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It is more than obvious that our blog and website visitors are eagerly looking for resources to help with the challenges of dyslexia. Articles on the topic are the ones most readily sought on our sites for struggling readers of all ages.

This past spring, the words of one St. Louis clinical psychologist were all too accurate: “The schools are burying their heads in the sand, when it comes to dyslexia.” She was referring to the fact that when many teachers and most schools learn of a child’s dyslexia diagnosis, they very often believe that this condition is one that does not require their providing classroom accommodations for that child.

Although what can be written in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) varies from state to state, many times, dyslexia is not even addressed. However, sometimes, if this reading challenge called dyslexia is approached or presented as a reading disability or a processing disorder, THEN the schools may be more willing to work with parents.

In the meantime, we've once again put together here a collection of additional dyslexia resources for parents AND the teachers who wish to genuinely help their struggling learners with dyslexia. If just one teacher takes a look at what is offered here, it could translate into at least one step forward for one child. Let’s hope that more teachers and their schools become both interested AND motivated to DO something about and for these children--- very soon.

Genius Within---Innovative online training for adults that will transform your dyslexia and bring out your inner genius. FREE informative videos & an online Dyslexia Profile Test are included here.
http://www.geniuswithin.co.uk/index.php/site/whatisdislexia

Dyslexia: Types of Dyslexia-Video by expert Dr. Diane Sawyer who provides basic information about dyslexia, including the 4 different types of the condition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n95g4YiKiY&feature=fvwrel

Teaching Children with Dyslexia-What Accommodations Should My Child Have at School? A GOOD list of classroom accommodations specifically for dyslexia
http://athome.readinghorizons.com/research/accommodations.aspx

‘I AM DYSLEXIC’: A Short Documentary-Video with various individuals (of different ages) who have dyslexia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCf0JOhPV64&feature=related

decoding dyslexia (short)-Several segments from a 3-D animation of a TVNZ documentary entitled “Decoding Dyslexia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKekE10b82s&feature=related

Spelling Technique for Dyslexic-Video (parent) presentation of special technique based on the phonics of “i-g-h” to help those with dyslexia to spell with success
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CpZAH6elIc&feature=related

The Tutor Crowd - Blog and article containing the 10 Top Dyslexia Blogs for 2012
http://blog.thetutorcrowd.com/?p=55

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Clip art courtesy of: http://www.clipartheaven.com/show/clipart/kids_stuff/images_%28a_-_f%29/children_with_picture_book-gif.html

We had such an overwhelming response to last week’s post on Struggling Readers + Pinterest = Solutions that we have decided this week to give similar attention and “focus” to dyslexia (please pardon the pun here!)

More Pinterest pinners are aware of the needs of those challenged with dyslexia than you might think. They know that these struggling readers often describe text as “shadowing”, “waving out”, or moving in some other way.

There are other experiences these readers report, too. Often, a developmental optometrist can be the preferred medical professional to test, evaluate, diagnose and prescribe the appropriate therapy or treatment for an individual challenged with these symptoms.

In the meantime, such a reader may very well be served by a collection of resources to bridge that time between scheduling an appointment and the first visit for evaluation. So once again, here we are with Pinterest, helping to provide a collection of “boards” containing resources and information about this vision-related reading challenge called dyslexia. Hope you find them to be helpful to someone you know with such symptoms!

Pinterest Boards with Dyslexia Resources

1. From Wendy Farrell---Board entitled “Dyslexia”
http://pinterest.com/farrellfam/dyslexia/

2. From Alison Seuter---Board entitled “Homeschooling ~ Dyslexia”
http://pinterest.com/aseuter/homeschooling-dyslexia/

3. From Tiffany Vokes--- Board entitled “dyslexia”
http://pinterest.com/tavokes/dyslexia/

4. From Karen Huppertz---Board entitled “Dyslexia Info and Tools”
http://pinterest.com/karenhupp/dyslexia-info-tools/

5. From this blog’s author---Board entitled “Dyslexia Resources and Support”
http://pinterest.com/brennajn2000/dyslexia-resources-support/

Once again, happy “pinning”--- and reading, everyone!

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

As always, we focus on addressing the current reading needs of our clients, parents, teachers and others who communicate with us on a daily basis. This week, our emails and phone calls have been about assistance with dyslexia. Parents of new, young readers and grad students have recently described to us their children’s or their own issues with convergence insufficiency, visual stress (from white page backgrounds) and/or actual diagnoses of dyslexia.

