Remedial Reading

There are two difficult processes that can be identified in our family when remedial reading is necessary. One is memory work ( learning letters, digraphs etc) and two fluid blending of letters, digraphs, diphthongs etc.

It has taken some of our children years to learn these processes, using  every know method to teach them and usually when I am despairing that we will never teach a child to read they seem to come right. Once they have the two concepts above under their belt they suddenly fly ahead with reading. Within months of our oldest daughter reading years behind her age, she was reading at a 16 plus level, using the New Zealand reading tests. Other of our children seem to take to reading like a duck to water, and read above their age level from the word go.

Here are some things that have helped me over the years: (1) A child should never feel inferior because they struggle to read. (2) Like speech dispraxia or 'slowness to talk' they can come right with time and it is not always a reflection of intelligence levels. (3) They should be treated with respect and where at all possible they should be protected from being made to feel stupid.

Here are some useful word lists.


http://www.hisdwelling.com/ShortVowelRule.html
http://www.hisdwelling.com/LongVowelRules.html
http://www.hisdwelling.com/DiphthongsModifiedVowelsDigraphs.html


"It is common for an autistic to have trouble connecting two events even if they are very close together. For example, if teaching reading with flash cards, use cards with both the written word and the picture of the object on the same side of the card. If they are on different sides, the child may not understand that they represent the same idea." http://www.hisdwelling.com/AutisticChildren.html

Don't give up, always be kind and encouraging, and overly generous with praise. Make it a lot of fun with lots of games and 'tricks' to make the boring seem new and interesting and always, always enjoy reading together!  Ruth Beechick's books have lots of good ideas. (The 3 R's)