The Dyslexic Genius

Free Dyslexia Test

2012-07-18T14:56:00.003-07:00

This assessment is provided by Ron Davis' Reading Research Council in Burlingame, CA

http://www.testdyslexia.com/

Your answers are confidential. You don't need to provide any personal information. The assessment has 41 questions. You will have an opportunity to print out your results at the end of the assessment.

Dyslexia in the Class

2012-07-18T14:39:00.001-07:00

A Dyslexic Child in the Classroom

Class teachers may be particularly confused by the student whose consistent underachievement seems due to what may look like carelessness or lack of effort.

These children can be made to feel very different from their peers simply because they may be unable to follow simple instructions, which for others seem easy. It is a class teacher's responsibility to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning for all pupils within their class.

Class teachers need to have an understanding of the problems that the dyslexic child may have within the classroom situation. Hopefully, with this knowledge, a great deal of misunderstanding of a child's behavior can be prevented. In a positive and encouraging environment, a dyslexic child will experience the feeling of success and self-value.

Read further here:

(tips are provided for teachers and parents)

A Guide for teachers and parents

Spelling Techniques

2012-07-17T13:47:00.000-07:00

Most dyslexics have problems with reading and spelling, specifically with phonics, decoding words and remembering how to spell them. But for many, visual aids are extremely important in all aspects of learning. This technique uses visual cues within the words to help the child recognize the word and remember how to spell it.

DSM-V

2012-06-11T15:36:00.000-07:00

DON'T LET THE DSM-V LEAVE US OUT!

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

Although you may not be familiar with the DSM-V, this is the manual on which the diagnosis of our children's learning disabilities is based. The definition of LD in the new version of the DSM-V will have a profound effect on how learning disabilities are diagnosed, and to who services are provided.

Unless we make our voices heard to continue to include dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities ( including dysgraphia and dyscalculia), the language in the new DSM-V will omit these conditions!

Join Us in Submitting Your Comments by Friday, June 15th

Send your comments to the DSM-V Task Force by June 15th, using the suggested copy below, can have a major impact on ensuring that these critical disorders continue to be included in the new, revised edition.

Please submit your comments requesting the needed revisions by using the detailed statement, below, developed by the NCLD (National Center for Learning Disabilities).

Email the Task Force at DSM5@psych.org, by cutting and pasting the recommendations below. Feel free to add your own comments.

Here is the copy to cut and paste into your email to the Task Force:

To Whom It May Concern:

I request that specific revisions be made to these DSM-V Categories:

• Make reference to "Specific Learning Disability" in the "Specific Learning Disorders" category

• Make specific mention of subtypes of SLD in Descriptive Feature Specifiers (super-ordinate category headings):

dyslexia

dyscalculia

dysgraphia

• Expand narrative under "Learning Disability Not Otherwise Specified" to include an option to consider relevant information about cognitive processes that transcend specific problems in reading, math and written expression and that constitute significant obstacles to learning, daily living and social-emotional wellbeing.

• Expand narrative under primary heading to capture:

difficulties in academic learning cannot be attributed to intellectual disability, sensory impairment, emotional disorder or lack of educational opportunity

multiple sources of data need to be used to assess academic skills, including but not limited to norm-referenced measures of academic achievement

evaluation measures need to be culturally appropriate

features of "dyslexia" extend beyond reading decoding and word recognition, often encompassing difficulties in spelling, written expression, reading comprehension, fluency, math, and foreign language learning

"contextualized assessment" (e.g., measures of progress over time, integrity and duration of instruction/intervention) should be considered as part of the determination of a disability or disorder

the needs of individuals who are "twice exceptional" (giftedness and LD) for whom testing data alone might not meet criteria for SLD classification/diagnosis

the frequent co-occurrence of specific learning disabilities and disorders of attention

Sincerely,

(your name here)

Thank you for your support!