With the popularity of last week’s blog article and app list for autism (it received the most visitors of all our other blog articles combined!), we thought it would be very appropriate this week to provide a list of apps dedicated to those with dyslexia-related symptoms. Here is our current list of BEST apps for this need:

1. Textkraft English: Top Smart Text Processor for iPad---Textkraft English is the perfect iPad writing tool for you, your tweens or teens to write essays, letters or email.
http://www.funeducationalapps.com/2011/11/textkraft-english-top-smart-text-processor-for-ipad.html

2. American Wordespeller – A Phonetic Dictionary App to Help Dyslexic Kids with Spelling ---American Wordspeller© & Phonetic Dictionary app is great phonetic dictionary that can help and support kids with spelling difficulties and dyslexia.
http://www.funeducationalapps.com/2011/02/american-wordespeller-a-phonetic-dictionary-app-to-help-dyslexic-kids-with-spelling-.html

3. Collections of Top Spelling Apps for Kids (Some include promo codes for free or lower prices---Issued 2/21/12 and may be time sensitive)
http://www.funeducationalapps.com/spelling-apps/

4. Top Ten iPhone Apps: (Includes VIDEO) Ron Davis – Unlocking the Power of Dyslexia--- Ronald D. Davis explains how he discovered how to overcome his reading disability through the power of orientation.
http://topteniphoneapps.info/iphone-videos/ron-davis-unlocking-the-power-of-dyslexia/

5. Apps for Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities---This long list of tools can help level the playing field for you, a student or others to reading, spelling, writing, and organizational/study skills. Use of these tools can also lead to increased self-confidence in the classroom and workplace.
http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/tools/apps

6. Best 5 iPad Apps for Dyslexia---by Drs.Fernette and Brock Eide
http://dyslexicadvantage.com/profiles/blogs/ipad-apps-dyslexia

7. openWeb---Dyslexia-friendly web browser by Abbie Gonzalez
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/openweb/id519348697?ls=1&mt=8

(Software) Ghotit corrects the spelling of people with dyslexia and dysgraphia. http://www.ghotit.com

Special Note: The Reading Focus Cards work well to provide even more focus and concentration with iPads, Kindles, Nooks, and other related tech devices. Just remember to use a non-scratch film to protect the tech screens with this application.
Happy Reading, EVERYONE!

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com For ADHD focusing tools that work!
www.BrennanInnovators.com For ADHD info and support
314-892-3897

Background

Vision plays such a vital role in a child’s learning success. Many of the symptoms and behaviors often associated with learning disabilities are very similar to those caused by vision problems. In fact, in some cases, students with real vision problems are sometimes mistaken for having learning disabilities (AD/HD, autism, and other issues). For this reason, it is critical that a comprehensive vision examination be part of a complete evaluation of every child who is failing to succeed in school.

The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) has provided an excellent checklist with some signs and symptoms to look for that may indicate a vision problem. This checklist is accessible by visiting http://www.covd.org/Home/ParentResourceCenter/SymptomsChecklist/tabid/279/Default.aspx

How to Properly Identify a Vision Problem

Children should be referred for a comprehensive eye exam whenever visual symptoms are noticed or if they are not achieving their potential. Important: Many of these vision problems will not be detected during a school vision screening or limited vision assessment as part of a school physical or routine pediatric health evaluation.

Locate a medical professional (i.e. developmental optometrist) in your area who is experienced and knowledgeable in diagnosing and treating learning-related vision problems. An online tool for locating such a medical professional is available at https://covdwp.memberpoint.com/WebPortal/BuyersGuide/ProfessionalSearch.aspx

Resources and Support

COVD Parent Resource Center:
http://covd.org/Parents/tabid/264/Default.aspx

Information about Insurance Coverage for Vision Therapy:
http://covd.org/InsuranceCoverageforVisionTherapy/tabid/85/Default.aspx

What is Vision Therapy?
http://covd.org/AboutVisionTherapy/tabid/71/Default.aspx

Jillian's Story: How Vision Therapy Changed My Daughter's Life by Robin Benoit and Jillian Benoit--- An inspiring story of determination---This book offers "a deeply personal account along with life-changing information on the importance of vision therapy." http://www.jilliansstory.com/

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com For AD/HD focusing tools that work!
www.BrennanInnovators.com For AD/HD info and support
314-892-3897

Source of information: Credits to http://covd.org/ The official site of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development