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Over the past few months, I have been receiving more than a few calls from parents, grandparents, and teachers about children from the 8-10 year-old age group. Many of these concerned adults have told me about the children's reading problems with focus, about "too many words on a page", and the actual resistance to reading in general. I could not help but think, “What is happening with reading in this particular group of children from ages 8-10?"

First of all, many children are often presented with their first, “large” text book somewhere between the ages of 8 and 10 years. For many, this will be a social studies (geography) or science book with two columns of text per page. Young students are easily overwhelmed by the appearance of this first example of just “too much text” on each page. This experience is more like a “shock” to them, given the other books they previously have read with one set of long text lines on each page. Trying to focus and read becomes that much more difficult.

In addition to this, these children can also experience more “visual stress”, not just from the sheer increase in the volume of text to be read, but in the increase of the white page backgrounds behind the greater amounts of text. Developmental optometrists will mention that this visual stress can contribute significantly to vision-related reading difficulties.

What can be done to help with this situation? Most probably, textbook publishers will not be changing their text formats anytime soon. However, a few things might be helpful. Prior to reading a new section in a “larger” text book, use the SQRRR method of reading and reviewing material:

1. http://www.odessa.edu/dept/govt/dille/brian/courses/1100Orientation/SQ3R.pdf or

2. http://www.psychologicalselfhelp.org/Chapter13/chap13_90.html .

This is an excellent method to adopt as an approach to life-long reading and learning.

Also, changing the white background of a page by using a colored overlay can go a long way to diminishing or eliminating visual stress for a reader. Another option, especially if focus and visual stress are suspected, is to introduce the Reading Focus Card, a solution that 1) changes any printed page's white background to a chosen color AND 2) blocks out more surrounding text than any other reading tool available.

These are some of the simplest, most inexpensive, and non-invasive options for helping children in this age group with reading challenges of this kind.

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

The last few weeks have been most interesting since an article about the Reading Focus Cards (Patent 7,565,759) first appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch---http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/home-and-garden/home/article_1bea7419-12fb-54e0-ba1a-7c542dc87a08.html (from 9/25/11).

Since September 25, I have received many phone calls and online communications from parents, grandparents, teachers, and tutors. What struck me, however, was the very motivated and enthusiastic grandparents who called to discuss their grandchildren's reading challenges. It was most interesting, yet sad, to hear the stories of struggling children from almost every age group and how they have so much difficulty with reading the written word. In addition to the Reading Focus Card orders received, it was my pleasure to listen, answer questions, and offer information, strategies, and professional referrals to enable the grandparents and others to help their challenged readers.

To all who called or visited www.FocusandRead.com, thank you for your interest and dedication to a child's reading issues and long-term academic success. Thank you, also, for wanting to DO something to help a child experiencing reading difficulties. It is hoped that the advice imparted, the resources given, and the Reading Focus Cards ordered will go a long way to benefit many children who are reluctant and/or struggling readers! A SPECIAL thanks to our helpful grandparents!

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

Whether you suspect your child has dyslexia or some other reading challenge, it is essential to obtain an official and appropriate diagnosis. However, sometimes there can be considerable “wait time” before an initial visit with a medical professional or other appropriate diagnostician.

Depending on the circumstances in your area (i.e. the number of individuals needing evaluation or the appropriate professionals available to the population), it can take some weeks before an appointment can be scheduled for testing, evaluation, and a proper diagnosis to be determined. What, if anything, can be done in the meantime to help a child or adult struggling with reading? There are some tips and strategies to consider that could be helpful.

Overlays, which are colored or clear transparent sheets placed over a page of printed text, can be beneficial to some challenged readers. Often, the white background on a page of text can be “visually stressing” or even “offensive” to many individuals with reading issues. Try a different colored sheet each week to learn if a specific color helps more than others in promoting focus, concentration, better comprehension, and retention.

Focusing tools can also help. These types of tools should block out surrounding text and promote the line(s) of text to be read at a particular time. They are usually inexpensive and non-invasive, which are added benefits to their use.

One such tool called the Reading Focus Card (U.S. Patent 7,565,759) actually blocks out more surrounding text than any other tool available at this writing. It is inexpensive, non-invasive, and created by an experienced teacher for her students. In addition, this solution for struggling readers is customizable for each individual and includes 3 different colored filters (like mini-overlays) from which to choose for changing the color of the white background of any page. The Reading Focus Card Combo Pack comes with all components for 2 tools (each a different length for different text line lengths. Visit www.FocusandRead.com to learn more or to order.

Other tips and strategies for readers who struggle should also be considered. The following are just a few that could make a difference:

1. Underline or highlight important key words in a set of directions BEFORE beginning an activity, worksheet, or other assignment.

2. Fold a worksheet so that only a small amount of text, information, or problems is visible at one time.

3. Allow for standing while reading or even moving to optional work areas with less distraction.

4. Try “colored paper” for all printed materials including worksheets, outlines, notes, etc. Experiment with pastels as well as bright shades. One particular color may produce the best results for an individual.

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

Part 3---Two Options to Consider

Regardless of the age of an individual with dyslexia or other reading challenges, it is important to consider obtaining an official diagnosis.

