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friend needs advice with dyslexic issues, please
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A homeschool friend of mine was in tears this morning over her sweet daughter who is ten years old. To make a very long story short, the daughter has dyslexia and my friend would like to know of any programs or advice that could help. She has tried and researched many things, but just can’t seem to really help her dd. The schools around here recommend psychologists, but she does not want to go down that expensive road if possible. As she said, “i don’t need a diagnosis, I already know what she has. I just need to know how to help her.” Any moms who have dealt with full blown dyslexia, what helpful advice could I tell her?
Thanks so much!
Hi simplehome. Your post got to me because like your friend I have been in tears many times over the last few years. My son has dyslexia and for years I thought the problem was ME so i kept changing curriculums. Finaly, a teacher friend of mine looked at his work and said I should have him tested for a learning disability. I did and he has dyslexia. The tester recommended I use the Barton curriculum with him. This is a reading/spelling program specifically for children with learning difficulties(dyslexia is one of many). This program founder,Susan Barton, claims it has helped many and she would often answer my questions personally when I called for help which I appreciated so much,but it didnt work for my son. Then I tried Dianne Craft programs(Brain Training). You can see her products at dianecraft.org or com,not sure). She has TONS of helpful info and cds you can purchase that deals with how to teach those who learn differently. I still wasnt seeing the results I was hoping to see with MY son. Thankfully,around this time I saw an add for a school opening in my area that is ONLY for children with learning difficulties. It has a ratio of 4 students per teacher. It is for 3 hours a day where they do an hour of reading,then an hour of math,then an hour of writing.(The 3 things I was getting nowhere with him). It is rather expensive but since he is almost 14 and nothing I have done has helped,we felt we had no choice. So far he is doing well and is making progress. I say all this because I want your friend to know that there IS hope. These children are VERY smart,they just learn differently. The key is to figure out HOW they learn and then teach them that way. I would encourage your friend to look at Dianne Crafts sight(there is alot of free info on there that is very helpful,especially with determining the specific challenges your child has). I would also recommend she look at Barton or Wilson programs. Just because it didnt work for my son does not mean that they are not good programs. I would be glad to talk with your friend by email if she would like more info or just to vent her frustrations because I WILL understand. It may help me if I knew more specifics about what she is dealing with so I could better answer(or try to answer)her questions. I hope this helps somewhat!! Blessings,Wendy
Thanks Wendy, I have actually used Barton with my mildly dyslexic son as well and he progressed with it. I no longer really need it, he is reading ok although not perfect, but much improved since then. I gave my Barton material to my friend, but she is still having trouble. What kind of school does your son go to? Are there a chain of them around the country? I feel she needs some outside help at this point. It is so hard, I have been at that breaking point too and it would be great if there was some support somewhere else.
The school my son goes to was founded in Durham NC. The one in our city just opened this past year. I know they have other schools but I am not sure where.(I am also in NC). It is called the Hill School of Wilmington. I think in Durham it is the Hill Center. I also had looked into tutoring for my son before I found the school but she was planing on doing the Wilson program with him which is similar to Barton which didnt work with him so I didnt fel like our money would be well spent. But,I would encourage your friend to check into tutoring services because they did claim they could help him. I agree that sometimes you reach the point where you need an outside source to help. I hope that she finds what she needs. I am glad she has a friend like you to help her:) Let me know if I can help anymore! Wendy
Simple Home, we’ve found Charlotte Mason’s methods to work well for our second son who would be considered dyslexic/visual-spatial learner just as well as for our first who isn’t. Two other resources that your friend may have already found are dyslexia.com and gifteddevelopment.com
All my best,
Richele
My first suggestion is to read as much as she can on dyslexia and what it is. Take time this summer to just glean information without worrying about doing anything.
books I have liked are : The Gift of Dyslexia and Right Brained Children in a Left Brained World
I would then suggest that she take a deep breath and realize that this isn’t something that has a quick fix, as much as we would like there to be. Progress will be made, but having realistic expectations are very helpful.
Be patient, the child is just as frustrated by their inability to do things too.
We have used Dianne Craft, and have had success with the program. Our progress at times is a little slower then what she says we can achieve, but its still progress and that is what matters for us.
Its hard to offer suggestions as each dyslexic learns differently, and what works for us might not work for her. I also don’t know exactly where she is at learning, and what areas are of the most concern.
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