One of the blog writers had written the following in her blog:
“Myth 5: People with dyslexia see things backwards.
Fact: Dyslexia is not caused by a vision problem, although reading difficulties very often are. Children need to have their eyes (and ears) checked regularly – and if there is a reading problem make sure the optometrist knows this. There are lots of exercises and strategies that can be used. If these sort the reading problem out, then the difficulty is not likely to be dyslexia.
Dyslexia - A different perspective: My experiences teaching children with dyslexia.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Dyslexia myth
Monday, November 1, 2010
Dyslexia- Middle of The Road Mentality
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Dyslexia - Spelling Bee
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Phonological Awareness Deficit is not the cause of dyslexics being unable to read fluently - A Myth Busted
It is a fallacy to state that phonological awareness deficit is the main or even one of the causes of dyslexia as claimed by many researchers and Dyslexia Associations.
Let us clearly define what is not dyslexia.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Dyslexia - Learning disabilities – conclusion.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Dyslexia - An English Language Problem
Dyslexics and spelling
Last week my first dyslexic student John came to my house for a casual visit.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
My e-mail to Dyslexia Scotland part 2
For those of you who did not read the comment by Alan Gurbutt I reproduce it here:
Alan Gurbutt said...
Hi Luqman,
Thank you so much for your unique insight. You have provided a useful alternative to challenge the homogeneous belief, so prevalent in the UK, that dyslexia is a learning disability.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Dyslexia- My e-mail to Dyslexia Scotland
This article is in response to the comment by Liz Ditz on my article dated 21.8.2010.
She had written, “I am not sure why you haven't received responses to your letters of inquiry”.
I am not sure either and I leave it to you, my readers, to see if you have any idea why I do not get a response to similar letters written to Dyslexia Associations, Research Universities, and other Government institutions.
One of my readers from Scotland, Alan Gurbutt, commented on my article on 29.4.2010. You may read the full comment here: http://www.parentingdyslexia.com/2010_04_01_archive.html
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Dyslexia - A multi- billion US dollar business
Dyslexia is a multi-billion US dollar per annum business. Billions are spent on research into dyslexia, therapy, brain imaging, drugs, tuition, salaries for all the people working in all kinds of organizations involved in things related to dyslexia and many other things purportedly said to do with dyslexia. As such it is obvious why organizations will make dyslexia sound like a disease that can only be cured or treated with great expense.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Dyslexia- A convenient term for reading difficulties in general
Following my last article, I would say that there is no reason why most dyslexics cannot read well with the right instruction.
People often accept dyslexia as an incurable disease. From my experience of teaching dyslexic students, I have found that all my dyslexic students can read if taught in a way suitable for them.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Dyslexic children who could not read but can read as adults
The questions that arise in my mind are: “Why is this so? Why is it that they could not read when in school but are able to learn to read when they get older?” I believe the answer is simply that as an adult they can reason out and realize that they have been trying to learn English in a logical way when many of the words are not spelt logically. When this realization sets in they have no problem learning to read in English. There is no underlying reason (except perhaps that they had not been taught the way they should have been taught) as to why most of them had not learned in the first place.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
How I teach my dyslexic students - Part 1
This is an introduction to my article on “How I teach my dyslexic students”.
Many children find learning to read in English easy but not so dyslexic. Dyslexia is a learning style with strengths and weaknesses. With timely intervention and effective instruction, dyslexics can learn at a rapid rate and can even do exceptionally well in school. Some of the characteristics of dyslexic children are:
How to help build a dyslexic child’s self esteem
Monday, July 5, 2010
The blind man and the elephant: (Disecting childhood)
The following article is from Dr.Selznick's blog. It is about a mother who was recommended a different "remedy" each by various "experts" she had gone to seek advice from for her daughter who had trouble reading.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Discourse with Dr.Selznick – Shut-Down Learner Final Part & Lesson 45
Dr.Selznick: I think your approach of being clear and direct with the kids is good. Not sure about the kids you deal with in your area, but many here could care less. I think with your passionate approach to linguistic explanations and the evolution of the English language, I am sure they are soaking up your wisdom!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Dicourse with Dr.Selznick Part 7 & Lesson 44
Dr.Selznick: Yes, understood. But, give me an example of a logical and an illogical thing that they learn, so I know what you are referring to.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Discourse with Dr.Selznick Part 6 and lesson 43
Another point for elaborating please:
Your book pg 39 : For example, take the name Darcy, which is on the list.
