Dyslexia - the Signs to Look For

Dyslexia in Children - Reading Games to Help Your Child Read

Most of the time you can trust the diagnosing dyslexia and dyslexia treatment of your children to skilled teachers in your local education system. Dyslexia in children is now routinely screened for and detected. But every parent wants to help his or her kids do better in school.

And many parents feel that the education of their children is too important to pass off to the teachers and forget about. If you have a child with dyslexia or a child who is having difficulty in reading you want to help. You want to get involved in homework, interact with your child and understand how the child is progressing.

Fortunately there are a variety of tools available to help you in this.

First off, there is a line of computer games used in the diagnosis of dyslexia in children that you might want to look into. There is a whole series of such games developed by The Diagnostic Gaming Company, with different games used for different ages and stages of development of the children they are designed to test.

Qualified specialists have participated in the design and testing of these games, to make them useful tools in early dyslexia screening and testing.

It ends up being just some fun games for the children to play. They usually have no idea that there is some kind of test involved. A parent or teacher reads the manual first, understands what is supposed to happen and can just unobtrusively watch while the children play. Parts of the games are designed to test for dyslexia symptoms.

If a child has a potential problem with some dyslexic condition, then that child will have difficulties with certain parts of the game. An adult observer who knows the rules from reading the handbook can quickly see, and make note of, the specific problem area. Then armed with the info a specialist can be consulted.

Also there are games available that help treat dyslexia symptoms in children. Games have been developed using proven methods to help dyslexic children work around and overcome their problems. Trained specialists have incorporated these methods and techniques into games that children find to be both entertaining and fun.

That makes the games easy to teach the children and play with. This, as well as being highly effective in teaching useful skills and ways to overcome dyslexia symptoms.

These games are easy to obtain over the Internet. You can download them and print out the parts that need to be printed out. Then you read over the instructions and start playing the games with your children. For many games the whole thing can be downloaded, printed out and started playing within minutes.

For more information on dyslexia in children, the diagnosis of dyslexia and reading games to help your child read, just follow the links below...

[By the way, if you have a dyslexic child, have YOU ever been tested for dyslexia? There's a genetic link you know... it runs in families. The links below will also take you to sources for adult dyslexia testing...]

For more detailed information about diagnosing dyslexia in children by using games, visit: Dyslexia in Children.

For information about treating dyslexia symptoms by using games to help your child learn to read, visit: Dyslexia Treatments

Jorge G. Chavez is a researcher, analyst and writer at overcoming-dyslexia.

What is it Like to Have Dyslexia?

HELP! A Parent's Dilemma in Choosing the Right Learning Exercises Program for their Child

The key to understanding how to assist a child is determining where their weaknesses and their strengths are and then implementing therapy and teaching strategies designed specifically on the individual student's profiles. This writer has found in her professional practice that the majority of educators and other teaching specialists truly are concerned about the children they work with and want their students to be successful in the classroom. However, the constraints of curriculum guidelines, class schedules and the lack of training put them at a loss in knowing how to teach those children that do not learn in traditional ways. When a parent searches the term "learning problem", sites found most often direct him or her to further subcategorize the issue(s) as comprehension problems, dyslexia, spelling difficulty, attention span, etc.. Parents are left to wonder, "Does my child have a learning disability or is he/she just lazy?"..."Why doesn't my child have the same good grades as his/her siblings or friends." They leave parent-teacher meetings with discussions of test results, grade worksheets, learning activities no less confused in how best to help their child. These parents spend countless hours researching possible remedial programs that may assist their children. There are so many...where does one begin?

When searching for the best method of learning exercises, one can find a vast array of programs which promote their own organized method of learning remediation. Some of the more noted programs are Sylvan Learning Centers, Huntington Learning Centers, Fast ForWord, Earobics, Lindamood-Bell, and so on. But how does one know which learning program is right for their child? Identifying the root, or source of the problem is the key to knowing which program is right for a very specific, very individualized style of learning, instead of masking the problem with a coping technique or compensatory strategy. My clinical experience leads me to recommend the development of a "whole-child" assessment to determine where in the neurological process the learning deficit originates and to then establish the style of learning most appropriate for the child. Then, the learning therapies and/or treatment approach can be designed to accommodate specific needs.

