Discussion in a Dyslexic Support Group

 

                                     Click on the image above for a clearer view

I copied the chart above from a Dyslexia support group. This is the only dyslexia group that I have not been kicked out from for saying what I understand about ‘dyslexic’ kids’ vs ‘disengaged kids’.

This 7- year- old, grade 2 kid depicted in the image above does not have a problem with word understanding, understands what is heard and following the flow of conversation, but has a word reading problem as well as not being accurate with decoding words and reading accurately.

This appears to be similar with ALL the students I have taught.

 

She definitely does not have an auditory processing disorder. I don’t understand the untimed reading comprehension as to what exactly it means.

I would say that this is a clear example of a kid who has shut down from learning to read. Her father has said that his daughter is definitely not a shut-down kid. My definition of a shut-down kid is a kid who has disengaged from learning to read due to confusion. I have explained this with corroborative evidence in my book Shut Down Kids. I don't understand why Amazon has doubled the price that was quoted 2 weeks ago.

Here is a comment from someone in the group that made my day:

Luqman Michel Very good, thanks for sharing your story. I am a speech-language pathologist who followed the same journey and came to the same conclusion, that dyslexia is not about phonological awareness. Sure, it can be a diagnostic piece some of the time for some kids but it is not something all dyslexic students struggle with. I found that out right away when I assessed dyslexic twins who scored in the average to above-average range on all subtests of the C-TOPP. I took that test out of my battery for my later assessments.

Unfortunately, she also said:

 Luqman Michel The one thing all of my clients have had in common is a significant difficulty with rote memorization and learning by drill. Most of them have had a mixed receptive/expressive language disorder, so there are other areas of language and language processing that also need attention.

I asked her to elaborate and let us wait for a reply before continuing with this. Too many on social media say things that are often repeated by so-called educators.

Here is another comment from her and my reply.

This group is discussing what is best for dyslexic learners.

The following was my response:

I understand. What I am saying is that a majority of kids classified as dyslexic are disengaged from learning to read. According to what I have read over the last 15 years, only about 3% (at most) would be dyslexic while the rest are instructional casualties. It is the instructional casualties that I know a little about. I believe that many here will also benefit from this information.

If they are talking about the 3% then I have no place in this group. My forte is in talking about disengaged students who are wrongly classified as dyslexic.

I requested a recording of the pronunciation of the sounds of a few consonants. I believe she will pronounce them with extraneous sounds. If she pronounces them with extraneous sounds, it will confirm that she is a disengaged student and can be easily brought to grade level and maintained at grade level. Otherwise, the father will have to look elsewhere for a solution. 

30.12.2023 I am now adding a comment on the above discussion by 

Shawna Pope-Jefferson

The one thing all of my clients have had in common is a significant difficulty with rote memorization and learning by drill. Most of them have had a mixed receptive/expressive language disorder, so there are others areas of language and language processing that also need attention.

 

Here is my question on the above statement that has yet to be replied.

 

 

Luqman Michel

Shawna Pope-Jefferson This may need a little elaboration, please. What exactly do you mean by rote memorisation? What rote memorisation could they not do? I am beginning to like your style of responding. You have an open mind unlike many I have encountered. I think I can learn a lot from you.

 

The reason for my question is to find out for sure if she understands what is rote memorisation. If she understands then I want to know if she has ever asked her students to memorise the Dolch Words. Chances are she is repeating what is said on the Internet.