Can some students simply not learn to read?

Question

There is a 10 year old student at my school who cannot read on grade level. He is currently reading at about a late-kindergarten level. Do some students simply not learn to read? I'm beating my head against the wall trying to figure out what to do. He is classified LD and in SpEd, so that's already taken care of. We're looking at assistive technology so that he can scan textbooks into a computer to have it read to him, and that sort of thing. We've checked his visual perception, his IQ is average, he wears glasses to see things far away. ??? I think that SOMETHING has to be wrong, but I don't know what........any ideas? He reads better when the font size is larger (he says it's because it has "more white space" :) ). A page of 12pt. text seems to "swim" when he's trying to read it. He can't seem to focus onto each individual word (but bookmarks with holes in it help some...).

Help?

Answer 1

Since the child has already mentioned he likes the bigger font because of the "white space, maybe you can purchase, or make, a reading tool for him. RIght now the name escapes me, but it is basically a white plastic material with a transparent line. It is used to cover the page except for the line of print a student is reading. The Edmark reading program kit comes with one so that the students can focus on that one line of reading. Also, when my son was in first grade his teacher used a similar divice that had a yellow or blue transparent strip that would help with the light reflection from the paper. She said she bought a class set of these in a teacher catalog.
One more suggestion, and i know you can not suggest this as the school would have to pay for it (Depending on how it is worded) The parents may want to take him to children's opthomologist. There is such a thing as eye therapy that doctors do with their patients to help the mind/eye coordination. I didn't know about this until a few years ago, when one of my LD student's parents told me about her son going to this. So I do not know how common this treatment is. (The way the parent described it, it can also be done at home with a computer) And it did help this student significantly. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Sure, all kinds of things can cause this. Have you talked to your school psychologist? They are typically good sources of info.

If he is dx as LD and is receiving support, that means they have identified some processing deficiency that requires extra work and support to overcome. Find out what that deficit is (typically for reading it is related to phonological processing in some way).

Also, look into ASD (autism spectrum disorder), specifically Central Auditory Processing and see if there is any info there that helps (I'm not saying he is autistic, but some CAP kids look very similar to LD kids). Go to about.com and search for LD support for teachers. You should be able to find tons of info there. You also might want to look for ADHD info for teachers on about.com (sometimes the techniques for ADHD work well with LD kids).

what you are describing about how a page looks when he tries to read it is typical of anyone who can't read (and of 5 year olds just learning to read). Look at something written in Japanese (assuming you can't read Japanese!) and tell me it doesn't look like the words are swimming. This is more related to feeling overwhelmed by all these unfamiliar marks on a paper. Try to give him books with only one or two sentences per page (bigger font...think K'garten type books) so he can grasp that first. (Like swimming in the shallow end of the pool before moving to the highdive!)

Another good thing I have found recently is to have the student watch t.v. with closed caps on. Have parents do this at home. Its not perfect, but it is similar to what you are talking about (scanning the books into the computer...excellent idea by the way)

Finally, don't give up...Challenge him, but have patience. It will continue to be a struggle but try to make it fun. Have him read books (comics even) that are of interest to him. For example if he loves baseball find easy baseball books to get him started.

You will see, if you haven't already, that he will be very inconsistent. One day he will have it and the next he won't. This is typical of LD students. Just keep showing him your love and give him your help and he will get better.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I can't say for sure--at least in detail--obviously--this is an online forum, not a testing center. But based on my experience with persons with disabilities, this screams"misdiagnosis."

What you are describing is not a child with a learning disability. It DOES sound like either a perceptual disability (possibly a form of dyslexia) and/or visual difficulty. This child needs to be retested.

It's possible the child does have an LD--though it does not sound like it. But either way there is DEFINATELY something else going on here. That's certain.

And my compliments--I wish more teachers would be as observant! :)

Answer 4

Has this child been seen by a Therapist, Neurologist etc.
Has he been seen by an Optometrist ofr Therapy and visual training.

At least he is trying to read, my son can't read and will probably never be able to, but does recognize the letter, but when ask what the letter is he doesn't know.

Be patient, sound like he is really trying.

Answer 5

I agree with the previous poster in that from what the child is describing, it sounds like he should be retested, and seen by an eye doctor or neurologist for visual problems or perception issues. Good luck!

Answer 6

Yew, any given individual can have a problem that requires specific and individualized methods to help them to learn any given skill. A learning disability is, in effect, a crossed wire in the brain.

This particular student has told you what he needs in order to read. He reads better with more white space. So give it to him. To do anything less than that is to fail him, miserably. Work with him and with his guidance, you'll be able to help him.

Answer 7

I'm not a doctor, but I do have a bit of a background in psychology. However, I think this falls under neurology. I can't think of anything psychologically wrong if his vision's fine, average IQ, etc, but if things seem to "swim," so it could be something chemically wrong in his brain. See if the kid's parents can afford to take him to a neurologist and find out.

Answer 8

i think of it relies upon on the guy. a chum of mine found out to study until eventually now he began college because of the fact his mom insisted and he's a C student who fairly does his artwork even nevertheless he certainly likes to study. one might desire to locate him examining on a weekend somewhat of putting out along with his buddies. I found out to study German until eventually now i began out German college and that i did not extra advantageous and no worse. I had grades that weren't undesirable yet they weren't staggering there incredible the two.

Answer 9

you have to teach him how to read!!