[Relynn]

Hi,
Does anyone have useful websites/books to point to about teaching a child with dyslexia how to read? I am thinking about buying "The Source for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia", but its a bit pricey and I'm not sure how helpful it would be?
http://www.linguisystems.com/itemdetail.php?id=180
Thanks in advance
Rebecca

 

[snowmom5]

I have two pieces of advice. (1) consider an evaluation with a behavioral optometrist www.covd.org (see also http://www.children-special-needs.or..._dyslexic.html , http://www.visiontherapystories.org/..._eyesight.html ), on the chance that there is an issue with the eyes working together (which, if it's there, can be fixed with vision therapy - btdt); and (2) consider whether your dyslexic is a right-brain, visual-spatial learner (as dyslexics tend to be). See e.g. http://www.visualspatial.org/Articles/appendc.pdf. If you think this might apply, then begin teaching reading by focusing on more of a whole-word approach first, since visual-spatial learners tend to have difficulty learning phonics. It may be easier to focus more on phonics after the child has built up a large sight word vocabulary (you can do both simultaneously of course, but phonics may be frustrating - some dyslexics find it difficult to string sounds together, etc.). For more about this approach, see http://www.visualspatial.org/Articles/wholes.pdf

I'm sorry I'm not familiar with that book. Good luck!

 

[karne]

Are you homeschooling? I ask because there is a wealth of info to be had in the homeschooling/unschooling forums around reading issues.

My oldest has some visual processing issues. Whole word instruction was a disaster for her. It wasn't until she received a solid grounding in phonics, with tons of practice with controlled texts, that we saw her begin to fly with her fluency. This all took place within the course of a year, so the change was dramatic.

Many people reccomend the Orton Gillingham approach, which I believe is multi-sensory. You can google to read about it and even find tutors using this particular approach.

 

[JessicaS]

I have dyslexia and I could not read until about second grade when I had therapy.

I went straight to chapter books, the first book I ever read was Island of the Blue Dolphins, no Dr Suess or anything.

 

[Peony]

My DD1 is dyslexic. I found the book OverComing Dyslexia to be a very interesting read. http://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Dys.../dp/0375400125 Like other posters have mentioned, there are many different methods out there, I'd be hesitant to spend a ton of money on one without knowing first if that program works for your child. Different programs work for different children. OG is the big granddaddy of programs, there are a lot of off branches from OG that work well for certain children.

I paid for a week of language therapy at a center that specializes in dyslexic children so I could get their suggestions on what programs would work for DD1. My intention then was to find a program and then do it myself. That has not worked out that well for my family, DD1 really needs far more then I can do for her. Now we are interviewing with language therapists/private tutors that will work with her in reading. She has been homeschooled up until now, but more then likely will attending school next year. The person that I hope accepts her as a client, goes to the school to work with the student 4-5 days a week. I wanted someone that wasn't so strict in one program but had the knowledge/ability to tailer things to each child.

Good luck!

 

[latinmom]

My 21 year old dd has severe dyslexia, and did not learn to read until she was c. 12, and was taught phonics. They used the Wilson approach, which is similar to Orton-Gillingham. It worked miracles. There are some other theories out there. One book I liked was the Gift of Dyslexia, and I can't remember the author. He disliked phonics, so go figure!

I would look for outside help with this-a well trained person can really do wonderful things for these kids.

Good Luck!

 

[Relynn]

What part of your therapy was the most helpful? Could you describe what the therapy was like?
Thanks so much!
Rebecca

Quote:

Originally Posted by abimommy I have dyslexia and I could not read until about second grade when I had therapy. I went straight to chapter books, the first book I ever read was Island of the Blue Dolphins, no Dr Suess or anything.

 

[karne]

I'm bumping this thread back up because I am reading a book reccomended by Peony(further back in the thread) called Overcoming Dyslexia. It's incredibly detailed and interesting, including brain images of people with and without dyslexia, showing the differences.

I'm especially interested in a read aloud technique mentioned in the book where parent and child read passages of a book together. DD and I have been doing this and I think it helps with fluency-I read the passage to model, she reads the passage and I help with any missed words. We do this for a few passages, and then she reads the total of what we've read out loud to me. It doesn't take a long time and it's similar to some of the school techniques.

The Wilson method is being used in school, and for dd it's been an extremely positive experience. I'm wondering if anyone else at at home suggestions? And I'm so happy when I see a post from someone like Abimommy who has been there. Thanks!