The human brain is a complex, but extremely interesting organ of the body that works systematically as a whole. Many factors contribute to its abilities to learn and function. Brain learning happens through environmental influences, genetic networks, and by way of experiences. Those who study the theory of brain-based learning believe that learning is best achieved when the brain is stimulated through a variety of senses and combined processing experiences. The functions of the brain and how differently they learn from individual to individual remains a mystery to many in the field of neuroscience. But what is clear is that we all process and learn information in our own, unique ways. What may be an appropriate way of learning for one, may be inadequate for another. Some individuals learn through their visual senses, or "seeing" the process in action. Auditory learners gain understanding through hearing new information. Others may need to touch and feel the concept that is being taught. And then there are those who learn through body movements and expression of self in space. In actuality, most children (and adults) use several styles of learning at the same time to accomplish their learning needs. Identifying learning strengths is one part to program selection.

The next step to this process is determining the areas of neurological weakness that actually needs remediation. Learning deficits are often grouped into different areas of processing weakness. A processing deficit interferes with the way a person understands the information presented to them. This can occur in the processing of visual, hearing, or motor information and in the presence of normal hearing, vision, and motor skills. One who struggles in learning may display problems in the following processes: in the speed of which the brain transfers information from area to area;, in the ability to attend and stay on task; in the way that auditory information is adequately processed and made sense of; in the ability to remember information and retrieve it as needed; in the ability to visually create and picture information in the mind; and in the ability to use language information for reasoning and application.

Knowing where to start begins with finding a professional that understands learning styles and processing deficits. This assistance can be found in speech therapy, occupational therapy, and specialized learning clinics as well as through on-line consultative services that are becoming more affordable and convenient where needed services are not geographically available. Do know from the very start that making a change in your child will mean making a sacrifice of time, money, and patience. There are usually no quick fixes - no magical cures. However, the investment made in a loved one's learning applications will be so rewarding in the end. It will definitely be worth the sacrifice

As a Speech/Language Pathologist of any years and one who has a goal to assist as many struggling learners as possible, I would like to share a quote from a mother who had been given no hope by her daughter's teachers that her little girl would ever be able to learn to read.
"I knew there was a way she could learn to read, it just took finding the person that knew how to make that happen."

This little girl is now reading almost on grade level and is close to being dismissed from her Learning Disabilities-Special Education Program.

Many children, or adults for that matter, who demonstrate struggles in their abilities to learn skills such as reading, spelling, writing, and mathematical application can be helped. By seeking out the assistance of professional that specialize in learning style exercises and processing therapy the appropriate program, or combination of programs can be of invaluable asset to the intervention plan. There is hope for the struggling learner! With correct diagnosis, children dealing with the affects of learning disorders can achieve more productively and effectively in their pursuit of personal life goals and ambitions.

My Experience with Dyslexia

My name is Nick Cooke and I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I was 9. All through my educational life I have struggled. Throughout Primary school before I was diagnosed, my parents were told that I was a trouble maker and that I needed to be disciplined more.

I would never do my homework, I couldn’t concentrate in class, my grades were never above average, my spelling and punctuation was poor and I very quickly started to fall behind. At this point my parents decided to get me tested for dyslexia. After a couple of hours of fun games my parents were told that I was dyslexic.
Myself and my parents were told of different learning techniques that would slowly help me improve in school.

I had always dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot for the RAF. However I was always told by friends that I would never make it. Despite my academic problems I have always been exceptional at hand-eye-foot co-ordination and special awareness which are two of the main attributes required to become a pilot.

