What kinds of tools or therapy are available for dyslexic readers? How do I get them?

Question

My teenage daughter has the kind of dyslexia where characters and words and even entire lines of text move. She has somehow managed to compensate in the past, but class work is even more difficult now that she is in high school, and she is frustrated.

**BTW, our school district only tests for one form of dyslexia, so there are many dyslexic students who are not served by the schools here. Private testing + therapy is hardly affordable.

I guess the costliness of diagnostic tests is relative. To me, the $450 that the private diagnostician here charges *is* expensive. If anyone knows where we can get the test done for under $100 in the Texas Rio Grande Valley, I'd appreciate it.

Answer 1

Testing for dyslexia is not that expensive--and people with dyslexia do NOT require therapy. However, if you already have a diagnosis by a qualified professional and the documentation, the school system is required--by federal law--to provide appropriate accomodations. And if it does not suit them to do that, tough--the law says they will.

There are organizations (both for training and for advocacy) that focus on persons with dyslexia. Get in touch with them--they can help you with more details. Also get in touch with your state Dept. of Vocational Education. That's the usual agency to help you set up an IEP (Individual Education Plan) for your daughter. They can also help with training in coping skills, etc. for your daughter.

Finally-a general note. Because dyslexia is so diverse in its effects, there are a variety of strategies that are used to provide accomodation. Training in skills to offset the dyslexia is one. Often, assistive technology is used. This can vary from using a "CCTV" and/or special computer software to magnify andadjust images for reading and computer work (and in the latter case, can also provide audio output); audio tapes of textbooks (which are available from the National Library forthe Blind andPhysically Handicapped==and after a 1 time (lifetime) registration fee [$35, I think] you have unlimited use--free--and given enough notice they will tape a textbook if they don't already have it--also for free).

Etc. The point is, get in touch with the agencies I mentioned--there is help out there for you. Goood Luck to you both! :)

Answer 2

The type of "dyslexia" you're talking about is most likely not dyslexia at all. Rather, it's probably something called Irlen Syndrome. For approximately $75 you can have your daughter screened for it. If she has it, for an additional ~$150-200 she will be tested for a colour of lenses that will get rid of the distortions. Then, when you receive the lenses, you will need to purchase frames (or use frames she already has, if relevant) and have the lenses cut to fit. That's the end of the expenses, most likely for the rest of her life. And, that's most likely the end of her visual distortions for the rest of her life. Some people do need retints, but this is uncommon and may only happen after a few years of wearing. These are the glasses one response referred to, and Irlen Syndrome is the reason plastic overlays work as someone else suggested... if the primary symptom comes from too much glare, the clear overlay may work. However, some people have trouble with glare, others with the black ink -- no two people will have the exact same symptoms. Check out www.irlen.com for more information and for a list of local practitioners. A word of caution: Do not use other types of coloured lenses... the colour needs to be exact, the lens needs to be tinted, not coated with the right colour, and there is no substitute for trying the various options and finding the one that is exactly right as an Irlen Diagnostician will do. (As an aside, I have this to a mild degree, and when I moved to Israel, the increase in brightness due to the desert sun increased the frequency of my migraines from ~4/year to 4/week! I now wear my purple glasses nearly all the time.) Good luck!

Answer 3

dyslexia is a very misunderstood situation. I have a quick little think that I learned working as a special ed.aide. It's very simple and works.

Get some sheets of colored plastic:the kind that can be found in note books or in that general area. Put it over what ever you are reading. I can't tell you why it works , but we used this, and for some reason, it makes reading , and math easier. Your daughters school should have some sort of tutoring to help her. I'm in Ca. and we have the no children left behind act. They are responsible for all testing. It is the law. Check into the laws in your area. Be an advacote for her,or find one for her.

Good luck

Answer 4

My stepson has this very dyslexia like thing called visual processing disorder. And there were all these routes suggested like the special tinted glasses and the computer programs etc. etc. We found a guy in Ks that has this program called Bal-A-Vis-X. (His site is Bal-a-vis-x.com) anyway, it consists of some very simple hand eye coordination techniques, and balancing and juggling.
Not expensive and the results we have had are dramatic.

Answer 5

Schools are not suppose to test for ANY type of dyslexia. Did the school tell you this? If so, they probably said this so you won't push for them to help your child.

Dyslexia is not one of the 14 categories that children can qualify under to be in special ed, BUT children who qualify ARE suppose to get help for what the dyslexia causes.

For example, they are suppose to get specialized help if the dyslexia is causing problems with writing, reading, etc.

Schools are suppose to 'find and evaluate' ALL children suspected of having disabilities, to see if they qualify for help thru special ed. I have NEVER heard of a school doing this.

The parent has to request the school to do an eval to see if child can qualify for special ed services.

Most schools in america are corrupt when it comes to special ed. If you REALLY want the school to help, you and the school has to follow a specific legal process called IDEA 'individuals with disabilities education act'

The best site for this is www.wrightslaw.com

And the best site for practical help is www.schwablearning.org
sign up for free to post on their 'parent to parent' message board.

It is a good idea to have private testing done to see what the exact problems are, but this testing alone can not be used by the school to see if child qualifies for special ed services.

The school HAS to do their own testing in order to determine if services are needed.

The outside help I have heard that is very good are reading programs called
Ortin-Gillingham, LindaMoodBell, and Wilson.
These are very expensive, though.

Go to the schwab board and the people there can help a lot!

Answer 6

Growing up my brother was dslexic, and my mother took him to the doctor.They found out that his form could be treated with glasses.I donno if this helps but I hope you find your answers. Tell your daughter to hang in there:)