Learns Phonics

What kind of program is best for my child with learning disabilities?

My son is in 5th grade, and he has been diagnosed with mild ADD (not ADHD) and a slight dyslexia. He also has trouble reading because the therapist said he never properly learned his phonics, so he has a very hard time reading and understanding what he is reading. The schools wont do much for him, and I would like to find a program that will work best for him, but how do I do that? He obviously needs to be taught differently than other students, or we need to figure out different ways for him to learn. The schools have tried many different programs for him, none of which have helped. Im talking to some specialists outside of the school district, and it will cost a pretty penny, but I want to find something that works! How can I trust that these people are going to help me find the right way to help my son, instead of looking out for their own financial benefits? How can I be sure that if I go through the specialists outside of school that I won’t be wasting more time and money?

Hi, I’m a mom of a student with ADD and a special education teacher. I teach 6th grade.

First, let me explain what is going on with your child. He is probably not feeling very good about himself because he thinks he is “dumb.” This is the first thing you need to address. Support him, tell him we have all failed him because we should have picked up on this sooner. Tell him he needs to help you help him by learning to read better and this means going back to square one…phonics.

Now the hard work. He has to be taught the rules of English and how to apply these rules so that he reads fluently. Rememeber that reading without understanding or without being able to apply or restate what you read is not reading. Keeping this in mind I suggest two programs: a phonic rules based program and a fluency program. I don’t know of any program that does both to my satisfaction. Your son is an older student who probably can be retaught to read using a program that teaches the rules of the english language (phonemes, graphemes, open and closed syllables) in order to decode faster. Decoding words faster will help his fluency (reading at a good pace). Good fluency will help his understanding. Teaching your son this will also include you learning the rules so that you can help him when he stumbles. I use the Wilson Reading Program to teach rules and the Read Naturally program to teach fluency. There are other programs and teachers/people who are certified to teach the programs. I suggest hiring a private tutor certified in a reading program/s which teach phonics & fluency; or enroll him in a center that uses certified reading programs. Reading programs should be ruled based and consistent. Most reading programs are research based, which means a think tank has studied diverse groups of students using the program and proven its efficacy.

Good luck…By the way.. Staple goods in our home were computers, palm pilots, paste-it notes, colored pens (note taking), a designated homework area, and a mandatory monthly novel. Books on Tape are great for teaching how fluency sounds…hearing others read outloud helped my son understand how important it is to read at a natural pace in order to understand context.

help me to learn phonics