Any Dyslexia Specialists Out There?

[friend2Figment]

I'm an education major, and we just spent a few weeks studying dyslexia in one of my reading methods classes. It looks like one of the best programs out here is the the Bright Solutions method by Susan Barton.

http://www.dys-add.com

I'm no expert, either, but this is probably the first plan I would turn to in my future classroom.

Good luck to you!!

I second this system!!! I have 3 daughters in this system they are all different levels of dyslexia so one started in 1st grade she was the 2nd lowest student in the class on testing, the other student had a language barrier at home. Now fast forward to 5th grade she consistantly tests at the top end of her class. When the school did the testing they told me she has a very high IQ that she is bright. They just did not know why she was not getting it.
If your son seams very bright but he is not able to connect the verbal and written sound do not stand down to the school, you are the one who knows your child the best.
My daughter often tells me that she is so glad we have invested so much $$ in her future. She knows that the $$ we have been paying out could have been a couple trips to Disney or even a new car, but allowing her to learn a system that will open doors for her future is more important.
If it helps some very well known people were dyslexic, my daughter's favorite Walt Disney!

 

[elf]

I posted earlier but I've been thinking more on this. The Dyslexia world could be very expensive. For 2 years I paid 80$ a week for a Wilson multi-sensory tutor, then I moved to an area that had a "Dyslexic school" with Orton Gilligham based. DD was emersed in it 2 hours a day for a year they worked the kids, she was a GREAT teacher. But it put me into $17,000 because I didn't have the money for the school but I thought it would be worth it.

And it was, something finally clicked with dd, as I said in another post she was the most severe case they have seen and had it in 3 forms. She went from reading 1st grade level (while in 4th) to reading Twilight in 6th grad (she was very self motivated.lol). While an honors student in english, she still struggles with math.

With you as a teacher it would be worth getting training in one of the researched based multisensory methods that you can use everyday with him.
You should really check out all the dyslexic forums..LOTs of famous people and millionares are dyslexic.

 

[ekatiel]

I posted earlier but I've been thinking more on this. The Dyslexia world could be very expensive. For 2 years I paid 80$ a week for a Wilson multi-sensory tutor, then I moved to an area that had a "Dyslexic school" with Orton Gilligham based. DD was emersed in it 2 hours a day for a year they worked the kids, she was a GREAT teacher. But it put me into $17,000 because I didn't have the money for the school but I thought it would be worth it.

And it was, something finally clicked with dd, as I said in another post she was the most severe case they have seen and had it in 3 forms. She went from reading 1st grade level (while in 4th) to reading Twilight in 6th grad (she was very self motivated.lol). While an honors student in english, she still struggles with math.

With you as a teacher it would be worth getting training in one of the researched based multisensory methods that you can use everyday with him.
You should really check out all the dyslexic forums..LOTs of famous people and millionares are dyslexic.

It is all so expensive, isn't it??!! The Neuhaus center here in Houston offers a "Basic Language Skills" class that is based on Orton-Gillingham, but it is $1500 for me to take it. The Barton System is $300 per module, but there are 10 modules!! The Wilson system is actually the cheapest at around $500. Hiring a tutor would put me back $40-$50 per session, at 3-4 times a week . I sent an email back to the school yesterday, agreeing to the conference, but the time they had suggested is when DH and I are out of town (celebrating our 10th anniversary). I asked if we could meet before then. DS's teacher is being really thorough with his testing. She had him come in early on Monday to DRA test him in a quiet environment, and she wants him to come in early on Wednesday for more testing . I'm wondering if the school has already invested in one of these programs and can "loan" one out to me!! --Katie

 

[patsal]

I use a deconstructive approach with my students. I am a reading specialist and I have a few dyslexic children from time to time that I work with rather intensively. I also am kept on my toes by a very well known, close by private school for dyslexic boys from all over the country as well as some from abroad. I spend 40 additional minutes per day using the deconstructive language model and have had success. One thing that we learned a long time ago was you don't fix dyslexia, you work around it...so Kerzweil for reading with the hope for follow along and retraining. At the very least a 504 plan should be put into place, but an IEP is preferable and makes the transition to college easier. Talk to your child's school psychologist and set up testing, from there follow up with any Dr's that are recommended and make sure you set up a plan that will help your child to succeed while adapting to the disability.

