Need Support Services for Dyslexia?

This past week before the Thanksgiving Holiday, we at Brennan Innovators received a call from our area’s Special School District. A representative from the district inquired as to area services for students with dyslexia, namely whom we recommend for dyslexia "testing", diagnosis and treatment.

We should not have been surprised to receive such an inquiry, but it continues to be a concern that this critical referral information is not readily available to every staff member in the district that is the primary provider of special needs services in our region. This further shows the growing need within our schools to appropriately address the reading struggles of ALL students, including those with vision-related challenges like dyslexia.

This one phone call was very telling and caused us to prepare our next blog article here about the much-needed information about support services for children (and adults) with dyslexia---wherever they may live.

Initial Support Services for Dyslexia

Website for the College of Optometrists in Vision Development---Basic information, research and resources to help with the understanding of vision-related reading/learning challenges
http://covd.org/

Locator Tool---Online tool to help locate the appropriate medical professional in your area for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of vision-related reading/learning challenges
From the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD)
https://covdwp.memberpoint.com/WebPortal/BuyersGuide/ProfessionalSearch.aspx

Support Groups for Dyslexia

Dyslexia Support Groups
Access to various online support groups for dyslexia
http://dyslexia.supportgroups.com/

DailyStrength Dyslexia Support Group
Online forum that supports persons challenged with dyslexia
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Dyslexia/support-group

Supportive Media for Dyslexia (Books, Apps and More)

Online Bookstore for Dyslexia---Books about dyslexia and related materials offered at a discount (Sponsored by the International Dyslexia Association)
http://www.interdys.org/OnlineBookstore.htm

FREE Dyslexia Newsletter---This bi-monthly World of Dyslexia Newsletter is received by over 40,000 people. It keeps readers up-to-date with the latest news and research in the field of dyslexia.
http://www.dyslexia-teacher.com/t23.html

The Seven Causes of Reading Difficulty for Dyslexics---Most children and teens with dyslexia experience difficulties with reading. David Morgan’s article here outlines seven causes of reading difficulty.
http://www.dyslexia-parent.com/mag64.html

Other Supportive Resources for Dyslexia

IDA Reading Literacy & Learning Conferences---Information about upcoming conferences
http://www.interdys.org/AnnualConferenceUpcoming.htm

U.S. Branch Locations of the International Dyslexia Association--by State
https://ww2.eventrebels.com/er/Chapter/OnlineChapterByState.jsp?Token=FYLJ8BKH4PXMYSGQBT6Y9USH3J

British Global Partner Offices of the International Dyslexia Association (2)
http://www.interdys.org/GlobalPartnersBritain.htm

Irish Global Partner Office of the International Dyslexia Association (1)
http://www.interdys.org/GlobalPartnersIreland.htm

Australian Global Partner Office of the International Dyslexia Association (1)
http://www.interdys.org/GlobalPartnersAustralia.htm

Link to Other Global Partner Locations of the IDA
http://www.interdys.org/GlobalPartnersList.htm

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image courtesy of: https://twitter.com/DyslexiaSupport

The Struggling Student at Conference Time

Can it be that the first grading period has arrived already? Yes, and with it come the annual or semi-annual, parent-teacher conferences. This realization usually causes one of two parental reactions ---“I can’t wait to see how Evan is doing!” or “I’m worried about what Ms. Jackson is going to tell us about our Emma.”

From a teacher’s standpoint, this first conference with parents can also be a stressful event. At conferences, educators often meet students’ parents for the very first time. These conferences usually occur right after the hard work of term test taking for students followed by the time required to prepare report cards with individual performance comments. All the while, these teachers continue to plan lessons, correct papers for the second term already begun, and reply to emails and phone calls from parents and colleagues. It can be a very overwhelming time of the year!

