Dyslexia and reading

[Jenivere]

I'm looking for programs that work well for visual/spacial learners with Dyslexia. My son has no diagnoses at the moment as I can not afford to have testing done but he has shown himself to be a visual/spacial learner and he fits the diagnosis for dyslexia well so I don't think approaching reading in that manner can hurt. I'm doing a lot of searches but it would be nice to find one that someone on here already has experience with.

I'm going to try Right Start math with him I think but Im just not sure how to approach reading. he is eight and I know he is frustrated and struggling.

[AAK]

Please check out the yahoo group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/dyslexiasupport2/

They are so helpful there.

I, too, suspect my dd is dyslexic with possible auditory processing issues as well. They don't seem to be severe (thankfully). I haven't the money for testing, but have been having success with the phono-graphix method. It was mentioned as one of the "good" programs in a book about why certain kids can't read. This method is detailed in the book "Reading Reflex". I found it at my library and then bought a used copy online. I have heard that it is similar to ABeCeDarian. http://www.abcdrp.com/ I have also bought the "I See Sam" series of readers which we love for the wonderful practice it gives without becoming complicated too quickly. I got mine here: http://3rsplus.com/

If, however, I find that we hit a plateau and can't seem to move through it, I will go for the Barton Reading Program. http://www.bartonreading.com/ It is different than Reading Reflex. It is an Orton-Gillinham program and is available in a format that parents can use with their kids at home. If I thought my dd was severe, I would have jumped to it right away. It is expensive though, so I wanted to hold off a bit. There are a couple schools (private) nearby that have implemented it with their kids and I have spoken with people who have been using it. The stories are truly amazing.

Amy

[yllek]

I didn't want to just read and not reply. My ds does not have dyslexia (perhaps some other issue?), but my dh and every male in his family has dyslexia. We thought for sure that ds would have it too, but instead he is reading way above grade level for kindergarten.

But I have been preparing for the likelihood that he would be dyslexic from the time he was a little baby. This is not a reading curriculum, by any means, but I wanted to recommend the book Overcoming Dyslexia. This was such an eye-opening book for me, my husband, and my mother-in-law (who went back to school to get a master's degree in learning disabilities because all three of her boys had dyslexia). It's been a while since I read it, but I distinctly remember a section in which the author describes the features of reading programs that are successful in helping dyslexic students.

Another take-home message for me was understanding that dyslexia is mostly a "disorder" (if you will) of phonological processing and not a visual processing issue (although there are many folks who are diagnosed with dyslexia who have some difficulty with visual processing and some folks who have both concurrently - so it's not totally clear-cut). Anyway, I did a TON of phonological awareness activities with ds from the time he could speak. There are some really good phonics programs out there, but many don't put enough emphasis on this area to help students with dyslexia.

My dh is still not a very good speller, but he is a doctor with excellent test scores (academic and boards), a Regent scholar who attended medical school on a full academic scholarship, and all-around brilliant guy. Of the three brothers, he is the youngest and most successful academically and professionally. He attributes much of his success to being able to work at his own pace, especially in elementary school (when he went to a private school that worked especially with LD kids), but also in middle and high school where he was given accommodations (mostly just extra time to complete assignments and take tests). I think that giving your son lots of consistent practice, but low-pressure, is a really important part of helping him to cope with his reading frustrations.

Anyway, I hope you end up finding the resources that will help your son.

[emilys_mom1]

This is a great one: http://www.readinghorizonsathome.com/default.aspx/

[lisac77]

My 6.5yo son attends public school, but because of his issues I also teach him reading and math at home. We don't have a specific diagnosis yet, but all signs point to dyslexia or a similar reading disorder.

I've been using Right Start math with him and he has made AMAZING progress with it. It has definitely helped him keep up at school, and now that he has some mastery in it, the lessons are pretty short, which is nice.

As far as reading it took forever to find a program that would work for him. We were using the school's method for a long time but nothing was working. I started the ABeCeDarian program with him about a month ago and he's made solid progress with it, but it is challenging for him. He has to work really hard to blend those sounds!

[Jenivere]

Thank you! I'll look up the resources mentioned when we get back from the library. I had a friend suggest color overlays; has anyone ever heard of them?

[chfriend]

Just want to throw out: www.progressivephonics.com

It's explicit phonics instruction with shared reading. It's free and the stories are funny and not baby-ish.

It's free, but you have to register.

[ocelotmom]

Originally Posted by Jenivere

Thank you! I'll look up the resources mentioned when we get back from the library. I had a friend suggest color overlays; has anyone ever heard of them?

It apparently works well for some percentage of kids with dyslexia, but isn't a magic fix for everyone.

Originally Posted by chfriend

Just want to through out: www.progressivephonics.com

It's explicit phonics instruction with shared reading. It's free and the stories are funny and not baby-ish.

It's free, but you have to register.

This has worked well for us too, and is the first program DS was actually willing/able to use. He's made a lot of progress with it. (DS, 6.5, is not diagnosed with anything, but definitely has a harder time with language skills than other subjects.)