Dyslexic and Irlen Tendencies

when i was in college i was diagnosed with irlen syndrome as was a dear friend of mine...there are tinted lenses and tinted transperansies you can use to combat this problem. lighting is also a big issue for irlen people. creating an environment where it is easy to focus on the text is vital. there is also a fabulous child psychologist in town named velda vela-trujillo...give her a call :)

blessings,
M. m

Hi,

I have a good friend who started a non-profit organization in Austin called Out of the School Box to assist parents of children with learning disabilities (dyslexia, ADD, ADHD,etc.). Check out their website outoftheschoolbox.org for helpful information. Best of luck,

M.

Hi L. - we have 5 children that joined our family through adoption. 4 of 5 have varying degrees of *dyslexia*. One thing I would highly recommend is reading from this website:

www.bfeye.com

3 of our children will begin vision therapy next week. I have talked with others that have been through this program and only gotten rave reviews. Dr. Ann Voss is very good and will give you a detailed report and offer suggestions on what will work for your son. Irlen Syndrome is not an optical problem. It is a problem with the brain's ability to process visual information. Vision therapy might be something that works well for him....check it out.

Please inform your school that you will need to have a STAT meeting to go over testing results. From there you should be given a date for an ARD to develop am IEP for your son.
Another great website to help you understand how you can best help your son and to prepare you for these meetings is:

www.wrightslaw.com

You are your sons best advocate for what he needs from the school.

Also, this is a very tough age for a boy to work through divorce. I know our church has a very good program for children/families going through divorce. Get yourself and your son into a good support network....this is a lot to handle as a single mom.

Blessings to you!
S.

I have a 25-year-old son who had the same diagnosis at about the same age. He did very well with Irlen lenses other than being teased about wearing them. Is it possible that your son is a perfectionist and has no desire to improve because he doesn't think he'll do well enough? The best advice I can offer is please have patience. My son is a wonderful young adult now and excelled in college. He still doesn't read at a high rate of speed and prefers to listen to audio books, etc., but his comprehension even at a young age was amazing. His math skills at a young age were above average (except when they involved word problems). I'm sure your son will do well also. It just takes time.

I have a son that was/is Dyslexic and ADD, as a child he could not read, write or spell but was great with numbers. And too, divorce without a Father was part of the problem but no the main one.
He was very good in sports and loved to play, so that is where he put his energy. Special education, one on one classes did him no good, he would get frustrated and stop listening to the teacher, so they just give up on him.
I would help him at home with his spelling but he just could not see it.
He loved to draw, that was his release. And over the years he has taught himself to write, spell and understands all he read. The answer.
He ask God to help him overcome these things in his brain and to teach him how to spell, write and comprehend what he reads.
Today he is 38 years old, write bible studies, teaches the Bible to others, and is a very talented artist with a Bic Pen, I have some great drawings.
There is your answer take him to a Bible believe church, met other child that have the same problems and let him know he is not alone in this Dyslexic world.
He has to be his discussion to learn, it is mostly from fear of not being loved and frustation of not being able to be himself. Forcing him to do things he can't.
I cried many days because my son could not to will in school studies, but he was a very sweet, handsome and popular boy. Everyone loved him and wanted to be his friend, he over came the teacher telling him you can't read, you can't spell, when are you going to learn?
This is only my opinion.
My son never took mind alert drugs perscribed for Dyslexic or ADD. He just played harder and used his engery on things he loved doing.
Thanks for listening.
CP

Hi L.,

I am a Dyslexia Specialist in Midland, Tx. I don't know where Winnie is. A great website with lots of RESEARCHED info. is www.Brightsoulutions.US. We use the Barton Reading and Spelling System to help students in this area. Parents and kids think it is a "miracle". I would encourage you to find help for your son. Years of struggle in school usually only leads to frustration and low self-esteem. Many students just "give up" and drop out of school if it gets too hard.

One thing about the Barton program is that you can be your son's tutor. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to write back or to call my office. ###-###-####. Best of luck and God Bless, L.

L.:

I'm a special ed teacher, so I do have experience with these issues. My first bit of advise is: Don't be discouraged! This will get better!