 

[hpfan100]

Hi! I'm a special education teacher who specializes in working with students that have learning disabilities. I'm thinking several of the things you are doing are great and you should keep doing them. I'm interested what the speech path has to say. Also, holding that MET/ARD/IEP team meeting is a must. Even if your child is a speech only student that can impede reading and writing skills. This should be notated and discussed on his IEP. Also, how soon is he due for re-eval for speech? If it's soon then you should request academic and cognitive testing as well. If it's not then you should request it be moved up and include academic and cognitive measures. You mentioned motor needs..has your darling been screened for occupational therapy?

Although letter reversals and challenges with phonemic awareness/reading skills are "developmentally normal" for 2nd graders (esp. boys) that doesn't mean you shouldn't be concerned. At home have your child practice orientation skills. If you do homework at a table or desk put post its or something to label the right and left sides. Before doing any writing have your child say something like when I write I start on the left and move to the right while pointing to the post its. It'll help build motor memory skills. Modify modify modify...If the venn diagrams confuse your child have the work completed on regular lined paper and cut and paste it to the venn diagram.

I could go on for days...send me a PM if you need some more direction or have more specific questions.

Good luck and don't give up!

 

[momjeeps]

I must preface this by saying I have not read this entire thread. So pardon if I repeat some other things that others have posted.

I am about as far from an expert as they get. In fact with your Master's in Education I'm certain you know more than I do.

(I started to write a book here. Then I decided I get to the point! LOL)

1. Stay involved and don't take no for an answer. If you can't get the school to test him, talk to your pediatrician about your concerns as well.

2. After going through the Dyslexia testing and diagnosis with our son I know that your son has very classic signs. The reason he is able to "make the grade" with lots of study would probably be because Dyslexic children are extremely intelligent and adapt as best they can. My DS was in the 98th percentile in his "Non-Verbal Intelligence Index".

Now that he has been diagnosed he has an IEP (that includes Reading and Spelling using the Connections program) with modifications for several elements in the classroom. So far this year he has done significantly better. His behavior (or perceived behavior) has improved as well. I'm sure parts of his behavioral issues were due to frustration. Other aspects were him not knowing what to do on an assignment and the teacher thinking that he was just a daydreamer that wouldn't stay on task.

We were able to get him placed in a class with a teacher that has a very good reputation with slow readers. We are very optimistic this year!

Hang in there and follow your mom instinct. It's probably right.

If you want more details on our situation and the testing that DS had feel free to PM.

 

[trinchick]

I'm amazed and relieved that this thread has popped up, since I have been having some concerns about my dd who is in second grade. She can read, and is an extremely motivated learner (this summer we worked hard together and she read over 100 books). But when we read together, I've noticed that she skips some words and has a hard time sounding things out. So I started googling word skipping and I came across some other dyslexia symptoms that really hit home to me:

transposes d/b when writing
confuses left/right and north/south despite 5 years of dancing lessons
says things like "repice" instead of "recipe"
wets the bed occasionally
excellent long-term memory for experiences and faces
very high comprehension for books read to her but not read on her own
poor handwriting and spelling
history of ear infections

Then two nights ago DD told me she gets dizzy reading small print. My heart leaped into my throat.

The thing is that she's a good reader - above grade level. But it has taken a lot of work to get her there. She's really smart and I suspect that she's devised many skills independently to compensate for her issues. My concern, however, is that she'll hit a wall around fourth grade when she can't compensate any longer.

Long story longer, I contacted her pediatrician yesterday as I was hesitant to have her labeled at school after only one week. However, the ped recommended that I formally request a reading assessment. She said, yes, they'll laugh at me since she's reading above grade level but to just move forward as they're required to respond once the written request is in place. She also warned me that they likely won't provide any services until she's reading two levels behind grade level but recommended I get a private reading tutor once seeing the results of the tests and to start the documentation process.

Oh, and I also asked the ped about Vision Therapy. She said that had been recommended for her own son who had reading difficulties, but she had consulted with a specialist at Boston Children's Hospital who informed her that the hospital's opinion of VT is that it is "bunk."

Not sure this will help anyone, but so relieved to get it off my chest as it has been bothering me for a week and I haven't discussed with anyone (even DH) because I don't want anyone to label dd or think she isn't smart because she really is!