18 Tips to Support Dyslexics & Other Challenged Readers

Reading and learning do not come easily for every student. Parents and teachers often look for specific strategies and resources to assist struggling readers and learners, especially for the many with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and/or other issues that can impact reading success.

Making using of such strategies or accommodations allows for more fairness in the classroom where other, more typical readers and learners at the same grade level may be present. These are supports that can actually help "level the playing field" for many children, teens and adults who would not otherwise receive the support needed to be successful readers and learners.

In addition, such supportive accommodations should be implemented for as long as they are needed by the individuals. Here is a printable list that you might consider to help and support the challenged reader(s) or learner(s) in your family or in your classroom:

1. Request or allow course and book content to be available via audiotape, CD, or DVD.

2. Use a portable, hand-held spell checker (such as the Franklin Spelling Ace) for unknown words.

3. Use graph paper or the Reading Focus Cards for math to promote accurate placeholder work.

4. Use interactive computer reading programs that require only a limited number of tasks at a time.

5. Underline or highlight important key words in a set of directions BEFORE beginning an assignment.

6. Fold a worksheet so that only a small amount of text, information, or problems is visible at one time. Using individualized tools can help with this as well.

7. Allow for standing at a desk/table or moving to optional work areas with less distraction.

8. Allow for the experience of a variety of sensory learning techniques such as those from the use of a computer, e-tablet, mp3 player, tape recorder, projector, and/or manipulatives. The more senses you appeal to and employ in the learning process, the more success the student will experience.

9. Use word processors or computers to complete written work, especially when writing is a struggle.

10. Allow for kneeling or standing at a desk (if needed), as long as it does not cause problems or distractions for others.

11. Allow for access to a copy of prepared notes, especially after a teaching session or discussion.

12. Arrange for a second set of textbooks at home so that materials are always at hand when needed.

13. Use very low-volume music (instrumental) or environmental sounds (seashore or other nature sounds) while doing independent work.

14. Allow for student to work cooperatively at times with others as part of a "buddy" system of support.

15. Use colored paper for all printed materials including worksheets, outlines, notes, etc. Experiment with pastels as well as bright shades. One particular color may produce the best results for an individual.

16. Use colored overlays or the low-tech Reading Focus Cards for focus and reading challenges with physical book pages, worksheets and other documents. These inexpensive reading aids can diminish or eliminate the visual “stress” or discomfort some readers/learners experience with the white backgrounds of most text pages. These same tools can also be used with Kindles, Nooks, and other e-readers (Model #001-Shorter) as well as iPads and other e-tablets (Model #002-Longer), too.

17. Make use of websites such as www.math.com, www.khanacademy.org, www.mobymax.com or other free sites for help with specific math, science or other content challenges.

18. For reading online or offline digital media, use the Reading Focus Cards desktop app with Macs and Windows PCs to provide more focus and fluency, better tracking, increased comprehension and improved retention for unfocused or overwhelmed readers.

For more information about assistive technologies for challenged readers, please visit:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image source: Brennan Innovators, LLC at www.focusandread.com

Create Moments to Remember When You Read with Your Child

Special Readers' Edition for Mother's Day 2014

Do you read often with your child? Have you considered reading aloud with or to your teenager? When was the last time you and your daughter read a book together and followed the reading with a related activity? So it's been awhile, has it? What better time than now with Mother's Day approaching to get right back into the "swing" of reading with your child---AND enjoying it, too!

When my children were very small, I read aloud to them almost daily as we sat together in the rocking chair. The soothing movement of that now well-worn piece of nursery furniture and the pleasant cadence of reading our sons' favorite books made for a comforting activity for all of us in the family. Just glancing now at that chair brings back such great memories.

In those early years, one book that we read again and again was The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper. It was certainly a favorite, and it helped to teach the boys that one should be determined, never giving up in the face of difficulties. Another book they liked to read often was The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone about Grover of Sesame Street fame. However, that was a book we were careful NOT to read to them right before bedtime!

Later, even when the boys were young teens in late middle school, my husband and I read aloud to them at the end of a day when they were in bed and (hopefully but not always!) ready for sleep. For some weeks, I can recall reading them the chapters from Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. and Ernestine Gilbreth until we finished the book together. Our two eldest sons liked the book so much that they had asked if they, too, could do some of the same activities that the Gilbreth Family had done in the book. In fact, that is how our family came to establish what was known as the Weekly Family Meeting. All four of our sons still talk about this today---and the youngest is in his mid-twenties!

So, how can YOU create some great memories while reading to your child? Aside from reading the books we did as a family, we believe there are many other tips and strategies to offer you as well. To follow here, we have gathered some resources to help you with this. However, before you begin, please keep in mind that it's never too late to read with AND to your child or teen. In fact, we even know a few adults who read often to their spouses. You might try reading a favorite poetry selection to your "significant other" and enjoy the response or reaction that results. With your child or teen, consider reading aloud a classic short story with perhaps an unexpected twist at the end (Choose Your Own Adventure books or some of O.Henry's short stories might be good candidates for intermediate readers or teens, respectively). Who knows? You might just create a wonderful moment to remember and the first of a long series of good memories!

Happy reading, parents---AND children, too! Happy Mother's Day to ALL our mothers, as well!

Reading Resources for Parents

The Reading Toolkit (The ABCs of Reading)
by Zoë Kashner of Scholastic Books
Every parent’s toolkit for raising successful readers, including leveled reading, reading strategies, activities, book lists, and more (for parents of children ages 6 to 13).
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading?esp=CORPHP/ib/////NAV/Parents/Tab/BooksReadingLP////

Seven Things You Should Be Doing as You’re Reading to Your Child
by Jenae of I Can Teach My Child
Specific strategies parents can implement while reading to their children.
http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2012/02/seven-things-you-should-be-doing-as-youre-reading-to-your-child/

Where to Find the Best Help-My-Child-with-Reading Ideas and Activities
from Imagination Soup
If you find yourself needing new ideas for reading with your children, check these Pinterest boards.
http://imaginationsoup.net/2012/11/where-to-find-the-best-help-my-child-with-reading-ideas-and-activities/

Adventures in Reading
by Christie Burnett, early childhood teacher, presenter, writer & editor of Childhood 101
Simple ways to encourage a love of books and make reading a part of every day.
http://childhood101.com/2012/08/adventures-in-reading/

Producing Lifelong Readers
by Hillary of Pulling Curls
3 things that can help produce lifelong readers in every family.
http://www.pullingcurls.com/2014/01/producing-lifelong-readers.html

More Parent-Child Reading Activities
Pinterest board for additional parent/child reading activities---ALL in one place!
http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=parent-child%20reading%20activities

For more information on customizable reading tools for focus and tracking challenges, please visit:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image courtesy of:
Brennan Innovators, LLC at www.focusandread.com