In the previous blog, we discussed what dyslexia is — difficulty with words — and what it isn't, which is permanent. So how can you tell if your child may have it? According to Scientific Learning Corp, here are clues you may notice at home and at school. At home, perhaps your child: Doesn't understand what is said. Responds slowly or is reluctant to talk. Says he or she didn't hear parts of conversations. Asks you to repeat what you said. Has difficulty telling stories or finding the right words. Uses incorrect words or phrases; guesses at the right words. When your child is in school, he or she may... Let his mind wander in class. Have problems following instructions. Forget questions when called on in class or hesitate to respond. Have trouble focusing in noisy situations. Experience difficulty with phonics, spelling, and idioms. Have anger issues or behavioral problems. Do these symptoms seem familiar? Remember, the condition does not have to be permanent. Let me show you how temporary these problems can be and how the brain of a dyslexic works differently, not poorly. David was a shy little nine-year-old who sat alone in the lunchroom because he was sure no one would want to eat lunch with him. When David first...

Dyslexia symptoms include difficulty with words, slow responses, and problems with instructions, but with help, symptoms can improve.

Clues and Symptoms of Dyslexia

 In the previous blog, we discussed what dyslexia is — difficulty with words — and what it isn't, which is permanent. So how can you tell if your child may have it? According to Scientific Learning Corp, here are clues you may notice at home and at school.   At home, perhaps your child:    Doesn't understand what is said.   Responds slowly or is reluctant to talk.   Says he or she didn't hear parts of conversations.   Asks you to repeat what you said.   Has difficulty telling stories or finding the right words.   Uses incorrect words or phrases; guesses at the right words.    When your child is in school, he or she may...    Let his mind wander in class.   Have problems following instructions.   Forget questions when called on in class or hesitate to respond.   Have trouble focusing in noisy situations.   Experience difficulty with phonics, spelling, and idioms.   Have anger issues or behavioral problems.    Do these symptoms seem familiar? Remember, the condition does not have to be permanent. Let me show you how temporary these problems can be and how the brain of a dyslexic works differently, not poorly.   David was a shy little nine-year-old who sat alone in the lunchroom because he was sure no one would want to eat lunch with him. When David first...

The ASL Dictionary includes 4,800 signed words accompanied by easy-to-follow videos to teach users Sign Language. It features common English phrases, the entire numerical system, dates, symbols, and 765 multiple meaning words, as well as 55 translated idioms and the finger spelled alphabet. The ASL Dictionary proves to be an excellent tool for children who are hearing impaired and for their parents to learn to communicate using ASL Sign Language. Available for download on Android, iPhone and iPad for $2.99. For more information, go here.

ASL Dictionary app has 4,800 signs with videos, phrases, and idioms for $2.99 on Android and iOS, helping people learn ASL.

Special Needs App of the Day: ASL Dictionary

The ASL Dictionary includes 4,800 signed words accompanied by easy-to-follow videos to teach users Sign Language. It features common English phrases, the entire numerical system, dates, symbols, and 765 multiple meaning words, as well as 55 translated idioms and the finger spelled alphabet. The ASL Dictionary proves to be an excellent tool for children who are hearing impaired and for their parents to learn to communicate using ASL Sign Language. Available for download on Android, iPhone and iPad for $2.99. For more information, go here.


ASL Dictionary app has 4,800 signs with videos, phrases, and idioms for $2.99 on Android and iOS, helping people learn ASL.

The Importance of Neuro-Typical Play Dates for Children with Autism Dear Developmental Doc: Do you have any ideas for helping my autistic child make friends? I recently started to volunteer in my daughter's kindergarten classroom (she's in a full inclusion setting) and I noticed that although there are children who seek her out to play that basically, my daughter has no idea what to do with them. I asked her teacher for help and she suggested that I contact you, Sara–Whittier, CA. Dear Sara: Play dates, up to 3 X a week, with typical developing peers are a critical intervention strategy for children impacted with autism. In every classroom across the Americas, there are children who are what I call "soft souls." These are neuro-typically developing children who not only tolerate the idiosyncratic behaviors of children on the spectrum, but actually embrace our "kids with needs." These "soft souls" encourage, cajole and demand from our impacted children, social interaction and while children with autism may appear to be socially reluctant with an adult, they are usually very willing and interested to be involved with these peers. One of the biggest obstacles to knowing how to play well with other children can include poor motor planning. This is where children literally have no internal map as to what to do in social situations and typically get stuck and stay stuck when they come to...

Neuro-typical play dates improve social skills in autistic kids, with 'soft souls' as ideal friends who embrace their needs.

Ask the Development Doc: Play Dates for Autism

  The Importance of Neuro-Typical Play Dates for Children with Autism     Dear Developmental Doc:     Do you have any ideas for helping my autistic child make friends? I recently started to volunteer in my daughter's kindergarten classroom (she's in a full inclusion setting) and I noticed that although there are children who seek her out to play that basically, my daughter has no idea what to do with them. I asked her teacher for help and she suggested that I contact you, Sara–Whittier, CA.    Dear Sara:   Play dates, up to 3 X a week, with typical developing peers are a critical intervention strategy for children impacted with autism. In every classroom across the Americas, there are children who are what I call "soft souls." These are neuro-typically developing children who not only tolerate the idiosyncratic behaviors of children on the spectrum, but actually embrace our "kids with needs." These "soft souls" encourage, cajole and demand from our impacted children, social interaction and while children with autism may appear to be socially reluctant with an adult, they are usually very willing and interested to be involved with these peers.   One of the biggest obstacles to knowing how to play well with other children can include poor motor planning. This is where children literally have no internal map as to what to do in social situations and typically get stuck and stay stuck when they come to...