Dyscalculia Learning Tips

2012-05-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

Teaching Math to a Person with Dyscalculia

1. Number Track

To start with basics, a very simple number track can be produced the the home with a coat-hager and 10 laundry pegs. By placing 6 pegs on one side of the coat-hanger and 4 on the other demonstrates that 6 + 4 = 10. If the coat-hanger is turned around, it now shoes 4 + 6 = 10. It's the same answer. This can be used for number bonds up to 20...as long as the pegs can fit on the hanger (which is also very portable). A washing line works just as well, especially for larger numbers.

2. Pair Matching Game

This helps support learners with the language of math. By cutting out a list of names we use when talking about the 4 operations. Such as: more than, less than, add, divide, multiply, left over, minus, plus, subtract, share, lots of, groups of, altogether, and, plus, take away, etc. The person with dyscalculia now have to match the names to the four headings, using the symbol only: =, -, x, /.

3. Treasure trails

These also work well with younger children. It can be a fun activity, inside or outside. There are so many ways you can use this activity. Matching the number symbol (1, 2, 3) to the written number (one, two, three) inside or outside. Collecting an amount of items. Outdoors it can be: 1 green leaf, 2 twigs, 3 pebbles, 4 petals...all the way up to 10. Indoors it can be: 1 toothbrush, 2 buttons, 3 toy cars, etc.. A treasure trail uisin directional/coordinates or simple instructions like on a map is also a fun activity for older children; i.e. count 5 steps North and 3 steps West.

Accreditation: http://www.dyslexia-adults.com/56_dyslexia_math.html

What is Dyscalculia?

2012-05-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

What is dyscalculia? How to deal with this learning disability?

People living with dyscalculia disability have very strong language skills and their vocabulary is many a times better than the normal people. They are very creative and can excel in the filed of science and geometry. Their logic base is also quite strong. Their excellence simply slides off when it comes to handle formula based equations.

Full Article
http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/what-is-dyscalculia-how-to-deal-with-this-learning-disability-132658.html

Organizing The Disorganized Child

2012-02-15T15:50:00.000-08:00

I highly recommend these books for all parents & teachers alike. They all have 4-5 star ratings too. I personally own all of these books. I'm a researcher & have already researched the best books on this topic & these are it. Click on the book names to check out the book.

Smart But Scattered

The Revolutionary "Executive Skills" Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential. There's a lot you can do to help.

Executive Skills in Children Assessment & Intervention Guide

This book goes along with the 1st book "Smart but Scattered."

It is excellent for both parents & teachers.

The Organized Student

This practical book is full of hands-on strategies for helping parents identify & teach organizational skills.

Organizing the Disorganized Student

Simple Strategies to Succeed in School

Where's My Stuff?

For Teens

Gives comprehensive advice on how to organize school-work, lockers, bedrooms & even one's schedule. Written in collaboration with a professional teen organizer.

SOAR Study Skills

This is a comprehensive program that empowers students to manage their time, schoolwork & extra-curricular activities more efficiently.

Have a Wonderful Day!

10 Advocate Tips

2012-02-02T13:05:00.000-08:00

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities

10 Tips on Becoming the Advocate Your Child Needs

Dyslexic Entrepreneurs

2012-02-02T12:08:00.000-08:00

New Dyslexia Documentary Explains Entrepreneur Link

In 2007, Julie Logan, a professor of entrepreneurship at Cass Business School in London, released the results of a study of 102 entrepreneurs in the U.S. showing that 35 percent identified themselves as dyslexic. This is strikingly high when compared with a national incidence rate of 10 percent in the general population.

Among Logan’s findings: “Dyslexic entrepreneurs were more likely to own several companies and to grow their companies more quickly than those who were not dyslexic. They employed more staff and reported an increased ability to delegate. Non-dyslexic entrepreneurs stayed with their companies for longer, suggesting they were able to cope with growth and the accompanying structure that is implemented. In contrast, dyslexic entrepreneurs seem to prefer the early stages of business start-up when they are able to control their environment.”

Journey Into Dyslexia | New Documentary

Now HBO2 is airing Journey into Dyslexia, a new documentary by Oscar-winning filmmakers Alan and Susan Raymond that profiles dyslexic individuals from different fields and backgrounds.