Discourse with Dr.Selznick Part 5 and Lesson 42
Doc,
Thank you for your mail and example of the tennis players.
Now, perhaps we can move on to the next questions I had asked you about your book.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Discourse with Dr.Selznick - Part 4 & Lesson 41
Dear Doc,
I understand that yours is not a teaching task.
I understand your tools as well. All my dyslexic students will have no problem with your exercise.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Discourse with Dr.Richard Selznick - Part 3 & Lesson 40
Dear Doc,
Thank you so much for entertaining my thoughts and findings. This is very kind of you. I hope we and my readers can all benefit from this discussion.
Discourse with Dr.Selznick on Shut Down Learner - Part 2 & Lesson 39
Doc,
I have come to learn that most of the people "shut down" when something different from their experience or understanding is mentioned. They do not read with an open mind. I believe one should listen to any suggestion and weigh it before accepting or discarding it.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Discourse with Dr.Richard Selznick - Author of Shut Down Learner & Lesson 38
11.5.2010
Dear Luqman:
Here are some of the observations that I can share with you relative to some of the issues that you raise:
Monday, June 7, 2010
Autism Spectrum syndromes & Lesson 36
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Auditory Processing Disorder & Lesson 35
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Comments in a dyslexia Forum & Lesson 34
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Dyslexia -The Shut Down Learner – Book review.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Dyslexia - Recognizing the genius sitting next to you...
Dyslexia and Meares-Irlen Syndrome
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Read to your children, whatever their ages
Read to your children, whatever their ages
One of my readers, Heidi, made the following comment on my article entitled: - “Headmistress agrees with the advice given on dyslexia”:
Heidi wrote, “I read to my son every night since he was a baby. He grew up to be a dyslexic. He is awful with punctuation, but I never have to change his grammar or sentence structure. It is always correct. He also likes to write stories (just for years they weren't spelled right). Now, I know the reading must have really helped his correct usage of word structure, and probably his love for writing stories.”
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Teach your dyslexic child to read - Phonics vs sight reading
Phonics aims at teaching children the skills necessary to decode a word.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Who says dyslexic children are phonologically unaware? & Lesson 26
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Dyslexics - Can they become writers and authors? & Lesson 25
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Dyslexia and iPhone & Lesson 24
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Headmistress agrees with advice given on dyslexia.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Pygmalion effect & Lesson 22
The power of expectation cannot be overestimated. It is well known and has been called the Pygmalion effect. Your expectations of your student is a key factor in how well he performs in his school work.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Phonics and Lesson 21
O as in oat, obey, old and over.
O as in object, occupy, offer and office.
O as in onion.
O as in ooze
O as in orchard, orchid, order and orchestra.
For lesson 21 click here :
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Phonics and lesson 20
I as in idea, iron, island and item.
I as in ignorant, ill, improve and in.
I as in irk
Note: I regret I was unable to post my article last Wednesday as I was out station. Similarly I will also be out station for a week from first of May.
For lesson 20 click here :
Friday, April 16, 2010
Phonics & Lesson 19
E as in each, eel, equal and evil.
E as in earn, early, earth and err.
E as in ebony, echo, elbow and elephant.
E as in eight, eighteen and eighty.
E as in elastic, elect, enough and erupt.
E as in either
E as in ewe.
For lesson 19 click here :
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Phonics and Lesson 18
U as in umbrella, under, up and ugly.
U as in uniform, unit, urine and use.
U as in urban, urchin and urge.
For today’s lesson click here:
Monday, April 12, 2010
Phonics & lesson 17
It is best to explain to a dyslexic child the sounds represented by each letter in the English alphabets as and when you come across it when reading. This way he will not be confused as to why the letter “A” was pronounced one way at an earlier date and now pronounced another way.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Dyslexia - "Off Days" & Lesson 16
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Dyslexia- How to teach a dyslexic child to read.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Dyslexia - Learning languages & Lesson 14
We in Malaysia have always taken for granted about children speaking two, three, four or more languages. This is not the case in other countries as I came to realize recently. Some people in a group I belong to seem to make a big deal about their children speaking one foreign language.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Dyslexia - Phonemic awareness & Lesson 13
On the 1st of April a member from a group I belong to commented on my article about the Australian boy in Japan. I have copied the relevant part of her comments below:
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Dyslexia - Early intervention & Lesson 12
Recently one of the members of a group I belong to asked “……..I am not sure if it is just delayed learning or if there is another underlying cause for his difficulties.”