If the scheduled conference is for the benefit of a struggling student, the level of concern on the part of the parents may be even greater, and the teacher may need to prepare even more carefully in order to best help the student. Parents can do much to help make the first conference a very positive experience for all involved, particularly for their child:

• First and foremost, show respect for the educational professional seated before you. She likely spends more hours per week with your child than you do during the school year. She knows your child and will provide valuable information to enable the child to enjoy more learning success.

• Secondly, when constructive criticism about your child is offered, listen and remember what is said. If needed, jot down a few notes regarding the suggested areas of needed improvement.

• Normally, the teacher will make suggestions or offer resources to help with those improvements. Continue the note-taking. However, if none are offered, “gently” request her recommendations, tools and strategies or other resources you might consider to help your child develop more skill in a specific area.

• Finally, remember to be appreciative. Make it known to this teacher that you are grateful for the time and efforts she gives to help your child read and learn. Teachers are human beings in the work of service, hard work that very often is not always appreciated by those who are served. Be grateful for their dedication and commitment.

For educators, you most likely have a preferred format for conducting conferences. No matter which conference “template” you use, there are a few good ideas you might want to keep in mind:

• Try to describe student weaknesses in constructive ways---with some degree of gentleness. Of course, never compare one student with another.

• For every shortcoming or struggle a student may be experiencing, be kind enough to provide a possible strategy to help bring about improvement.

• Always remember to share at least one positive comment about each child. Every child has at least one talent, gift or characteristic that makes him or her special. Share these good comments with parents.

• Finally, offer encouragement to parents who may be struggling to guide their challenged children.

Once again, we have taken the time to gather some resources here to help both parents and teachers at this special “conference time” of year. We hope you will find them beneficial as you work together to help a child improve and experience more learning success!

Resources for Parents

FREE IEP e-book---To help parents plan for a child's IEP meeting! (from the NCLD---National Center for Learning Disabilities)
http://info.ncld.org/free-e-book-iep-meeting-planner-?utm_source=LDOnLine.org&utm_medium=Twitter

What Is a 504 Plan? (Video)---Excellent 5 min. video that clearly explains a 504 plan (from the NCLD)
http://www.ncld.org/learning-disability-resources/videos/video-what-is-a-504-plan

40 Winning Accommodations---New, FREE ADHD Printable! (from ADDitude Magazine)
Increase the odds of your ADHD child succeeding in school with ADDitude's FREE printable, 40 Winning Accommodations.
http://www.additudemag.com/RCLP/sub/9109.html

10 Top Tips for Dyslexia---Tips parents can use to help their children challenged with dyslexia to enjoy more learning success in school
http://www.teach-our-kids.co.uk/10-top-tips-for-helping-your-child-with-dyslexia/

The Top 50 Apps for Kids (2012)---In education, music, art and more
http://www.babble.com/kid/kids-products/50-best-kids-apps-family/

Resources for Teachers

Parent–Teacher Conference Tip Sheets---both English & Spanish (from Harvard Family Research Project)
http://www.hfrp.org/publications-resources/browse-our-publications/parent-teacher-conference-tip-sheets-hojas-de-consejos-para-las-reuniones-de-padres-y-maestros

Parent-Teacher Conference Resources---These resources will help maximize the benefits of parent-teacher collaborations to serve each child's educational needs. (from TeacherVision.com)
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/teacher-parent-conferences/resource/3713.html

Family Involvement Publications & Resources---Articles and other resources to help with conferences (from Harvard Family Research Project)
http://www.hfrp.org/family-involvement/publications-resources

The Best Resources on Parent/Teacher Conferences---Some of the most useful materials to help with parent-teacher conferences (from EduBlogs.org)
http://engagingparentsinschool.edublogs.org/2011/10/29/the-best-resources-on-parentteacher-conferences/

Happy learning, everyone!

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image provided by: http://edusavvyparents.com/parenting

Simple Homework Tips for ADHD

Some parents have reported improvement in the management of their children's ADHD with specifically modified diets and/or the addition of nutritional supplements. Other parents have somewhat reluctantly decided on medications recommended by their children's pediatricians to help with focus and attention in school. However, there is a strong possibility that vitamins B12 or B6 and even prescribed medications may not be able to do EVERYTHING to help your child with ADHD.

