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Back to Main Web Page Accommodation School Check List for parents Girard's 12 Top list of things to do for LD and dyslexia Table to help learn words Other useful tips for helping with dyslexia and LD	Special notes for teachers and parents about dyslexia and LD Things NOT to say or do Something to ponder when teaching someone with dyslexia or LD Job Accommodations for someone with dyslexia or LD Help with IEP How to Naturally Calm a Hyper child

Hello. My name is * Girard Sagmiller . As a person with dyslexia I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share with you some guidelines to you and/or help others with learning differences. The following are suggestions based upon the techniques I found to be most helpful as a child and as an adult.

• When programming computers to read they use phonics instead of memorization. In my experience many kids learn through the process of memorization and not phonics.
• Many people with learning disabilities (LD) are aware of everything happening around them and are naturally curious so they are easily distracted. Use a wall chart or check off list either a hard copy or using computer software to help you or your child stay focused.
• Say "I love you" to a child with dyslexia - EVERY DAY. Often people with LD are singled out daily. This is especially true in a school setting. Many kids are targeted by peers and are laughed at for making mistakes or being "stupid". Those three words of comfort should come from those who love the child unconditionally.
• To help with left - right disorientation here's a simple trick: When you hold your hands up in front of you, as you view your thumb and index finger on your LEFT hand, you see the letter "L".
• Use a squishy ball in your hand as you write. Hold it in the opposite hand with which you write. Holding an object in your opposite hand helps one to focus on task at hand so they do not move around in their seat as much and also keeps the other side of the brain occupied.
• Words and symbols are often visually confusing to people with dyslexia. Making "fun" with those words helps. Some examples: their and there; where and were; math signs < >. Their has an ‘I’ in it, and I am part of their party. Where has an ‘h’ in it as in my ‘house’ is here, and < or > is an open mouth. The < eats the biggest number 1 < 2

LD- Leering Demonically
ED- Exceptionally Distracted
SE- Specific Education
BD- Behavior Disorders or Bountifully Distracters

However, I think it is best to keep labels to a minimum and try not to use them at all except for diagnostic purposes. Otherwise, stick labels to cans of vegetables and soup)!

Many people with dyslexia are non-verbal thinkers. Using objects such as clay, LEGGOS, or sand to "build" new words allows the individual to utilize his/her creative outlet and accomplish an otherwise frustrating task. They will develop mental pictures, concepts or ideas using the "hands - on" materials.

Include their opinions in family discussions and take their suggestions to heart. Obviously, knowing that they have contributed to the well being of their family improves self-esteem and helps the family too!

If closed captioned television is available, take advantage of extra learning time outside of the classroom. Have the child read the words across the screen. Honor the child's right to read silently if he/she chooses. Remember, the child has probably been ostracized for slow reading in the classroom. This can be a most traumatic experience so we do not want to make the child feel that way in his/her home. Even if the child reads correctly only one or two words, he/she has done so in a loving environment.

Many persons with learning disabilities tend to be graphical and 3 dimensional in their thinking versus learning by text, or 2 dimensional. They must see a picture in their mind in order to learn. For example, if a child needs to learn the song "Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandmothers House We Go", it may work best to have the child draw a picture of hills and woods and a house.

If your child has left - right disorientation or a lack of sense of physical direction have him help the family map out your vacations and tack the drive on a map.

One of the best tips for me as an adult is utilizing the computer. As a tool the computer reads back what you write.

Some have found that taking motion sickness tablets ( dimenhydrinate) in the morning help them with test - taking However, I repeat, this only helps some types of dyslexia.

As stated earlier, many children with LD are easily distracted or may have trouble following instructions. It may be helpful to everyone if you ask the child to repeat instructions or directions back to you before he/she begins the task or goes to a particular place.

Many times the person with dyslexia sees different letters as the same one. For example, the letters b,d,p, and q look as though they are all the same letter. It is as though you took a picture of a car and turned the car upside down. The car is still the same car. To help a person distinguish between letters use pictures with the actual letter. For instance, write the letter ‘q’ and draw a queen's crown across the top. The child will associate the queen's crown with the letter ‘q’. Other graphical suggestions ’b’

Draw a butterfly using the stem of a ‘b’ for its wings; ‘p’ draw a pan and ‘d’ draw a dog.