My teachers say I'm addled...my father thought I was stupid, and I almost decided I must be a dunce.—Thomas Edison (the famous inventor pictured when he was a lad) He told me that his teachers reported that...he was mentally slow, unsociable, and adrift forever in his foolish dreams.–Hans Albert Einstein, on his father, Albert Einstein I, myself, was always recognized...as the "slow one" in the family. It was quite true, and I knew it and accepted it. Writing and spelling were always terribly difficult for me. My letters were without originality. I was...an extraordinarily bad speller and have remained so until this day.—Agatha Christie My father was an angry and impatient teacher and flung the reading book at my head.—William Butler Yeats, poet Willie was sent to lessons in spelling and grammar, but he never learned to spell. To the end of his life he produced highly idiosyncratic versions of words.--Biographer A. Norman Jeffares on William Butler Yeats I grew up in a school system...where nobody understood the meaning of learning disorder. In the West Indies, I was constantly being physically abused because the whipping of students was permitted.—Harry Belafonte, singer and actor Since I was the stupidest kid in my class, it never occurred to me to try and be perfect, so I've always been happy as a writer just to entertain myself. That's an easier place to start.–Stephen J. Cannell, screenwriter, producer, & director Kids made fun...

Influential figures share experiences of overcoming dyslexia, despite facing challenges in education and misunderstanding in society.

Now, Some More...Quotes from People with Dyslexia

 My teachers say I'm addled...my father thought I was stupid, and I almost decided I must be a dunce.—Thomas Edison (the famous inventor pictured when he was a lad)  He told me that his teachers reported that...he was mentally slow, unsociable, and adrift forever in his foolish dreams.–Hans Albert Einstein, on his father, Albert Einstein   I, myself, was always recognized...as the "slow one" in the family. It was quite true, and I knew it and accepted it. Writing and spelling were always terribly difficult for me. My letters were without originality. I was...an extraordinarily bad speller and have remained so until this day.—Agatha Christie   My father was an angry and impatient teacher and flung the reading book at my head.—William Butler Yeats, poet  Willie was sent to lessons in spelling and grammar, but he never learned to spell. To the end of his life he produced highly idiosyncratic versions of words.--Biographer A. Norman Jeffares on William Butler Yeats   I grew up in a school system...where nobody understood the meaning of learning disorder. In the West Indies, I was constantly being physically abused because the whipping of students was permitted.—Harry Belafonte, singer and actor  Since I was the stupidest kid in my class, it never occurred to me to try and be perfect, so I've always been happy as a writer just to entertain myself. That's an easier place to start.–Stephen J. Cannell, screenwriter, producer, & director  Kids made fun...

The second edition of Dr. Thomas W. Phelan's influential guide, All About Attention Deficit Disorder , explains in layman's terms the symptoms and treatments for this all too common condition. All About Attention Deficit Disorder asks the reader, What is your ADD IQ? The book focuses on what the symptoms, impact, and prognosis of ADD are. Dr. Phelan also talks about the diagnostic process doctors use to evaluate for ADD in straight-forward language that parents will appreciate. He outlines some answers to common questions about an ADD diagnosis, then explores treatment options, including medication “myths and misconceptions.” This book is an essential tool for helping people understand the idiosyncrasies of this disorder. Dr. Phelan writes with warmth and wisdom. His chapter on behavior management in children ages 2 – 12 is a wonderful example, as it focuses on changing the way parents think about disciplining their children with ADD/ADHD by first stressing that children are not “little adults.” Instead, he encourages parents to think of themselves as “wild animal trainers.” As happens quite often in this book, the reader will be drawn in by Dr. Phelan's easy-to-understand explanations: being a wild animal trainer does not mean to use whips or be abusive. It requires choosing a largely nonverbal method that effectively gets the child to do what the "trainer" wants. Although this book is essential for parents struggling to understand their child's diagnosis, it can also be an excellent resource for adults who may not have had the...

Dr. Phelan's book 'All About Attention Deficit Disorder' explains ADD symptoms, treatments, and offers hope for management.

Review: All About Attention Deficit Disorder

The second edition of Dr. Thomas W. Phelan's influential guide,  All About Attention Deficit Disorder , explains in layman's terms the symptoms and treatments for this all too common condition.  All About Attention Deficit Disorder asks the reader, What is your ADD IQ? The book focuses on what the symptoms, impact, and prognosis of ADD are. Dr. Phelan also talks about the diagnostic process doctors use to evaluate for ADD in straight-forward language that parents will appreciate. He outlines some answers to common questions about an ADD diagnosis, then explores treatment options, including medication “myths and misconceptions.” This book is an essential tool for helping people understand the idiosyncrasies of this disorder. Dr. Phelan writes with warmth and wisdom. His chapter on behavior management in children ages 2 – 12 is a wonderful example, as it focuses on changing the way parents think about disciplining their children with ADD/ADHD by first stressing that children are not “little adults.” Instead, he encourages parents to think of themselves as “wild animal trainers.” As happens quite often in this book, the reader will be drawn in by Dr. Phelan's easy-to-understand explanations: being a wild animal trainer does not mean to use whips or be abusive. It requires choosing a largely nonverbal method that effectively gets the child to do what the "trainer" wants. Although this book is essential for parents struggling to understand their child's diagnosis, it can also be an excellent resource for adults who may not have had the...

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Special Needs
Articles

Clues and Symptoms of Dyslexia

Special Needs App of the Day: ASL Dictionary

Ask the Development Doc: Play Dates for Autism

Now, Some More...Quotes from People with Dyslexia

Review: All About Attention Deficit Disorder

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

Clues and Symptoms of Dyslexia

Special Needs App of the Day: ASL Dictionary

Ask the Development Doc: Play Dates for Autism

Now, Some More...Quotes from People with Dyslexia

Review: All About Attention Deficit Disorder

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles