What is Dyslexia?
Or, Specific Reading Disorder?
The word Dyslexia comes from the Greek, meaning “difficulty in dealing with language.” DYS (difficulty with) LEXIS (speech). In fact, it is a specific difficulty in dealing with language, that is, in understanding written or spoken language, and in organizing, storing and retrieving information. It is not a result of subnormal intelligence, primary emotional problems, brain injuries, or perceptual impairments.
It occurs in 10-20% of the population, at a 4:1 male-female ratio, among those of average to superior intelligence. It is neurologically based, a function of a particular kind of brain structure, and tends to run in families.
Dyslexia is personal: it can manifest differently, even within families, and varies in degree of intensity. Although Dyslexia is a lifelong condition, there can be successful remediation, particularly with multi-sensory training.
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Family history of language-based disorders.
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Late or poor speech and language development.
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Difficulty with alphabet or sounds that letters represent.
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Unable to put sounds together to make words.
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Unable to read except for some learned words.
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Difficulties in studying for and coping with assignments and exams.
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Disorganized, loses things consistently, and has difficulty following directions.
Orton-Gillingham and Barbara Wilson methods are two examples of multi-sensory approaches to reading disorder remediation. Students use visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (seeing, hearing, speaking, writing) modalities in learning to read, write and spell. These methods are structured, sequential and organized.
The student learns both phonetic elements (sound), as well as the rule of structure of English. These approaches require mastery of one level before proceeding on to the next, and have proven consistently to be valid and successful.
My lessons, using a variety of multi-sensory approaches, are completely individualized and one-on-one.
Telephone: 831-637-3271
Email: dmkelly444@gmail.com