Use textbooks and other books on tape. Many books are available on audio cassette. To find out more, call 800-424-8567

In school find a study buddy. Help each other by studying together and exchanging classroom notes with one another.

Color code notebooks to match textbooks and folders.
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SPECIAL NOTES FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS:

*Teachers - please give the notes from your lectures to children with dyslexia or LD before class. Let them highlight the notes beforehand so that they can work harder on listening to what you have to say instead of concentrating so hard on note taking.

* Please allow the child to perform oral reports verses written.
* Put three lines of spaces between test questions
* Compliment the child for trying something difficult no matter what the grade.
* Emphasize to the child that their worth as a person is not related to their test scores or how well they did on a particular assignment.
* As a child with dyslexia the thing that frightened me most upon entering the classroom every day was knowing I may be called upon to read aloud in front of the entire class - Please do not ask children with dyslexia to read aloud in class without letting them know two or three days before they will be called upon. This allows the child to practice at home or after school.
* Please tell the child that before you call on them in class you will stand in front of their desk. This way the child can listen without fear of being called upon without warning.
* Teachers/parents here is something to think about. Have you noticed that many times a child with dyslexia or LD will be the first to tattle on other kids? As a parent or a teacher you might think "If only he/she was as concerned about their work as they are the others in the classroom he/she might do well." Speaking as a person with LD I believe that the child tries to point out to the teacher and the rest of the class that "someone else has made the mistake this time and it wasn't me." Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if you as the teacher or parent would point out to all children when you make a mistake while reading.
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"This is easy."
Put unhappy faces on their paper
"Get your act together and learn to do it right"
"You're just not applying yourself".
"Try harder".
Humiliate in front of the entire class
Say in front of the entire class that "everyone is dismissed except for ____".
"If you never learn to read or write you will never make it".
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My mom always told me I was a happy baby. As I grew, she ended the same sentence with "What happened". To answer her question, I say "School happened." Daily agonizing. flunking tests, being laughed at by my peers, humiliated by my teachers in front of the entire class, attending special classes - all of these events were a part of my daily routine. When arriving home from school each day I would spend time alone in my room healing. It is important to give children with LD their own space and or workshop where they can play, foster creativity and be messy. Many people with learning disabilities are naturally messy. I hear parents complain that "They can't get their child's teacher to understand." In the same breath that parent will say "No matter how many times I tell my child he/she can not keep his/her room clean." More than likely the messiness is all a part of the learning disability. Just remember that these children and adults need a safe place to be themselves and unwind. School is anything but easy for them.

USING COMPUTERS
 
 

• I find the thesaurus feature with the PC most helpful when using large words. I type in the smaller form of the word.
• When you are using a computer that does not have the feature that can read the typing back use the thesaurus once again to see if you are using the correct words.
• I highly recommend the read - back feature on any computer for people with dyslexia. The computer can obviously "read" back items that the person with LD has written. This way the person can hear the words he has written and hear mistakes he has made.
• As a child or adult practice writing skills by utilizing e-mail features. Send email to friends weekly.
• Ask a teacher if it is possible to do homework on computer.
• For many people with dyslexia it may be easier to brainstorm on a computer first when writing a paper. Just write freely without concern for grammar or punctuation or sentence structure. That can all be fixed later using the computer cut and paste method.

Regardless if you are a person with LD or the parent of a child with LD NEVER be ashamed of getting psychological counseling.

It is extremely likely that in a family unit there may be more than one sibling or parent who also have dyslexia and other learning differences that may have gone undiagnosed. However, when a child in a single family unit is the only one with a learning disability it can be even more devestating to the child with LD. I try to convey a message to the entire family - from parents to siblings that make excellent grades that they are all intelligent. It becomes a matter of learning differently - and remember that learning differently is not learning wrong. Standardized testing in school systems across the country generally test from a logical standpoint with questions that have a one correct answer and if that one correct answer is not chosen it is WRONG! Again, many people with LD think creatively and 3 dimensionally. Unfortunately, creative intelligence is not a part of the standardized test, therefore those same children have low test scores.
 