In the case of children and teens, some school districts use a relatively new process called Response to Intervention (RTI) to identify children with learning disabilities. For students who do not go through this RTI process, an evaluation to formally diagnose dyslexia is needed. Such an evaluation traditionally has included intellectual and academic achievement testing, as well as an assessment of the critical underlying language skills that are closely linked to dyslexia. For children, this may be accomplished through one’s school district; however, the wait time could be significant depending on available services in each district.

Another option is to seek such an evaluation through private testing. A developmental optometrist is an excellent medical professional to conduct such an evaluation. The “upside” with this option is that wait time can be significantly less. In addition, such an evaluation is available for either children or adults. However, this option can be quite expensive and often is not covered under traditional healthcare insurance plans.

Resources for Dyslexia

http://www.dyslexiasw.com/advice/help-andamp-advice-for-teachers/teaching-strategies-for-dyslexic-children Teaching Strategies to help Children

http://dyslexia.yale.edu/Stu_whatisdyslexia.html?gclid=CP2_q5e58qoCFUQCQAodgBiDOQ A supportive resource for parents, educators and others who want to know more about dyslexia.

http://www.smartkidswithld.org/ld-basics/signs-symptoms/dyslexia-article Signs and symptoms of dyslexia

http://www.BrennanInnovators.com/ Website for learning challenges offers a feature to change the background color of every page on the site. This changing of color can help with visual stress and some dyslexic symptoms.

http://www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages

http://www.fabresearch.org/473 Information on a possible link between Omega 3 fatty acids and dyslexia, AD/HD, dyspraxia, autism, and other challenges. Also, info on Dr. Alex Richardson (University of Oxford) and additional links to related articles. (professional articles here)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-146303/Could-test-spell-end-dyslexia.html#ixzz1W9EasK4z Could a simple breath test identify children with dyslexia, attention deficit disorder and behavioral problems before they start school? (mainstream media article)

Next week's article (Part 4) will be entitled What to Do While Waiting for an Official Diagnosis?

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

Graphic courtesy of: http://www.school-clip-art.com/book_clipart.shtml

Part 2---Could Nutrition Be a Factor?

The exact causes of dyslexia are still not completely clear. However, brain imagery studies have shown differences in the way the brain of a dyslexic person develops and functions. In addition, most individuals with dyslexia often have problems identifying the separate speech sounds within a word and/or learning how letters represent those sounds, a key factor in their reading difficulties.

Important: Dyslexia is neither due to a lack of intelligence nor to the lack of a desire to learn. With appropriate teaching methods and strategies, individuals challenged with dyslexia can learn successfully.

For some years, Dr. Alex Richardson of the University of Oxford has been doing research in how nutrition can affect behavior, learning, and mood. Her current research focuses on the role of Omega 3 fatty acids in relation to disorders such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, AD/HD, autism, depression and schizophrenia. Recent and ongoing work includes investigation into the effects of dietary supplementation with fatty acids in relation to features of these conditions. For more information about Dr. Richardson’s and her studies, please visit http://www.fabresearch.org/473.

For information about dyslexia, including dyslexia symptoms, please visit http://www.interdys.org/ewebeditpro5/upload/BasicsFactSheet.pdf and http://www.interdys.org/ewebeditpro5/upload/Definition.pdf

Next week's article (Part 3) will be entitled What to Do If You Suspect Dyslexia?

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

Part 1---What Is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a language-based learning challenge. The condition actually refers to a group of symptoms that result in people having difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading. Students with dyslexia usually struggle with other language skills such as spelling, writing, and pronouncing words.

Dyslexia affects individuals throughout their lives; however, its impact can change at different stages in a person's life. Dyslexia can make it very difficult for a student to succeed academically in the typical instructional environment. In its more severe forms, this will often qualify a student for special education, special accommodations, or extra support services. At the same time, with good information, support, and helpful resources, dyslexia can be much less of a challenge and can even be viewed as a "gift" by some individuals.

We have provided here a short list of resources here to help you learn more about the symptoms of dyslexia. We hope you will find them helpful! (More resources next week!)

Resources for Dyslexia

http://www.smartkidswithld.org/ld-basics/signs-symptoms/dyslexia-article Signs and symptoms of dyslexia

http://www.BrennanInnovators.com/ Website for learning challenges offers a feature to change the background color of every page on the site. This changing of color can help with visual stress and some dyslexic symptoms.

http://www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages

Next week's article (Part 2) will be entitled What Causes Dyslexia?

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

Does your child struggle with new vocabulary words? Can it be a real challenge for your student(s) to break down words into syllables for correct pronunciation? Well, now there is an inexpensive and sensory-appealing tool that can help your child or student(s) with these issues.

The Reading Focus Card (Patent 7,565,759) can help an individual correctly pronounce and learn any new word, regardless of a reader’s age or ability level. The tool is easy to use, too!

First, just assemble the Reading Focus Card according to package directions and diagrams. Next, place the assembled device’s reading window or notch over the word to be learned. Move the tool from left to right, revealing only as much of the new word as is possible to pronounce (1 syllable at a time). The Reading Focus Card will block out other surrounding text or letters, which will promote more focus and concentration on each part of a new word. This tool and method make learning new words a SNAP! Great tool for the Back-to-School season!

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