| While home schooling a dyslexic child has no | | | | and are all based on the Orten-Gillingham |
| shortage of challenges, your task of teaching your | | | | approach. This method is language-based, |
| dyslexic child at home can become easier and | | | | multisensory, sequential, systematic and has |
| more rewarding with the right tools. | | | | produced good results. |
| Sure, you'll still have your share of setbacks, but | | | | The Orten-Gillingham method starts by having the |
| it's so rewarding when you finally see those little | | | | student read and write the basic letter sounds. |
| breakthroughs suddenly develop into major a | | | | The student learns short vowel sounds and |
| progression in your child's comprehension. | | | | consonant sounds. Simple words are learned first. |
| First of all, just what is Dyslexia? According to | | | | Once the easy C-A-T type words are learned, |
| Answers.com, Dyslexia is a learning disability | | | | then they move on to long vowels, diphthongs |
| characterized by problems in reading, spelling, | | | | (vowels that make two gliding speech sounds |
| writing, speaking, or listening. In many cases, | | | | which are usually interpreted as one, ex. Oi,oy), |
| dyslexia appears to be inherited. | | | | digraphs ( two vowels that make one sound ) and |
| Dyslexic children seem to have trouble learning | | | | blends. Spelling is learned right along with reading. |
| early reading skills, problems hearing individual | | | | Review is continuous. |
| sounds in words, analyzing whole words in parts, | | | | After the student has mastered words, then the |
| and blending sounds into words. Letters such as | | | | same type of systematic approach is used for |
| "d" and "b" may be confused. | | | | learning vocabulary, sentence structure, reading |
| Often, a person with dyslexia has a problem | | | | comprehension, and composition. Again, review is |
| translating language into thought (such as in | | | | continuous. |
| listening or reading), or translating thought into | | | | While all of the above mentioned programs are |
| language (such as in writing or speaking). | | | | good, it may be you are looking for a less |
| If you are just starting to teach your dyslexic | | | | expensive way of helping your child. It is not that |
| child, you must remember one thing. Your child is | | | | difficult but you must be willing to devote a lot of |
| not retarded. His brain is just wired a little | | | | time to your child. |
| differently. Many famous people like Edison, | | | | First you get a listing of the basic phonemes of |
| Einstein and Churchill were all dyslexics. It is not a | | | | the English language (in Noah Webster’s |
| death sentence. People with dyslexia can live | | | | Reading/Spelling Handbook, for example). |
| rewarding, productive lives. | | | | Phonemes are basic units of sound (ex. |
| Being dyslexic does mean that your child will have | | | | B,t,ph,th,s,a,i) that are capable of conveying a |
| to work harder than his peers to learn basic | | | | distinction in meaning. |
| language skills. You may have noticed problems | | | | You will also need some cards or tiles with letters |
| with his speech at a young age. This is typical. | | | | on them. Using the handbook as your guide, teach |
| Also many dyslexics often have trouble | | | | your child the long and short vowels, consonants, |
| concentrating, especially when they have no | | | | blends, diphthongs and digraphs. |
| interest in the subject. They tend to learn better | | | | Start with the short vowel words. Play games |
| with hands-on (kinesthetic) methods. Games that | | | | with the letters. For example, make the word |
| teach language skills are quite helpful. | | | | “tap”. Have your child read and spell the |
| Within academic circles there is much discussion | | | | word. Then tell him to reverse the letters and ask |
| about what is the best way to teach a dyslexic. | | | | him what word he has made. “Pat”. Have |
| Some say to use phonics while others promote | | | | him make different words by changing a vowel or |
| the whole language method. I’m going to tell | | | | consonant. |
| you to do both. Hit it from all angles. Find out | | | | Once he has mastered the short vowel words |
| what works best with your child. Every child is | | | | move on to the long vowel words. This kind of |
| different. | | | | exercise will help your child understand the |
| There are many programs that may be beneficial. | | | | patterns in the English language. |
| These include Sequential Spelling, Spell to Read and | | | | Not all dyslexic children are the same. Some are |
| Write, or All About Spelling. Sequential Spelling | | | | effected by this problem only mildly, some |
| teaches spelling patterns and builds on those | | | | moderately and some severely. The severity of |
| patterns. | | | | your child’s problem, his age and past |
| Spell to Write and Read teaches all the | | | | educational history all factor in when deciding how |
| phonograms first, then combining phonograms | | | | to help your child. |
| (letters or groups of letters associated with a | | | | So don’t let those bumps in the road |
| sound) to build words. All About Spelling also | | | | discourage you. It's kind of a cliche', but two steps |
| begins with the phonograms and then moves on | | | | forward, one step back is still progress. With all |
| to syllables then words. All of these programs are | | | | the helps that are available nowadays, your task |
| reasonably priced. | | | | of teaching your dyslexic child at home has |
| Barten, Wilson and ABC Reading are also good | | | | become less daunting and more rewarding. |