#AboutLastNight on My Weekly Special Needs Awareness Radio Show

#AboutLastNight

We had an interesting time discussing "Reading Assessments and Clinical Evaluations in Special and Inclusive Education" @ Kiss 99.9 Fm last night.

In commemoration of the World Book Reading Day, I thanked all teachers who have taught children to read in one way or the other.
I began the topic by explaining that the reasons why reading assessments are important are for early identification of struggling readers and also to equip them with strategies to overcome their challenges with reading.

I also explained the 3 major benefits of phonic instructions for beginning readers which are that it helps with:

a. Better word recognition.
b. Better reading comprehension.
c. Better reading vocabulary.

I further explained the 3 processes involved in early reading which are equally the areas that most readers are likely to experience challenges. The processes are:

i. Phonemic awareness: An understanding that words are made up of sounds called phonemes.

ii. Association of graphemes (letters) with their corresponding phonemes (sounds) for easy decoding and encoding of words.

iii. Reading fluency (i.e reading effortlessly and smoothly) for the purpose of comprehension (i.e understanding).

I mentioned a few diagnostic reading tests such as:

a. The Diagnostic Indicator of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS)

b.The Basic Reading Skill Assessment (BRSA), and

c. The Standardized Test for Assessment of Reading (STAR).

I concluded by explaining that most Diagnostic Reading Tests assess skills such as:

1. Oral Reading
2. Assessment of Reading Comprehension (i.e literal comprehension, Inferential comprehension, critical comprehension, affective comprehension and lexical comprehension).
3. Assessment of Word Attack Skills; and
4. Assessment of Word Recognition.

Dr. Fakudze, our in house clinical child psychologist spoke extensively on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM -V) and the advancement in technology for some psychological tools to enhance quick and effective diagnosis. And Mrs. Chinwe Nonyerem Ikaraoha (Assistant Director Special Duties, National Orientation Agency, FCT Directorate Abuja) highlighted some collaborative ways in which her office can ensure that assessments are carried out effectively in special and inclusive education.

Join us again next week, same time, same station.

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