OT: reading program for visual learners

[Guest guest]

This is in response to the someone on another board who was

interested in a reading program for a non-verbal child. My SIL had

found an effective one for her son in California but it is not

limited to that area (and he is verbal). After a few very troubling

years in school, they found out my nephew is dyslexic.

The web site is simply: http://www.dyslexia.com

There is a book too, The Gift of Dyslexia, that tells about the

teaching and thought proceses. The is probably available in the

library or book store. Apparently it is designed for those who are

very visual learners. When asked, my SIL said she saw improvement the

first week. They have you and the child (if possible) answer a list

of questions and then do some trials to see where the child is at in

his learning. They tailor fit the program to fit the child's needs,

not the other way around. She said it is interesting because they

developed the program initially for autistic kids, although many

people can benefit from it including ASD and ADD/ADHD. Anyone who

finds they are not succeeding with the regular public school methods

may find some help here. She said her son is now after two months,

able to read out loud in class, take tests, and do homework in a

timely manner (he is 10 and 5th grade).

She said it is based on the fact that although a visual learner can

come up with mental images to relate to for most nouns - cat, dog,

building, teacher - they have a terrible time trying to make sense

out of the more abstract ones like of, most, would, shall, upon, for,

at, etc. Since these words give tremendous meaning to the language,

it is important to be able work with them. The program teaches how

to " see " these words and interpret written language. My nephew was

doing something with clay to learn the first set of words. It is not

an indefinite process. You go for may a few months of training

depending on how you can fit it in your schedule and how quickly you

learn.

It teaches them how to deal with written language when you can't make

sense of it initially. She also advised not to get put-off by the

label of " dyslexic " because they teach many types of children and

kids without the label can improve their learning by this method. The

web site and book have more details. It would be good to look into if

you haven't found good results by other means.

Hope this helps someone,

.