[Simtrainer-l] Lexie or Dyslexie fonts

Tue Oct 4 17:16:00 CDT 2016

This is all really intriguing— I appreciate information and wish there could be more empirical research of efficacy of the use of these fonts compared to the more typical fonts in texts etc.  Not on my to do list at the moment, but if anyone finds other quantitative research on these (or other?) fonts successfully  used with individuals with dyslexia, that would be great to share.  I am mindful that some techniques gain popularity but not sustainability (or sometimes not even real utility) and some even seem to be nearly miraculous until solid empirical research proves otherwise (facilitated communication comes to mind, used in the field of autism in the 90’s until empirical research debunked it).  So, yes, my age is showing!

If you have lived long enough, you will notice that dyslexia, a term much more in favor in the late 60’s and 70’s (along with "minimal brain dysfunction”, which was the precursor for LD that then went “out” when the "specific learning disabilities" “umbrella” term encompassed the more specific diagnoses like dyslexia, dysgraphia, etc.)   Now dyslexia (which diagnostically never really left the building) seems to be the preferred buzz word getting focus in some settings, including teacher prep programs at some universities…….crazy.

K

Kathy Boyle-Gast, 
Educational Consultant, LLC
Strategic Instruction Model™ 
Professional Developer

kbgast at earthlink.net
kbgast at uga.edu

"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."  ~ Christopher Robin to Pooh

> On Oct 4, 2016, at 2:51 PM, SIMTRAINER-L <simtrainer-l at lists.ku.edu> wrote:
> 
> Sounds like a great study.
>  
> Mike
>  
> From: Simtrainer-l <simtrainer-l-bounces at lists.ku.edu> on behalf of "Daniel T. Pollitt via Simtrainer-l" <simtrainer-l at lists.ku.edu>
> Reply-To: "Pollitt, Daniel Thomas" <dpollitt at ku.edu>
> Date: Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 12:45 PM
> To: Susan Woodruff <swoodruf at me.com>
> Cc: SIMTRAINER-L <simtrainer-l at lists.ku.edu>
> Subject: Re: [Simtrainer-l] Lexie or Dyslexie fonts
>  
> 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 <mailto: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.
>>  
>> <image001.jpg>
>>  
>>  
>>  
>>> On Oct 4, 2016, at 1:19 PM, SIMTRAINER-L <simtrainer-l at lists.ku.edu <mailto: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 <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
>>> O: 785.864.0622 <tel:785.864.0622> :: F: 785.864.5728 <tel:785.864.5728>
>>> "Teachers make every other profession”
>>> Start here to find The SIM Page <http://sim.kucrl.org/>
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>>> KUCRL's Mission: Our work centers on solving the problems that limit individuals’ quality of life and their ability to learn and perform in school, work, home, or the community.
>>>  
>>> From: Simtrainer-l <simtrainer-l-bounces at lists.ku.edu <mailto:simtrainer-l-bounces at lists.ku.edu>> on behalf of SIM Listserv <simtrainer-l at lists.ku.edu <mailto:simtrainer-l at lists.ku.edu>>
>>> Reply-To: Susan Woodruff <swoodruf at me.com <mailto:swoodruf at me.com>>
>>> Date: Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 11:00 AM
>>> To: SIM Listserv <simtrainer-l at lists.ku.edu <mailto: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/ <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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