When you say that he was "diagnosed", do you mean by your son's school? If so, please make sure that he is accepted into the Special Education program, or will have a "504" status. This will put him in touch with the academic resources that he needs. There are programs that are specifically designed to address dyslexia. They are very comprehensive and systematic in teaching a child with dyslexia to read well. (Another plus: His handwriting should be beautiful!)

Irlen's Syndrom is characterized by moving, or "dancing" text. Here is a website with lots of information: http://irlen.com/index.php?s=index

Now, in regard to his state of mind, give him time. Allow him to soak in the information that he is going have to work a little harder to get what everyone else seems to get so easily. The advise in a previous post about you and your ex working with him and supporting him together is great! He needs to know that you are going to love him, no matter what. Then, celebrate his successes, no matter how small! They may be small to you, but to him, it may have been like climbing a mountain!

Lastly, if his emotional state does not improve, then he may need to have some professional counciling. It sounds as if he may be depressed. This is a lot for a little boy to handle...divorce, failure in school, and then, finding out that he "has something". Also, please know that childhood depression does not always manifest itself like it does in adults. He may show his through rage instead.

Anyway, hang in there. Things will get better. Take advantage of all of your resources. Be your child's biggest advocate and champion at school and at home. Learn all you can so that you can help as much as possible.

Good luck.

A.

Hi L., my daughter had a learning problem and was struggling with reading as well. I took her to a place called Gulf Coast Educational Center in Kingwood, TX (they have other offices, but this one was the closest to me). There she began excersizes and tutoring with the instructors and this lasted for about one year. Now she is making straight B's in class and is doing much better with reading. Look into this place maybe they can help you son as they did my daugter.

Thanks,

T.

L., I have a 14 year old with the same 2 diagnosis. I am surprised that a test would show that he has no desire to improve. What test was that? Before my son was diagnosed, he was very frustrated with school. Now he is in a comprehensive dyslexic program in school. He actually has a "dyslexic class" that he attends everyday and he has modifications in place for all of his other classes. He has learned so much and is no long er frustrated, but he is not an honor student either. When his dad and I divorced, he was 10. I had to give him a little more attention and frequently email the teachers to keep him on task and to keep his talkative behavior under control (he has always been a talker). This year is has completed all of the dyslexic program and he is doing well, but I still have to keep on him about doing his homework because it will always be challenging for him. I hope your son in receiving proper dyslexic education and an overlay to use for the Irlens syndrome, if he is not, it would explain his lack of desire. A little extra TLC during the divorce period and possible counseling. It really helps.
J.

L.,
When I was 7 I was diagnosed with acute dyslexic problems. At that time Irlen was not known about. I have as an adult been diagnose with Irlen too. I was very luck. My parents were both very well educated teachers who were willing to try new and different things to find ways of helping me learn easier(there weren't any programs for dyslexics at that time.....in fact very few in the medical community knew about it and none in the education community.) One of the things that my mother did was to put me in dance classes to help with my directionality and perception skills. I was also put in piano lessons. This helped me with acturacy and helped my hands do what my eyes say and my ears then were able to hear the mistakes and I could correct instantly.
The reason I am telling you all of this is to let you know there is hope. I am now a retired teacher. I received a BS at 21 and a masters at 25. I have been written up in several editions of Who's Who. I was one of the doctors worse disgnosed patients and I made it with a lot of push from my mom and her willingness to try a lot of new things. Music, Sports, gymnastics, and dance all provide skills that help dyslexics. Above all, have him read every night for at least 30 minutes out loud to you. Read comics, his homework, magazines, novels, whatever. Also, check his homework for spelling accuracy and have him correct mistakes.
Keep the faith. There is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
S.

I cant offer any advice yet. But wanted you to know I KNOW EXACTLY what you are going through.

My 10 year old son is having problems reading but excels in math. The only problem he has in math are the word problems, he cant comprehend the questions. He has been tested for dyslexia, and they want to diagnose him with special ed. I do know that once he's diagnosed as spec ed, it is hard to prove otherwise later on in life.

My XH and I divorced a few years ago and he is taking it the hardest (we also have a 6 year old daughter).

