| While home schooling a dyslexic child has no shortage | | | | Barten, Wilson and ABC Reading are also good and |
| of challenges, your task of teaching your dyslexic | | | | are all based on the Orten-Gillingham approach. This |
| child at home can become easier and more rewarding | | | | method is language-based, multisensory, sequential, |
| with the right tools. | | | | systematic and has produced good results. |
| Sure, you'll still have your share of setbacks, but it's | | | | The Orten-Gillingham method starts by having the |
| so rewarding when you finally see those little | | | | student read and write the basic letter sounds. The |
| breakthroughs suddenly develop into major a | | | | student learns short vowel sounds and consonant |
| progression in your child's comprehension. | | | | sounds. Simple words are learned first. |
| First of all, just what is Dyslexia? According to | | | | Once the easy C-A-T type words are learned, then |
| Answers.com, Dyslexia is a learning disability | | | | they move on to long vowels, diphthongs (vowels |
| characterized by problems in reading, spelling, writing, | | | | that make two gliding speech sounds which are |
| speaking, or listening. In many cases, dyslexia appears | | | | usually interpreted as one, ex. Oi,oy), digraphs ( two |
| to be inherited. | | | | vowels that make one sound ) and blends. Spelling is |
| Dyslexic children seem to have trouble learning early | | | | learned right along with reading. Review is continuous. |
| reading skills, problems hearing individual sounds in | | | | After the student has mastered words, then the |
| words, analyzing whole words in parts, and blending | | | | same type of systematic approach is used for |
| sounds into words. Letters such as "d" and "b" may | | | | learning vocabulary, sentence structure, reading |
| be confused. | | | | comprehension, and composition. Again, review is |
| Often, a person with dyslexia has a problem | | | | continuous. |
| translating language into thought (such as in listening | | | | While all of the above mentioned programs are good, |
| or reading), or translating thought into language (such | | | | it may be you are looking for a less expensive way |
| as in writing or speaking). | | | | of helping your child. It is not that difficult but you |
| If you are just starting to teach your dyslexic child, | | | | must be willing to devote a lot of time to your child. |
| you must remember one thing. Your child is not | | | | First you get a listing of the basic phonemes of the |
| retarded. His brain is just wired a little differently. | | | | English language (in Noah Webster's Reading/Spelling |
| Many famous people like Edison, Einstein and Churchill | | | | Handbook, for example). Phonemes are basic units of |
| were all dyslexics. It is not a death sentence. People | | | | sound (ex. B,t,ph,th,s,a,i) that are capable of |
| with dyslexia can live rewarding, productive lives. | | | | conveying a distinction in meaning. |
| Being dyslexic does mean that your child will have to | | | | You will also need some cards or tiles with letters on |
| work harder than his peers to learn basic language | | | | them. Using the handbook as your guide, teach your |
| skills. You may have noticed problems with his speech | | | | child the long and short vowels, consonants, blends, |
| at a young age. This is typical. | | | | diphthongs and digraphs. |
| Also many dyslexics often have trouble | | | | Start with the short vowel words. Play games with |
| concentrating, especially when they have no interest | | | | the letters. For example, make the word "tap". Have |
| in the subject. They tend to learn better with | | | | your child read and spell the word. Then tell him to |
| hands-on (kinesthetic) methods. Games that teach | | | | reverse the letters and ask him what word he has |
| language skills are quite helpful. | | | | made. "Pat". Have him make different words by |
| Within academic circles there is much discussion about | | | | changing a vowel or consonant. |
| what is the best way to teach a dyslexic. Some say | | | | Once he has mastered the short vowel words move |
| to use phonics while others promote the whole | | | | on to the long vowel words. This kind of exercise will |
| language method. I'm going to tell you to do both. Hit | | | | help your child understand the patterns in the English |
| it from all angles. Find out what works best with your | | | | language. |
| child. Every child is different. | | | | Not all dyslexic children are the same. Some are |
| There are many programs that may be beneficial. | | | | effected by this problem only mildly, some |
| These include Sequential Spelling, Spell to Read and | | | | moderately and some severely. The severity of your |
| Write, or All About Spelling. Sequential Spelling | | | | child's problem, his age and past educational history all |
| teaches spelling patterns and builds on those patterns. | | | | factor in when deciding how to help your child. |
| Spell to Write and Read teaches all the phonograms | | | | So don't let those bumps in the road discourage you. |
| first, then combining phonograms (letters or groups | | | | It's kind of a cliche', but two steps forward, one step |
| of letters associated with a sound) to build words. All | | | | back is still progress. With all the helps that are |
| About Spelling also begins with the phonograms and | | | | available nowadays, your task of teaching your |
| then moves on to syllables then words. All of these | | | | dyslexic child at home has become less daunting and |
| programs are reasonably priced. | | | | more rewarding. |