We often like to mention that it is always a good idea to begin managing attention issues with simple strategies, tips and tools to help your child achieve and maintain more focus and follow-through, especially when a he is challenged with ADHD. Special strategies can be particularly important when the topic of homework is presented. Parents often ask us, "What tips do you recommend for the 'homework wars' we face on many weeknights?" or "Do you have a good list of ideas to help my child complete all his needed assignments?"

To help answer these questions, we are listing here some good but simple strategies and tips to help your child challenged with ADHD---and you!

Helpful Homework Strategies and Organizational Tips for ADHD

1. First of all, a daily homework or assignment notebook is key. Make certain that your child has one from the first day of a new term. Some schools provide this automatically as part of the curriculum materials for their students. If this is not the practice at your child's school, it will be a very good investment to purchase one for him.

2. “Gently” request of your child’s teacher that she "sign off" in his assignment notebook at the end of each day (like a double check that all needed work is listed and materials are in the backpack). This is considered an “accommodation” for children with attention challenges and/or organizational issues. If your child is currently enrolled in a departmental program, each teacher may need to be asked for this accommodation after each class.

Many schools will provide this described accommodation if kindly requested. There are some school districts, however, that will require an IEP to be in place before this accommodation to be provided. In still other districts, online access to homework assignments is available to parents. Yet, even this technology cannot ensure that your child will have brought home the needed books and other materials for the work to be completed.

3. Prepare a dedicated place for your child to study each evening (without the presence of “entertainment” tech devices). Yes, a computer may be necessary for homework, but provide appropriate rules for its use---ahead of time. Make sure that all supplies and materials are at-hand to prevent excessive “wandering” and other distractions.

4. Use Post-It notes at eye level in the study space (or elsewhere for other chores/jobs). They can serve as very good, VISUAL reminders of tasks still needing attention and follow-through. You might even suggest a different color note for each subject or other description. It can be somewhat “satisfying” for your child to take down and tear up a sticky note for a homework assignment or job well done.

5. Allow your child to have a few breaks and some physical movement before, during and after homework sessions. A brief walk outside for just 5 minutes or so can be all that is needed to re-focus and study even more effectively upon return.

6. Have all items needed for school prepared and ready the EVENING BEFORE a school day:
a. Set the breakfast table each weeknight for the next school day. Even place the cereal boxes (unsweetened, of course) within reach there.
b. Ask your child to put all assignments and supplies inside his back-pack and then you can CHECK to see that all is packed away as needed. The back-pack should then be placed near the exit door.
c. Choose and lay out (or hang up) all school clothing within reach in your child’s room.

7. Remember to INVOLVE your child in each of the above preparations, teaching him to think ahead, helping him develop good organizational skills and enabling him to see that good habits like these can result in much more academic success for him---and PEACE at home!

8. To see a FREE printable list of MORE strategies for both home AND the classroom, please visit http://www.focusandread.com/learning-strategies.

We hope that you will try the strategies described here with your child. They could make a real difference in your child's academic success this school year.

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image Provided by Classroom Clipart

Android Apps for Special Needs

We want Help for Struggling Readers to be your go-to blog when you need reading or learning resources, strategies, apps and other help for all kinds of learners, especially those who struggle to read and learn.

That is why this week, we’ve decided to provide you with a short list of 3 collections that contain great Android apps for special needs---all kinds of special needs! You’ll find some apps that are FREE and others that are available at various price points.

Choose the apps that will meet your needs and those of your child or your students. You just might want to bookmark this page so that you can refer to it again and again as needed. Help yourself to some awesome special needs apps for your Android devices---a combined total of 78 apps in all!