 

Dyslexia is not a disease. The word sounds frightening but it really is not. The word dyslexia comes from the Greek language, meaning poor language. People with dyslexia have may have trouble with language even though they have the ability and have opportunities to learn. As mentioned above, people with dyslexia and other learning disabilities CAN learn. They just learn things differently. I actually prefer to call learning disabilities - learning differences. Again, people with LD learn more from a creative perspective - not a logical one. For example, forming pictures in their mind and not text or using poetry or rhyming to memorize. As many as one in ten people have dyslexia.

Remember, your worst day as a teacher or parent with a child with learning disabilities is still better than the average day a child with LD will have in school.

If you are a person with learning disabilities remember to find someone to talk with. Even if you do not talk with anyone, you have the opportunity to write down your feelings and even throw them away before anyone can read your thoughts. This allows your feelings to be expressed and validated.

When studying for a test have a soft, pleasant aroma surround you. While taking the test, imagine that same scent. It may help you recall what you have studied.

A point for everyone: Please remember to be silent immediately after asking a question to a person with LD. A person with dyslexia will use some extra time to concentrate on changing the words into pictures, then arriving at the answer, changing back to words and then to speaking. It is comparable to a foreign language.

Play PIG, HORSE, ect. basketball. Use words the child has trouble learning. Each time a person makes a basket they earn a letter until the word is spelled. Play other word games like Scrabble or Hangman.

If a child is having problems spelling a word, have them spell it aloud as they read it and draw a picture of the word. Repeat this exercise one hour later, two hours later, ect…and continue the next day with the same word for the entire week. They must repeat the word to form a new word/shape in their mind.

Most school systems do not test for dyslexia or other learning disabilities. They just put all "slow learners" in one classroom or learning center. Do not assume that school systems always know best. My mom was told that I was mentally retarded by a particular school system. I now have earned a masters degree from an accredited college. Many teachers are not trained extensively in teaching children with LD.

Get your child's hearing checked. It may be a hearing disability between similar letters like "f" and "s" or "b" and "d".

Make up riddles and songs to describe objects, words, and spelling of words-Again this allows the person to remember the item better by forming a picture in their mind.

Cover the reading pages with a red or blue transparent sheet. This may cut light down to one color. Sometimes when reading from white paper people with dyslexia see many different colors from the light that is being exposed. This adds to the confusion of reading when different shades hit their eyes. You may also try wearing sunglasses inside.

Dyslexia is not a disease to have and be cured of, but a way of thinking and learning. Often, it is a gifted mind waiting to be found and taught.

As a child I had very low self-esteem. Most of the time I had feelings of worthlessness and felt as though nobody cared about me. It wasn't until I turned my faith to Jesus Christ that my self- esteem improved dramatically. I learned that no matter what people said about me, no matter what kind of names they called me, no matter how I was treated by others, HE still loved me…unconditionally…and none could take that away.

Here in brief, are the essentials of this approach:

1. No two students are exactly alike. Its teaching is planned to meet the similarities of the students while giving individualized attention.
2. It draws on the knowledge and skills of experts from the many fields of education, medicine, psychology, social work, and language theory. It is multidisciplinary.
3. It uses the learning pathways we all share of seeing, hearing, feeling, and awareness of motion, brought together by the thinking brain. It is multisensory.
4. It takes advantage of the letter sound plan on which our language is based. "Words which carry meaning are made of sounds; sounds are written with letters in the right order" It makes sense to learn this alphabetic phonic system.
5. The sounds of the letters can be blended into words for reading, and the words can be divided into the sounds they made of for spelling and writing. We call the process synthetic analytic.
6. Words and sentences are the carriers of meaning. Based in proficiency, fluency with language pattern serves linguistic power as full literacy is achieved.
7. Material is organized and taught in a way that is logical and fits the nature of our language. This procedure is systematic.
8. The learner move, step by step, in order from simple to well learned material to that which is more and more complex as he or she masters the necessary body of language skills. The teaching is sequential.
9. Each step of the way is based on those already learned. The process is a cumulative sum or cycle of growth.
10. The student is helped to understand the reasons for what he is learning…
11. The purpose of it all, from recognizing a letter to writing a poem is getting meaning from one person's mind to another’s - Communication is paramount.
12. The persons feeling about himself/herself and learning are vital to education…

