In every classroom
across the nation, and the world, there are students who struggle with reading.
These students sit every day in class and are lost. They see other
students catching on to reading quickly, while they struggle day after day not
knowing why they can't read like their classmates. So what is the problem? Why
can't they read like the other children? They simply don't learn in the
traditional way that students who don't have reading problems do. They are
often very bright and have many gifts and talents; however, reading is a
mystery for them. It just doesn't come easy for them like it does for the other
children. Most students who struggle with reading have what is called dyslexia.
So what is dyslexia?
According to Dyslexia International,
Dyslexia
is neurologically based and often hereditary.
It causes difficulties in
reading, writing, spelling and organization.
Dyslexia
makes fluent reading difficult,
which affects not only academic success but also
self-esteem and social-emotional
development.
Is my child just being lazy?
Now, you might say,
"My child can read, but just isn't fluent. He/she just needs to try
harder, practice more." Sometimes it is true that students can read to a
point, but are not fluent readers. By fourth grade, however, these students
begin to be more and more frustrated as the amount of text they have
to read increases. Many times you will see a drop in your child's grades. It is
at this point that many parents seek outside help.
What can help my child to read better?
The problem is not that
your child is not trying hard enough, or is not practicing enough but, rather that
the way in which your child learns is not the way he is being taught. A proven
method for helping students with dyslexia is to use an Orton-Gillingham
approach. This method is researched based and has helped many, many students
learn to read over the years.
What can a parent do today?
If your child has a reading
problem the best thing you can do as a parent is to get a tutor who uses a
reading program based on the Orton-Gillingham approach. You can go to a tutor
who uses Barton Reading & Spelling, Wilson, Project Read or any other
program that is Orton-Gillingham based. The earlier the intervention with an
Orton-Gillingham approach the better. Call a tutor today. If you would like to
contact me you can call me at 973.750.4311.
