Language Challenges Uncovered: The Foundation for Academic Achievement Part 2
If language is the foundation for academic achievement then what do language challenges look like in everyday life? There are many areas that can impact language including word finding, auditory processing, comprehension and As a speech therapist one of the most telling signs of word finding problems in children and adults is the frequent use […]
Sensory Processing Disorder: Symptom of Autism
“I only eat Cheerios for breakfast.” says one of my clients on the autism spectrum. People on the autism spectrum often have reduced palates. Sensory processing disorders can impact speech and language.
Whole language vs. phonetic based reading
Why are we trying to decide whether whole language or phonetic based reading instruction is the right kind of reading instruction. Kids should have both. The difference between the two forms of training is that whole language instruction means that reading instruction is done within the context of whole- language. Phonetic-based instruction, like Orton-Gillingham is reading […]
A plan to written success
Students with language-based disabilities often struggle with the acquisition of written language skills.
Reading words or learning to read? Part III
It is a fact that students with language-based learning disability require more intense structured instruction over a longer period of time in order to acquire many aspects of language.
Reading words or learning to read? Part II
I’ve been frustrated this year with the level of reading instruction my daughter has received. What did I notice about my daughter’s reading abilities? She skipped words she didn’t know, and she confused small words like “of” and “off.” When I asked her indirect questions about stories she had read, she’d fall out on the floor screaming. Okay, I […]
Reading words or learning to read? Part I
My daughter’s reading instruction at school has been frustrating this year. She is a fluent reader, but when you ask her what she has read. Her answer is sometimes, “I don’t know!” Her comprehension is not equal to her fluency level. Is this normal? Yes, she has been working on learning to read the words, […]
Painful to Watch
I watched a movie called, “In Her Shoes” with Cameron Diaz as a character that drinks and can’t keep a job. The movie implies that this may be the result of poor reading abilities. She tries to hide her reading impairment from family and friends. Due to lack of self-esteem she feels her only value […]
The sweet smell of success
Success! One of my high school clients with a moderate to severe language-based learning disability that looks similar to dyslexia, scored in the average range on a formal assessment for writing at the sentence level. This is so exciting! Last year formulating sentences with prepositions, adjectives and conjunctions was a huge challenge for this client. […]
Case Study: Part II Reading and Technology
It has taken years of work two times a week to bring Renee’s reading rate up to a functional rate that can support her high school academics. However, Renee’s reading rate is still not grade level and because she easily fatigues when reading, remediation can not be the sole solution. She does not always read […]