According to Dale S. Brown of the president's committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (Washington D.C.) As a person with dyslexia you are entitled to reasonable accommodations from your employer if they are covered by the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Remember, it is also your responsibility to research on your own before asking for help. The following are some suggested solutions for problems one may encounter in dealing with dyslexia in the workplace:

Problem: You have severe difficulty reading. As a matter of fact, someone is reading this article to you.

Solutions: Have someone else read it to you; get written memos placed on your voice mail; Have your boss tell you what needs to be done instead of having instructions written; phone people instead of writing them; Have someone highlight important information…

Problem: Your reading problem is not severe but it is still difficult for you to read large amounts of material.

Solutions: Discuss the material with co-workers; get information through drawings or diagrams and flow charts; If possible, request voice output on your computer.

Problem: You have visual perceptual problems, causing you to have difficulty locating objects so you lose things frequently.

Solutions: Keep your work area well organized; color - code items such as files and notebooks; put important objects in the same place each time.

Problem: You have auditory - perceptual problems, causing you difficulty in following verbal instructions.

Solutions: Ask people to write down important information; Ask people to give you instructions slowly and clearly - in a quiet location; Repeat instructions back to others to verify that what you understand is correct; Tape record important procedures so that you can listen to them over again as many times as necessary.

Problem: You have left/right disorientation. You have been known to get lost in your own office building and driving a car is a major obstacle because you have difficulty following directions due to spatial disorientation.

Solutions: Use maps; Find a mentor who will navigate and teach you how to get to and from different places; Find ways to display visual cues so that you can differentiate between left and right. For instance, putting up pictures in a certain hallway.

Problem: You are a person with dyslexia who would like to learn more about other individuals coping strategies and hear stories so you know that you are not alone.

Solution: BIG ONE - Buy my book DYSLEXIA MY LIFE. You didn't think I was going to throw in a sales pitch did you? Okay, if you aren't able to purchase it immediately, check it out on the Barns and Noble web site. It is well worth looking into. Still not convinced? Check out more of my readers on my web site as did the following reader…

"I recently visited your web site. Our nine year old daughter is dyslexic. I found your tips to be very helpful. Another you may like to add is this.. Tricia, our daughter uses her watch (which has hands) to remember which way to write her numbers. Numbers three, seven, and five seem to be the hardest. All she has to do is look at her watch and copy them down. It doesn't always work, but it's another little trick to use."
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MONDAY, Aug. 20 (HealthScoutNews) -- Scientists can help dyslexic children read better with an ironic new method that doesn't involve the printed word.

Finnish researchers say audiovisual drills that employ shapes and sounds can improve scores in children with the reading disorder. They say the therapy boosts activity in areas of the brain integral to the processing of sound, a fundament of language.

A report on the findings appears in the Aug. 21 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (news - web sites).

A research team led by Teija Kujala, a neuroscientist at the University of Helsinki, started with a group of 48 children, all aged 7, with reading impairments.

The children first were tested to measure their reading accuracy, speed, spelling and how often they missed sounds within words. Not surprisingly, the dyslexic children scored worse across the board than a group of six other children without the condition.

Half the dyslexic children then were given seven weeks of audiovisual training, including 14 short sessions in which they matched shapes with sounds on a computer screen.

After the training the children were given brain scans that showed more activity in their auditory cortex, a region responsible for processing sound, than those who didn't undergo the drilling. They also scored significantly better in a second round of reading tests, getting more words correct and reading slightly faster than the untrained group.