Android Special Needs Apps

14 Special Needs Android Apps on Google Play-from Friendship Circle Blog
http://blog.friendshipcircle.org/2012/09/04/14-special-needs-android-apps-on-google-play/?goback=.anb_684677_*2_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1

37 Special Needs Apps for Android Devices-compiled by Melanie Vitovsky (Twinkie Babies website)---Titles, prices & links to excellent special needs apps for Android devices---Many of the apps are for children on the autism spectrum, but other special needs apps are also available here.
http://www.twinkiebabies.com/37-special-needs-apps-for-android-devices/

Android Apps for Our Kids—from the Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs blog---Here is a list of 27 Apps for Android devices, visual supports and other resources (especially for children with multiple special needs). Also provides a second short list of app collections at the end of this list.
http://teachinglearnerswithmultipleneeds.blogspot.com/2011/08/android-apps-for-our-kids.html

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Clipart courtesy of:
http://downextra.eu/mobile/1755283-best-mega-pack-android-apps-and-games.html

A Dozen for Autism--A Book List for the Spectrum

The most recent statistics regarding the prevalence of ASDs (autism spectrum disorders) in the U.S. and abroad that were published this past March are more than sobering.

Here are just some of the statistics reported (Data to 2008 provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—March 29, 2012):

• About 1 in 88 children has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.

• ASDs are reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.

• ASDs are almost 5 times more common among boys (1 in 54) than among girls (1 in 252).

Reference: Information and statistics above courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html/. (Add’l. information with data chart for 2006-2008 can be viewed via this URL as well.)

In light of this most recent data, we wanted to provide an updated book list for our readers seeking current information on the topic. We hope this list will offer the information needed to help many on the autism spectrum. I wish to thank Mrs. Noelle Bearer Mador who created the document, Special Needs Books to Read, the basis for the following booklist for autism:

1. How to Teach Life Skills to Kids with Autism or Asperger's by Jennifer McIlwee Myers

2. 10 Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbohm

3. 1001 Great Ideas for Teaching and Raising Children with Autism or Asperger's by Ellen Notbohm

4. Bright Not Broken by Diane M. Kennedy, Rebecca S. Banks, and Dr. Temple Grandin

5. Different Not Less by Dr. Temple Grandin

6. The Way I See It by Dr. Temple Grandin

7. Thinking in Pictures by Dr. Temple Grandin

8. Emergence: Labeled Autistic by Dr. Temple Grandin

9. Kids Beyond Limits by Anat Baniel

10. Be Different by John Elder Robison

11. Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and Other ASDs by Chantal Sicile-Kira and Temple Grandin

12. Between Their World and Ours: Breakthroughs with Autistic Children [Hardcover] by Karen Zelan

Additional Data and Resources for Autism

Data for the prevalence of ASDs by state (from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network -2012) http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/documents/ADDM-2012-Community-Report.pdf

The 2012 data (from 2006 and 2008) in chart format
http://www.stellamarie.com/index.php/2012/03/29/autism-rates-per-state-2008

Austism Services Providers (listed by state)
http://special-learning.com/asp

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Clip art courtesy of: http://clipart.mrdonn.org/emotions.html

More Resources for Sensory Readers & Learners

This past week, our team of consultants at Brennan Innovators attended The St. Louis Autism Conference (June 5 & 6, organized and sponsored by Touchpoint Autism Services). As we talked with the parents and service providers who asked about our reading tools, we were reminded again and again that sensory resources are key in helping to first soothe and then teach important concepts to children and adults on the spectrum. In addition, the more senses that are incorporated into the teaching process, the greater the learning success and retention will be for the learner.

Last December, we published a blog article here entitled Help for Struggling Readers with Sensory Needs. Since then, there have been a large number of visitors to that particular post. This past week, many conference attendees requested sensory resources and tools to aid them in their methods of instruction and care. We referred them to our December post. However, we thought that in our blog this week, we would continue the discussion and provide additional sensory resources for the attendees and for our readers here.