Dyslexia Petition

2012-01-28T15:09:00.000-08:00

Please sign this Change.org petition in support of all children with dyslexia. My daughter's totally awesome, 2nd grade teacher, who has dyslexia training, started this petition. The children need our help & it will only take a few moments of your time to sign it.

Sign here:

Dyslexia training to be mandatory in Initial Teacher Training

Why This Is Important?

Initial Teacher Training course providers should be required to deliver mandatory and consistent dyslexia awareness sessions. All teachers should be trained to understand dyslexia, its impact on learning and what constitutes dyslexia friendly practice. Teachers should be aware of when to signpost learners for assessment and when to provide appropriate intervention.

Websites that help with training:

Learning & Teaching for Dyslexic Children

Sign here:

Dyslexia training to be mandatory in Initial Teacher Training

Dyslexia Simplified

2012-01-27T16:55:00.000-08:00

What is dyslexia?

With dyslexia, a person mixes up letters and/or word sequences and therefore has interference in his or her learning as the brain has a problem processing language. Dyslexia is the most common reading disability & affects 2-8% of school age children.

There are 2 kinds of dyslexia

a) "Developmental phonological dyslexia" - where one has a problem with nonword reading.

b) "Developmental surface dyslexia" - where one has difficulty in reading irregular words.

Continue reading the PDF here:

Dyslexia/Reading Disorder

This pdf simplifies dyslexia superbly so it will be a quick & easy read with tips & pointers for working with dyslexic students (good for parents to read too). It also includes a 20 question test for Adult Dyslexia near the end.

Lastly, this is an excellent PDF to print out for informing other students/parents who are new to this. It's short like a pamphlet.

Dyslexia Test

2012-01-27T10:49:00.000-08:00

Most dyslexics will exhibit about 10 of 37 common traits & behaviors. These characteristics an vary from day-to-day or minute-to-minute. The most consistent thing about dyslexics is their inconsistency.

37 Common Characteristics of Dyslexia

Dyslexic children & adults can become avid & enthusiastic readers when given learning tools that fit their creative learning style.

Headstrong

2012-01-27T09:35:00.000-08:00

The 2 most common forms of learning disabilities (LD) in America are Dyslexia & ADHD. There are more than 20 million Americans living with one or the other.

Click here to watch this 25 min. documentary:

Headstrong: Inside the Hidden World of Dyslexia and Attention Deficit Disorder

This film provides an overview of dyslexia & ADD while exploring the brave lives of diverse individuals persevering in a world not designed with them in mind.

Genius Disease

2012-01-24T14:46:00.000-08:00

The image below definitely represents my daughter's writing. It also shows that most dyslexics also have ADD behaviors. My daughter loses everything, all the time. She also cannot focus like the average child. She gets so frustrated with her dyslexia/dysgraphia that it often brings her to tears. It's so painful to watch her go through this process. All I can do is hold & reassure her of the positive sides of dyslexia.

Article:

Dyslexia - The Strange Genius Disease

Genetics 677

2012-01-24T14:37:00.000-08:00

That image below is another perfect example of what my daughter experiences with her dysgraphia. It's very frustrating for her. She has to work 10x harder than the average 10-year-old to achieve the same results as them. Some days she wishes giving up were an option.

Assignment for Genetics 677:

Dyslexia Genetics - University of Wisconsin-Madison

Image of a child's writing who is dyslexic

Brain Scans

2012-01-24T14:21:00.000-08:00

I think it's absolutely amazing at how we can now identify dyslexia. We can use this technological advance to prove that a child not only has dyslexia but also to detect it at earlier ages. I knew my daughter had dyslexia in 1st grade. Her 1st grade teacher said that my daughter did not have dyslexia. The teacher was wrong. As a result, my daughter suffered through the pain of being bullied by the other 1st graders because she could not read & write well. She would come home in fountains of tears after school. The school would not help me. I had to switch her to a private school to get her the much needed help.

Article:
Brain scans spot early signs of dyslexia