Whether the benefits of the training will last after it stops isn't certain, since the study didn't look at this question, Kujala says. "However, it could be expected that the effect of training is something that does not vanish because this is a clear transfer phenomenon from training to another function" -- that is, reading, she says.

Scientists are split as to whether dyslexia is primarily an auditory or a visual problem, Kujala says. "This method presumably works best on the latter type of dysfunction, but more work is needed, comparing the effects of the training program on different types of dyslexia, before we can tell more about this."

If effective, the technique would not be hard to implement on a broad scale, she says. "Since it is simple and computer-based, children learn it easily, and it can be applied already in the first grade."

J. Thomas Viall, executive director of the International Dyslexia Association in Baltimore, says the Finnish report is promising, but he cautions that dyslexia appears to be a condition without a cure. "There isn't going to be cure. There may be a way to help you learn to learn better," but nothing has yet suggested that it can be reversed, Viall says.

What To Do
The International Dyslexia Association estimates that 3 percent to 5 percent of Americans have the disorder, which appears to be inherited.

Some evidence suggests that the signs of dyslexia can be identified in children who have trouble with certain sounds, particularly rhyming, says Viall. He encourages parents to pay attention to their young children's rhyming and phonetic abilities.

Health - Reuters - updated 6:11 PM ET Sep 14

2. Begin With the End in Mind
"(This habit)...is based on imagination-- the ability to envision, to see the potential, to create with our minds what we cannot at  resent see with our eyes..." Before developing an IEP, learn about the student. Be able to envision the future, the possibilities. What are his or her dreams? Nightmares? What are the learner's strengths and needs? Where does he or she want to live after school? What kind of job would be fulfilling? It has been too easy in the past to look at the small picture instead of determining what the end of
the journey will look like. Once that picture is clear, it makes sense todecide what must be taught in order to get there.

3. Put First Things First
"Create a clear, mutual understanding of what needs to be accomplished, focusing on what, not how; results not methods. Spend time. Be patient. Visualize the desired result." Prioritize! It is impossible for anyone, in one year's time, to work on everything they would like to learn. Having nine, ten, or more goals and dozens of objectives on an IEP is akin to being set up for failure. What is urgent or most important in the coming year that needs to be addressed on the IEP?

4. Think Win-Win
"Win-Win is a frame of mind that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions. Win-Win means that agreements or solutions are mutually beneficial and satisfying." Consensus building is a key element of effective, collaborative IEP meetings. Reaching consensus indicates that power and control has been shared. Demanding parents or dictating educators do not contribute to
win-win solutions. IEP goals and objectives which are too general and not designed for progress lead to a lose-lose situation. How many times have you worked with a student who has the same goals and objectives year  after year? Both the student and the teacher are frustrated. Something is wrong with the goal when there is no progress. Be specific in stating the desired results of the objectives, the guidelines for achievement, how accountability will be determined, and when to decide if the goal  and/or objective is not appropriate.

5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
"'Seek First to Understand' involves a very deep shift in paradigm. We typically seek first to be understood. Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply. They're either speaking or preparing to speak. They're filtering everything through their own paradigms, reading their autobiography into other people's lives." In a truly collaborative IEP process educators will listen to and understand parents; parents will listen to and understand educators. All team members will realize the importance of listening to and understanding the student. The desired outcome is not for everyone to always agree but to understand each team members view point. The power of this type of listening is that it gives the team accurate data with which to work.
In order for this to happen, language at meetings must be jargon free. The final product (the IEP document) must be written in language that everyone working with the student can understand.

6. Synergize "Synergy works; it's a correct principle. It is the crowning achievement of all the previous habits. It is effectiveness in an interdependent reality-- it is teamwork, team building, the development of unity and creativity with other human beings."
Effective IEPs are those that have been developed collaboratively by a transdisciplinary team. There is 'creative cooperation' occurring at each step of the development process. All participants strive to work together, realizing it takes both parents and educators to educate students. It is unlikely that this will occur at one IEP event. The quality of the preplanning for an IEP is of equal value to the official meeting. The time devoted to the preplanning process will differ depending on each individual student.