Despite what everyone one said I still had my heart set on being a RAF pilot. Taking a number of techniques which my parents had been told about, my teachers started to notice a small improvement. The techniques included learning things in threes such as my times tables e.g. 1 x 2 = 2, 2 x 2 = 4, 3 x 2 = 6……… I also started taking special tablets including cod liver oil pills. They say fish is brain food.

Throughout secondary school I worked hard putting the different learning techniques into practice. Despite my efforts I was still told by my teachers that I won’t get any GCSEs and to start looking at other options. My parents were not happy at the lack encouragement I received from my teachers. I put lots of effort every night to get me up to standard. When it came to my GCSE exams I was told that I would not be entered into any exam where I could achieve a grade C which is the minimum I needed for my career in the RAF. Both myself and my parents were furious at this and demanded I was entered into the higher exam. I work hard both with my parents and in after school classes to get my self ready for my GCSEs.

When my results came I had achieved exactly what I needed for my GCSEs. The feeling I had when I saw my results was like nothing I had ever experienced before. I was able to carry on with my education and continue to aim for my career as a fighter pilot.

I believe that this story alone proves that a lot of teachers don’t know enough about dyslexia and need to be trained to higher standards and be more understanding about the disorder. This story also proves that if you are dyslexic you can still do what you want in life. All you have to do is try harder than everyone else.

Does Your Child Have Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning disability around reading and writing. It is thought to affect 1 out of 5 people. Often children with dyslexia are only diagnosed after experiencing serious difficulties at school. They have self esteem and emotional issues added to their learning disability that are often difficult to overcome.

People who have reading and writing problems are often regarded as less intelligent as well. People with dyslexia have a great many things they are talented at and enjoy doing, the same as everyone else.

Humans learn about the world in a variety of ways. We learn by doing and using things. We learn from others by copying, watching or talking to each other. We get information from the radio, television and films.

We also learn through reading (literacy). This is the area of learning that is hard for a person with dyslexia. It must be recognize that there are degrees of disability as well.

In the modern world we are surrounded by print. Not being able to decipher print impinges on everyday living. This is why research into DYSLEXIA is so important so the knowledge can be used to develop programs to help the many people who have difficulty learning to read.

DYSLEXIA FACTS

• Dyslexia is something a person is born with and they will have it all their lives.
• It is common. It is estimated that 1 in 5 people have some degree of dyslexia.
• It is estimated that 70-85% or more of children with learning disabilities are dyslexic.
• People with dyslexia have average or above average intelligence the same as non dyslexic people do.
• The most common manifestation is difficulty in recognizing words, but there are many other symptoms.
• Deficits are more often with spelling than reading.
• Problem with short term auditory memory and short term visual memory often occur.
• Problems with co-ordination, fine motor control and hand-eye co-ordination can be symptoms
• Reading difficulties can be related to visual-processing.
• Reading delays can be associated with auditory-processing difficulties
• Dyslexia can't be effectively treated using traditional reading or tutoring programs.
• Cognitive (mental) training is the most effective treatment for dyslexia.

If your child has any of the following symptoms do not assume he or she is not trying or misbehaving. It is important to get an assessment by someone who understands dyslexia and learning difficulties.

DYSLEXIA SYMPTOMS

• Lacks concentration.
• Quickly forgets what he or she has learned.
• Reads slowly and hesitantly, little fluency.
• Reverses letters like b and d, either when reading or writing.
• Reads or writes letters in the wrong order, like felt as left.
• Reads with poor comprehension.
• Spells words as they sound, for example rite for right.
• Has a poor or slow handwriting.
• Battles to use writing as a communication tool.
• Struggles with maths.
• Has problems expressing him or herself or lacks understanding others.
• Is often clumsy and uncoordinated.

Current research supports that dyslexia is inherited.

Research into the auditory and visual physiology problems which commonly affect people with dyslexia is well advanced. Researchers are interested in trying to understand more about how dyslexics hear speech sounds. The emphasis is on trying to work out which speech sounds give the greatest problem and why.