The list to follow below here will provide just of few of the current online resources for sensory readers and learners. Please take advantage of them and feel free to let us know of others you have discovered. We’ll add them to our list!

Here are the sensory resources we have to offer this week:

FREE Sensory Resources (from Child 1st Publications)--Presents a powerful, multi-sensory approach to teaching reading - specifically for right brained learners including visual and kinesthetic learners and those with special needs.
http://www.child-1st.com/new_site/FreeStuff.html

Dyslexia and Multi-Sensory Reading Techniques--Students with dyslexia often learn best when taught using a multi-sensory approach.
http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/84889.aspx

10 Apps for Learners Who Struggle with Reading and/or Writing--(from Paul Hamilton)
http://paulhami.edublogs.org/2012/02/21/10-apps-for-learners-who-struggle-with-reading-andor-writing/

Sensory Integration Resources--Numerous articles are listed here to help your child with sensory integration issues, including an interview with Carol Kranowitz, author of The Out of Sync Child.
http://www.comeunity.com/disability/sensory_integration/

More Sensory Information and Resources--General information and links of all types related to sensory integration are provided for parents (and teachers) on this website.
http://www.sensoryresources.com/

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Clip art courtesy of: http://www.123rf.com/clipart-vector/sensory_perception.html

Dyslexia + Pinterest = RELIEF!

We had such an overwhelming response to last week’s post on Struggling Readers + Pinterest = Solutions that we have decided this week to give similar attention and “focus” to dyslexia (please pardon the pun here!)

More Pinterest pinners are aware of the needs of those challenged with dyslexia than you might think. They know that these struggling readers often describe text as “shadowing”, “waving out”, or moving in some other way.

There are other experiences these readers report, too. Often, a developmental optometrist can be the preferred medical professional to test, evaluate, diagnose and prescribe the appropriate therapy or treatment for an individual challenged with these symptoms.

In the meantime, such a reader may very well be served by a collection of resources to bridge that time between scheduling an appointment and the first visit for evaluation. So once again, here we are with Pinterest, helping to provide a collection of “boards” containing resources and information about this vision-related reading challenge called dyslexia. Hope you find them to be helpful to someone you know with such symptoms!

Pinterest Boards with Dyslexia Resources

1. From Wendy Farrell---Board entitled “Dyslexia”
http://pinterest.com/farrellfam/dyslexia/

2. From Alison Seuter---Board entitled “Homeschooling ~ Dyslexia”
http://pinterest.com/aseuter/homeschooling-dyslexia/

3. From Tiffany Vokes--- Board entitled “dyslexia”
http://pinterest.com/tavokes/dyslexia/

4. From Karen Huppertz---Board entitled “Dyslexia Info and Tools”
http://pinterest.com/karenhupp/dyslexia-info-tools/

5. From this blog’s author---Board entitled “Dyslexia Resources and Support”
http://pinterest.com/brennajn2000/dyslexia-resources-support/

Once again, happy “pinning”--- and reading, everyone!

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Android Educational Apps, Anyone?

With more than 500,000 apps now in the Apple Apps Store and the current frenzy to purchase the newest iPad 3, it should be easy to see why we have given considerable attention in recent weeks to Apple’s apps.

At the Greater St. Louis Area Home Educators Expo this week in Manchester, MO, however, we received quite a few requests for Android educational apps. We thought it was about time to present some of these educational resources for Android users, too.

Here then is a short list of URLS for lists of some Android educational apps (one list is extensive):

1. 101 Best Android Apps in Education (general education)
http://101bestandroidapps.com/category/education/

2. 7 Special Needs Apps in the Google Android Markethttp://blog.friendshipcircle.org/2011/03/09/7-special-needs-apps-in-the-google-android-market/

3. Special Education Android Apps (some pricey/some FREE)
http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/special+education

We hope this short list will give you a few good places to start. Enjoy your investigation of these apps. As always, please feel free to let us know of others not listed here for the Android platform that provide good educational content. We’ll appreciate it!

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897