Reading-what a wonderful part of life! But it doesn't always come easy...

To begin this article I feel it important to start with an apology. Not for the article itself, but an apology to my two sons, yes I have two sons. To my first son he was never diagnosed. I didn't even know of LD then. I am sorry I did not research this sooner, I am sorry I did not always know to do some of the things I am doing now...

We all assume it is most important to get our special kids ready for school, but in reality, parents and teachers are equally important. Before I start, I must make one point. Every child is different, but even more diverse are those labeled, Dyslexic, ADHD, LD, and scores of other labels. Diverse not only because they have areas of weakness, but without fail they also have some areas of great strength. However, even those labeled only dyslexic will have different levels of strengths and weaknesses in different areas. Discovering your child's areas of strength are key in finding ways to keep the learning processes going and ensure success in school. Teaching to their strengths is the best way for parents and teachers to assure there success.

If you are looking for material about dyslexia and things to help you teach a child to read, you can find a lot of information about Orton-Gillingham online, for free. There are web sites for many other methods, such as the Davis method. What works for one child may not work as well for another. My suggestion is to read to the child and to show the child how the different methods work.

Another interesting thing to do is to get a list of "Dolch words" - these are the words the "average 1st grader learns first" you can find them on the internet or go to downloads page. To a dyslexic child, some of these words are incomprehensible for years! In fact, if I were giving a test for dyslexia, I think the first thing I would do would be to hand that list to a child, read the words, and then give them the list to read to me. If they can read it, I would then give them the same words, all mixed up. The dyslexic child won't have a clue what any of the words are if they aren't exactly in the order you read them to them!! But that child may well be able to repeat back to you ANYTHING you read aloud to them. This is how they cope in school! The teacher reads a page to the class. The kids read along. The dyslexic child memorizes the page. The next time the teacher says "read page XX", the dyslexic child opens the book, remembers what the teacher said, and often can parrot it, word for word! The teacher, of course, thinks this child reads very well!

Once you decide on a reading program. The most important key to teaching a dyslexic child is to explain to them that they are not "stupid" or "dumb" but merely have some sort of "short circuit" that makes reading difficult. They need to know that they have the ability to figure it out, in time, but it may be a struggle while they are learning.

I've read volumes of materials on dyslexia, remedial reading and other subjects connected to reading. Most of it was, to put it bluntly, garbage! You cannot teach a dyslexic child to read until the child is ready to learn! Dyslexic children cannot be taught by rote like other children! It doesn't work. They learn differently; they see differently; and they hear differently. And they aren't slow learners! Most dyslexic children are extremely intelligent and able to use this intelligence to by-pass their inability to read. Especially in my son's case, He fooled everyone accept me. That he couldn't read! Well at first I thought he was just trying to get out of reading until he burst out crying "I don't know how too mum".

With that in mind I hope you can sort through the maze a little better than I did.

Dyslexia is more than just a reading problem.

What about spelling?

Handwriting

Math can be another

♦Can a bright child do poorly in reading, writing, spelling, and math?

♦Can a bright child have low self-esteem and feel he/she is "stupid" and disappointing to parents and teachers?

♦Can a bright child spend hours struggling to complete school assignments?

♦Can a bright child be smart in everything but school?

YES...

 Before anything get their eyes tested it should be done by a Behavioral Optometrist.