The results of this research will be used to design effective remediation programmes so that dyslexics' difficulties with speech perception may be alleviated. Another cause of confusion is that many dyslexics seem to have unstable visual perception, perhaps because their eye control is different from that of normal subjects. This often makes them very artistically talented, but poor at accurately segmenting the fine details of print required for rapid reading and correct spelling.

Some simple ways of improving the visual perception of dyslexic sufferers have already been discovered. Visual perception difficulties can be fixed in 98 to 99 per cent of cases by using light-filtering coloured lenses, while difficulty in analysing sounds can be helped through several months of training.

Most adults with dyslexia struggle with study and the demands of jobs which require good literacy. Undiagnosed cases can lead to depression and even suicide.

It is imperative that each child who has trouble with reading is helped and supported as soon as the problem is noticed.

The earlier the better but it is never too late to seek professional support.

When something is named and acknowledged something can be done about it. if someone in your family or your child has dyslexia there are lots of ways to work around any difficulties.

Dyslexia is a manageable condition, but you have to know you have it and you have to know how to manage it.

Marilyn Martyn has been a teacher for over thirty-five years teaching English to five year olds through to adults. Her concern is for the children, teenagers and adults who did not learn the basics of reading in their early years of schooling. Reading is a skill. The most important skill we learn in the educational system. Poor literacy skills cause low self-esteem and limit life's opportunities. THE GOOD NEWS IT IS NOT DIFFICULT TO LEARN TO READ AND IT IS NEVER TOO LATE!

Her website http://www.superlearner.com.au is a reading resource and she invites interested parents and others to view the contents.

Coping With Adult Dyslexia

Adult dyslexia isn't a life-threatening illness, it is a disorder. Not handling it honestly renders it more debilitating than it actually is, so it's time to view things in perspective.

Though dyslexics have difficulties in reading and spelling, this is not an intellectural disability. It's a disorder of the neuroses that must be properly diagnosed to receive the required help at school or at work.

You should alter how you perceive the disorder in order to get help for it. You'll be able to live with how it affects your personal and career life by being aware of the disorder better.

Dyslexia At Work
Adult dyslexia is apparent in these behaviors:
* Difficulty in speech recognition
* Difficulty in following detailed discussions
* Reading comprehension is poor
* Numbers such as 69 and 96 are interchanged
* Challenge in spelling* Abysmal or short-term memory
* Focus is abysmal

Afraid of being ridiculed, many adult dyslexics who aren't aware of their disorder typically hide their struggle. However, proper testing can let them come to terms with their disorder. Moreover, the office can also provide the required assistance to help dyslexics deal.

Dyslexics attempt to avoid number calculations, writing, and reading and suffer from low self-esteem unless they're properly diagnosed. However, dyslexics are creative and smart, and they usually excel in painting, acting, and music.

Dyslexia in College
College students who are dyslexic are common. To cope with the demands of life in university, they're given the required support when diagnosed with the disorder. Indeed, they don't have to be sent to special school for the mentally-disabled.

There are many ways to hurdle struggles posed by dyslexia, but pupils are learning to deal utilizing computers and techniques in note-taking, improving concentration, and using available grants for dyslexic pupils.

Pupils such as George Patton, Pierre Curie, and Albert Einstein discredit the myth that dyslexics cannot finish college. These people succeeded in school and gave their outstanding world contributions while dealing with dyslexia.

Dealing with the Disorder
By knowing your challenges, you can instead focus on your creative abilities. This way, you become productive, channeling your efforts elsewhere.

Tell people that you learn in a different way, but you are capable of doing a good job, as well. Use the computer to the maximum in the office. Make it your other brain by having it do the reading and the spelling for you.

It is a case of being truthful about the disorder with one's self and with others. Life will be easier for you and your co-workers. Coping with dyslexia will be simpler, as well.


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