I'm not sure what Irlen is, but it may be worth it for me to look into. I wish you the best of luck while you sort things out with your son. It IS tough right now, but I know we can overcome these obstacles for our children.

I recommend you try Dr. Kendal Stewart with the NeuroSensory Center. ###-###-#### www.neurosensorycenters.com
He tries to treat the source of the problem (within the sensory system) instead of just the symptoms. This will not be a "quick fix"--it takes up to 3 months to get an appointment, and it takes a while for the medicine to take effect--but it will be worth it in the end. My son is seeing him and we have been very pleased. My son is only in second grade, but has been behind in reading since Kindergarten and the school was starting to discuss a dyslexia diagnosis before he started the treatment. Now he is catching up!

Regarding your divorce...of course any stress on a child will impact their ability to function in other areas. However, it does not sound like the divorce is the source of the problems...

K.

While he maybe acting out, he may have just gave up and is thinking that he should just give up. What you could do is buy a couple of books that he is intrested in. If he is intrested in swords buy some with swords, if its fantacy, buy some of those. Help him read them. Ask him what kind of books he would be intrested in and help him. Let him know that you and your ex are going to work together in helping him and are not going to give up on him.

My daughter also has acted out when something has changed in her life. She isnt dyslexic or have Irlen tendencies but she does have a father that pops up once every couple of years that makes her life flip up side down. She thinks it is he fault that her dad isnt around, her fault that when her father comes around he only visits for a couple of days then leaves again with out a word. Even though I explain it to her that its not her, she will always feel the pain and the guilt. She has gone to counceling since she was little because she gets depressed over her dad.

I am dyslexic. In school I hated reading and writing, was great in math and science. I have to read a book several times and ask my husband, my mom, or my sister to help me with words that I just cant get or understand. When I am done reading the book if there is a movie about it I watch it so I have a better understanding of it.

I think that if my parents or my teachers would have caught this earler than maybe I wouldnt have had to fight so hard just to make it in school and in my life now.

I am a 29 year old mother of 3 children ages 12,7, and 5.

I wish you and your ex the best of luck in helping your son with his reading. Never give up on reading

My 9 year son is also dyslexic. He was diagnosed when in the first grade. He has struggled alot with his reading disability. His math is very strong.. until they get into the reading problems.. Then his struggle shows a little. There is a federal law that ALL children with this disablilty recieve special reading classes. My sons is called 504 and we have moved 3 times and every school has placed him in this class. At first I didn't really like the idea of him going to a remedial class. But I can only say now that it has helped more than I could ever have believed. He has learned alot of "skills" that have helped him with his reading. At home depot they have this pipe that curves.. LIke a phone alomost. One of his schools would have him hold that up to his ear and mouth to read Into it. It might sound odd BUT IT WORKS! Something about being able to hear himself and what he is reading. He would read as though there is not an issue with reading at all! I know he will not always be able to carry that around and use it where ever he goes.. But this is a fixable problem. It will just take alot of practice on his part, HELP FROM THE SCHOOL!!! They have classes, and teachers that can help him you just have to DEMAND it... and of course encouragment from you. Hope that helps

My son is dyslexic. The way I helped him was just to have him read to me every night. He hated it but it worked and a couple of years later he actually thanked me believe it or not. He is now an avid reader. He also went through some classes at school that helped alot. I think every child wants to learn but they like to be stubborn sometimes. I know my 8 year old absolutely dislikes reading but on her reading taks test she only missed two questions so is like everything else with a child you have to find what works for them.

My girlfriends 2nd grader just got diagnosed with Irlen's syndrome and they are working with the glasses at school with him and it helps track the eye movements. She was told to use yellow overlay to study at home over his papers. They also were gonna specially make yellow sheets just for him of all his work at school...request it.

My son struggles too (maybe Dysgraphia) and I haven't figured out what to do yet but I'm praying about it at Moms In Touch with our school.

Blessings to you and ask God specifically for the things you desire for him and his LD. Also, ask God to heal his broken heart and meet his intimacy needs he may be missing because of Daddy not being right there. I hope he improves quickly.

Love In Christ,

D.