Problem reader

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  • February 15, 2009 at 12:40 am
    Tom Thomson
    Member

    I am a volunteer reading tutor in a 1st grade classroom. One of the students has a problem that I (or the classroom teacher) have been unable to solve. He is a bright attentive child with a vivid imagination, good memory and an amazing vocabulary. In spite of those attributes he cannot read a single word. Take “cat” for instance – he will sound out the letters – kuh-kuh-kuh aa-aa-aa tuh-tuh-tuh but does not make them coalesce into a single word sound. Where do we go from here?

    Tom Thomson

    February 15, 2009 at 5:42 am
    the9clarks
    Participant

    That’s because there’s no such word as cccaaattt. No wonder he’s confused. 😉 I guess if he’s in school, taking a break from it since he’s clearly not developmentally ready isn’t an option, huh?

    February 15, 2009 at 6:54 pm
    Sonya Shafer
    Moderator

    That would be my first thought, too: back off and give him some time before trying again. Unfortunately, I don’t know if that’s an option in your situation.

    February 15, 2009 at 11:05 pm
    Shanna
    Participant

    I would back off and then make sure when you come back to have a good solid phonics program.

    February 16, 2009 at 1:17 am
    SILLYSQUIRRELS
    Participant

    my daughter has the same problem. After much struggling we discovered that she has central auditory processing disorder. Though she knows her phonics. The is not able to process their sounds into words. Also. We were very shocked to find out that she has short term memory problems. She has a very good memory, just as this child you speak of has. She can recall things that happened when she was 2 with surprising detail. Because of this we never guessed that there may have been any sort of memory problem. If she were to sound out the word CAT she could get each phonogram correct. However, when it came time to put it together she would have forgotten the first two letters she sounded out and have to start over or make up a sound. We have had success with her using more visual reading programs. Perhaps if the child was tested for CAPD. It may be that if this is the problem he would be able to get help that addresses the issue.

    February 17, 2009 at 12:22 am
    Tom Thomson
    Member

    sillysquirrels

    Sounds as tho we are dealing with similar problems. My guy will forget the word “the” in a matter of seconds. eg “The cat sat on the mat.” By the time we get to the second “the” it’s a brand new word and we have to start over. Can you tell me more abt “visual reading programs” ? A friend (who is dyslexic) suggests that the good memory I have observed is images and ideas rather than words.

    I need to tread very lightly in the area of testing. As an untrained, unpaid volunteer outside the “system” my suggestions carry slightly less weight than those of the custodian.

    I do appreciate your help.

    Tom

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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