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Dyslexia- Should a child be informed he is dyslexic
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Lesson 11
I think it is an interesting read.
European English:
AS a result of the new Lisbon Treaty signed only last Friday-The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Dyslexia - Teacher's role & Lesson 10
When I spoke with primary schools teachers about 5 years ago I was shocked that not one of the more than 10 teachers I spoke to knew what dyslexia was.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Dyslexia - Parents role & Lesson 9
Monday, March 22, 2010
Lesson 8
A few readers had complained that they were unable to download lesson one. I am sorry, this was because for my first lesson I had used Microsoft office which some of you may not have. Hakim advised me to change it to PDF format which I had done from lesson 2. Now lesson one too has been formatted in PDF format.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Lesson 7
The ‘s’ should be pronounced clearly for the student to grasp it.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Lesson 6
This is a continuation from the previous lesson.
You may explain the sound made by the combination of the letters “fr”.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Lesson 5 - OG
Sound out the sound that the letter ‘o’ makes in the word ‘dog’.
Sound out the combination of the letters ‘og’.
Ask him what sound would ‘rog’ make.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Dyslexia -My logical thinking students & Lesson 4
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Dyslexia - Thinking "inside" the box.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Lesson 3
Sound out the letter ‘a’ and ‘n’. Then sound out the combination of sound ‘an’.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Dyslexia - Phonic vs. sight words
Monday, March 8, 2010
Dyslexia Myth
I have been surfing the net for definitions and the following is what I have unearthed.
I have copied the following from Dyslexics.org.uk
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Lesson 2
This is the best time to introduce another sound represented by the letter ‘a’. This sound for ‘a’ is ‘er’. Compare this with the first ‘a’ that your student learnt – ‘a’ – ‘air’. Make sure that he understands this well.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Lessons
A little each day.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Remy - another student
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sequencing - Third and final part
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Dyslexia- Sequencing part 2
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Lesson - Preliminary
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
My first student John
Monday, February 22, 2010
Accent marks,Solution for a dyslexic child
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Not Dyslexic
Friday, February 19, 2010
Research Reports
My question is,“What is the dyslexic association doing about all these research reports?”
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Very interesting news find – A must-read for all.
I surfed the net to see if I could find newspaper articles on dyslexic children in Japan and I chanced upon the following article about a dyslexic Australian boy in Japan.
The article is dated 10th July 1999. That was 10 years ago. You can read the full article here.
I have copied some of the salient points:
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Unlearn
Teaching almost all my students to unlearn was a big problem. Teaching them something new is one thing but teaching them to unlearn something that they have learned and practiced for a year or more is not easy at all. I found that the child’s face went blank when I pronounced certain words. It took me a while before I found out the reason.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Dyslexia- American vs. British English
Monday, February 15, 2010
Dyslexia - Malay, Mandarin and English
Bahasa Malaysia (The Malay Language)
This is our National Language and all students have to learn this language. The only letter that represents more than one sound in Bahasa Malaysia is the letter ‘e’. It can be pronounced ‘er’ or ‘ay’.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Dyslexia - A Different Perspective
In 2004 one of my neighbours asked me to tutor his son. I said that I have not given tuition to any child and asked him to look for a proper tuition teacher. He replied that since my children have done exceptionally well in school I should be able to help his son. After much persuasion, I agreed to try. After three lessons which were nerve racking he told me that his son was dyslexic. His son John (not his real name) had just completed a year in a public primary school and was going to be transferred to a private school in Kota Kinabalu and would be placed in primary one as he could hardly read. I had not heard the word dyslexic and checked the internet to learn about dyslexia. Having checked a few sites I took it up as a challenge to teach John. By this time I had taken a liking to John as he was a jovial child.