Question for Hessian

Christy

b*tch rocket
This is totally off the subject, but since I know you are a teacher, I'd like to get your input/advice. How much do you know about dyslexia?

You've probably seen me on here ranting and raving over public schools attempting to label my child as ADHD (ADD is out, they've now added the H to give more plausibility to their farce). My kid is severely dyslexic (it runs heavily in the family on his dad's side). Anyway, most of the solutions to the problem in this area is accomodating the kids "disability", by allowing them to do their work via tape recorder rather than having to write. This is totally unacceptable to me, as I really do feel my kids dyslexia is a gift. He's got that total "out of the box" creativity and thinking ability, however, he's still got to learn how to read and write. Actually, he can read fairly well, but can't read out loud to save his life. His biggest difficulty, which sounds so simple, but essentially cripples him in school, is looking at text on a page or a chalkboard and copying it to another. It's like some big disconnect.

Any suggestions?
 

Hessian

Well-Known Member
Well Christy...
Sounds like your on the right track to me!
I have had a number of students with varying degrees of Dyslexia and ADD, ADHD...and although I can make some modifications and an open to alternatives, I don't trim off the work or let them off easy on content. Some specialists will approach Dys. with all sorts of alternatives. We have a "Discovery" program at our school...NOT tutoring, rather learning techniques and creative approaches to sorting out the tangles of left & right brain stuff.
All the therapies in the world will not compensate for a good attitude though! Persistance is a HUGE advantage to any parent & student. I have seen kids with mild problems demand less and less...and excuses that flood out of them and I've also seen kids with sincere difficulties rise to the challenge and exceed. (One is now a certified PE instructor with special skills in physical therapy)...work, work, work.
Discovery theory/therapy must be on line...try a google search.(I am NOT a 100% supporter of it but I have seen some great results IF THE Child is willing to work and the parents are patient.)
What limited advice I can offer:
1) DON"T let him give up on reading (especially silently)
2)Allow him to tape classes that lean toward more lecture
3)Ask his teachers to grade on content and mark spelling errors but do NOT base the final grade on spelling.
4) Really work hard on auditory memory...some kids see a page when they are looking for an answer...others smile as they remember exactly what was said-this will be the gift your son will improve better than other.
5)Remind him that Dyslexia is something he'll have for a lifetime but it doesn't have to be a ball and chain. My Nephew was not diagnosed until 4th grade and his parents do very little to push him...they just grew frustrated then went with whatever the therapist says.NO independent reading-a shame!

Regarding the ADD...sorry, it doesn't turn too much sympathy with me. Sustained powers of attention can be trained...if expectations are there. The more we drug our kids to make them "manageable," the less they are equpped to deal with it and the less we are able to demand of them. Yea, that sounds cold but we have allowed our kids to anticipate sound bites and loud, brief bits of info--this is unacceptable if anyone wants to build a decent education.

Sorry this is a bit long...perhaps I should put some ADD approaches on another post....:bubble:

One last idea: Find the talent that God has given your son and feed it...build it-provoke further learning!
 
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Christy

b*tch rocket
Thanks Hessian! As far as ADHD and my kid goes, he simply doesn't have it. He's got the attention span of every other boy in existence. He's actually much calmer than a lot of boys I've been around.
 
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