around that time (2010-2011) I was
not able to find much empirical research in this small field. It was
thought that the difference in weighing letters--such as giving the
lowercase b a thicker, flared base would help distinguish it from letters
like a lowercase h or d, and spacing the letters and words
differently--would aid those with dyslexia read more effectively.

Well our research idea never came to fruition but earlier this summer a
study was published on the effects of the font Dyslexie. In a sample size
of 39 students grades 2-6, students were asked to read four different
passages in four different treatments comparing the Dyslexie and Arieal
fonts. Results suggest that the unequal weighting of letters mattered less
than the letter and word spacing. I did not come away from this article
feeling as if the font was especially *good or bad*, but in this singular
study, appeared to somewhat help those with dyslexia.

Anecdotally, when I was completing my doctoral work and teaching middle
school, I first stumbled across a different font, Open Dyslexic. Here is
the link <http://opendyslexic.org/>. I spoke with the author of this font
and really enjoyed using it. I used it in visual presentations with my
middle school students and find that it is simply very pleasing and easy to
read when on a computer or in a presentation. I am familiar with both
Dyxlexie and Open Dyslexic but cannot speak to the design
or research differences. Here is a visual example the Open Dyslexic website
provides of some font differences:

I have attached the article from summer 2016.

Sincerely,

Dan Pollitt

-- 
Daniel T. Pollitt, PhD
University of Kansas
Department of Special Education
608.332.7155

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money."

--Ernie Banks

On Tue, Oct 4, 2016 at 12:25 PM, Susan Woodruff via Simtrainer-l <
simtrainer-l at lists.ku.edu> wrote:

> In case you can’t see the font in your email, I took a picture of the
> post, so you can see how I posted it originally.  Patty responded and said
> she couldn’t see any difference in the fonts.  Hope this helps anyone who
> didn’t see the difference.
>
>
>
>
> On Oct 4, 2016, at 1:19 PM, SIMTRAINER-L <simtrainer-l at lists.ku.edu>
> wrote:
>
> Interesting. Various approaches work for various individuals. Since the
> font is free, it could be worth trying as long as the person with dyslexia
> understands that it may not work for them and other approaches can be
> tried.  Here is an interesting article from Guinevere Eden of Georgetown
> University Medical Center. https://www.understood.org/en/learning-
> attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/is-there-a-certain-
> font-that-works-best-for-kids-with-dyslexia
>
> BTW, I don’t think the font was different in my email, and I had it set
> for HTML.
> Patty
> --
> Patricia Sampson Graner, PhD
>
>
>
>
>
> *University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning Director of
> Professional Development SIM® Professional Developer 1122 West Campus Rd
>  ::  JRP, 708 Lawrence, KS 66045 *pgraner at ku.edu
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>
> From: Simtrainer-l <simtrainer-l-bounces at lists.ku.edu> on behalf of SIM
> Listserv <simtrainer-l at lists.ku.edu>
> Reply-To: Susan Woodruff <swoodruf at me.com>
> Date: Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 11:00 AM
> To: SIM Listserv <simtrainer-l at lists.ku.edu>
> Subject: [Simtrainer-l] Lexie or Dyslexie fonts
>
> Hello SIM PDers …
> I am doing some informal coaching with an educational therapist.  I had a
> call yesterday with him, and he shared a very interesting experience.  He
> does strategic tutoring with generally fairly high performing students with
> disabilities, or high performing parents who have students with
> disabilities.  LOL  Anyway, he was working with a young man (10th grade)
> this fall, who excels in math and science but was “diagnosed” dyslexic.  He
> shared that this student is very motivated to learn to read better.  My
> colleague with whom I am coaching had heard about a font for students with
> dyslexia called dyslexie.  He bought it, and tried it with the young man.
> The 10th grade student looked at his tutor, and said “Oh, my gosh, I
> understand this sentence!”  It was alike a lightbulb turned on in his head
> by just reading something with this particular font.
>
> As wel talked, I thought that probably he should explore this some more.
> Comprehension could arise for a variety of reasons, but I wondered if
> anyone else had used or heard about the applications of a particular font.
>
> As I have explored on the internet, I’ve found that a font called lexie
> can be downloaded for free.  The font has wider spaces and looks more like
> printing.
>
> In fact, I downloaded it and added it to my font file.  This is lexie font
> that I downloaded for free.
>
> You can also download dyslexie for free or buy a package that you can
> install and use with e-readers, websites, etc. You can see it is similar,
> but quite a bit larger.  The small q looks like this: q, and the capital q
> looks like this: Q.  This is the font that my colleague is using.  You can
> check it out here:
> https://www.dyslexiefont.com/
>
> Anyway, I was wondering what your thoughts are on this or if anyone has
> experiences or insights they would like to share.
>
> Jean Schumaker - Very curious how this might impact writing and if it is
> actually legitimate.  Anyone know how dyslexia is actually diagnosed??  In
> several states there are separate categories for dyslexics.  In my work in
> Texas, there is a separate certifications and guidelines that are different
> from special ed.  Just looking to learn and expand my knowledge in this
> area.
>
> I know this is long, and I thank everyone who hung with me.  :-)  or in
> dyslexie:  :-)
> Thanks everyone…
> Sue
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>
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