7. Sharpening the Saw "This is the habit of renewal...It circles and embodies all the other habits. It is the habit of continuous improvement...that lifts you to new levels of understanding and living each of the habits."  Celebrations of success are one of the keys to effective IEP teams. These celebrations recognize the achievements we have made. They also energize us to keep on this collaborative journey with a student toward of life of his or her choosing.      Take time to snack!      Share stories -- funny and serious      Offer words of appreciation      Acknowledge gifts and talents of all team members      Renew commitment to the journey
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How to Naturally Calm a Hyper child

When it comes to calming
Kids, there's no doubt that an herbal remedy exists. However, sorting through all the selections and figuring out which one to try can be a daunting task. Here is a brief description of some popular calming remedies:
1. Chamomile. Most herbalists' first choice for calming children, chamomile is a fragrant member of the daisy family native to Europe and western Asia. German chamomile is considered the highest quality. Used for centuries to cure gastrointestinal problems, chamomile's active substances also have mild anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and muscle-relaxing actions, which makes the herb perfect for children, since it can soothe without over-sedating. Often taken in tea between meals, chamomile can also be ingested in tablet or capsule form (2-3 grams) or by tincture (4-6 mL), also between meals.
2. Lemon Balm. Derived from the lemon-scented leaves of a perennial mint plant of southern
Europe, lemon balm has been used since the Middle Ages for a multitude of symptoms including
anxiety and restlessness. The herb is now grown around the world, and remedies are derived from either the leaves or the whole plant. It is believed that components of the citronella) are responsible for a sedative action. Lemon balm may be taken in capsule form, liquid extract or as a tea, and is often packaged as part of an herbal blend. It is great for children because of its good taste and because it is considered one of the safest relaxants, though it should be avoided by those with underactive thyroids.
3. Lavender. Primarily used as an aromatic, lavender can be a great, mellow relaxant for children. A drop or two of lavender essential oil on a tissue, on a pillow or even in the humidifier can be an ideal, risk-free method of soothing a child. Dried leaves can also be used to make a
potpourri.
4. Catnip. Native to both North America and Europe, catnip, which has been known to drive felines into an over-stimulated state, has been used throughout history as a human sedative. Usually ingested in tea, catnip is a fairly mild herb that, when taken in reasonable doses,
shows no side effects. The herb is relatively safe to give children.
5. Skull Cap. Largely ignored by researchers since tests in the '50s yielded no results, this herb, which is available dried, in liquid extracts, in capsules and in teas, comes from a North American plant in the mint family. It is relatively mild and is safe to use as a relaxant for children, though many herbalists prefer other remedies that are more effective.
6. Passionflower. Passionflower comes from a climbing vine that now grows around the world. Used by the tribes of South America, passionflower has a long history as an herbal sedative. More accepted in Europe than it is in the United States (many Europeans favor passionflower over even valerian), the herb is most often found as a tea, but is also available in liquid extract and in capsules. Although in reasonable doses passionflower is safe for children, it should not be given to anyone under 2 years old, and its bitter taste often requires it to be blended with sweeter herbs such as lemon balm.
7. Hops. Hops is a sleep-promoting herb that works directly on the nervous system. The herb also has a very aromatic quality, and some herbalists even recommend those who suffer
regular insomnia make pillows from it. Also ingested in teas, tinctures or pills, hops will take about a half hour to work.
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" Is anybody happier because you passed his way? does anyone remember that you spoke to him today? this day is almost over, and it's toiling time is through; Is there anyone to utter now, a friendly word for you? Can you say tonight in passing With the day that slipped so fast, That you helped a single person, Of the many that you passed?

Is a single heart rejoicing, over what you did or said? Does one whose hope were fading, now with courage look ahead? Think not on yesterday, not trouble borrow On what may be in store for you tomorrow; But let today be your incessant care- The  past is past, tomorrow's in the air. Who gives today the best that in him lies Will find the road that leads to clear skies." - John Kendrick Bangs.