When Experts Disengage: A Response to Dr. Boulton and the Silence Around Shut-Down Kids

 

In Part 1, we revisited the insights of Dr. David Boulton, Dr. G. Reid Lyon, and Dr. Siegfried Engelmann—experts who, as early as 2003, understood that confusion, not disability, was the root cause of most reading difficulties. They knew that ambiguity in English orthography, when not properly addressed, leads children to disengage. They knew that instructional casualties far outnumber true cases of dyslexia. And yet, despite this clarity, the problem persists.

 

In Part 2, we turn to the uncomfortable truth: when independent voices try to engage with these experts, they are often ignored, dismissed, or blocked. I know this firsthand.

The failure to meaningfully address illiteracy feels intentional. (Part 2)

 

i.                     There were several emails to and from Dr.David Boulton. After the initial few emails he stopped responding to my questions. I commented on Dr. David Boulton’s LinkedIn post. He unfriended me on LinkedIn but immediately deleted the videos that were detrimental to kid that I had complained about. You may read my comments and his response at https://www.dyslexiafriend.com/2017/07/drboulton-drlyon-and-drengelmann-on_23.html#more

 

If he disagreed with me and blocked me why would he delete the 2 videos I had complained about? The 2 videos deleted were videos teaching consonants with extraneous sounds.

 

Please read the comments from my readers on the post above.

A fictitious tale by a SoR proponent Dr. Brittney Bills

 

The following is a Twitter discussion between Dr. Brittney Bills and Alanna Maurin in December 2020. I did not take part in the discussion.

Dr. Brittney Bills @Brittne79358065

“Imagine a nation where 99% of our third graders read at or above grade level and where our high schools are dominated not by students who are discouraged and frustrated but by confident young adults who are preparing to fulfill their life mission.” - Denise Eide

Confusion

I have repeatedly said that kids shut down when they are confused.

I came across the following videos when browsing the ‘Childrenof the Code’ website.

“I am sounding them just as I have been taught but, I don’t know, they just don’t seem to work……

It’s so confusing.”

Extracts of interview – Dr.Timothy Shanahan in COTC (Part 1)

You may read the full interview here - Children of the Code.

Dr. Timothy Shanahan:  What we really want all systems set up towards is making sure that people are getting more literate. Obviously, more literate means different things. If we’re talking about a third grader it might mean just raising his traditional reading level. If we’re talking about an older student or an adult you very well might be talking about using literacy in an entirely different way than they’ve ever used it before or using it to drive a kind of thinking that they never or rarely engage in. As far as I’m concerned, anyone who wants to increase literacy, I’m on their team. 

Reading, to me, involves some kind of an interpretation of written symbols.

Dr. Thimothy Shanahan’s blog post on Phonics (Part 1)

Recently I came across a Blog maintained by Dr. Timothy Shanahan. I made the following comments and received his responses below.

At the bottom of this page you will see the link to Dr.Shanahan’s blog but for now let us look at my comments and his response.

I hope this discussion with Dr.Timothy Shanahan will continue.

Dr.Boulton, Dr.Lyon and Dr.Engelmann on disengaged kids (Part 2)

I have copied the comments of Dr. Boulton and my responses in the Linkedin website for your convenience.

My comment in Linkedin about 1 year ago:

"One should stop categorising all students who find it difficult to read as dyslexics and shove them aside. A majority of these kids are kids who learn differently from the roughly 80% of kids who learn regardless of the way they are taught. Researchers in Children of the Code already are aware of how to teach these kids. 

There are many teachers around the world who have taught disengaged kids successfully. Why not spend the required money to teach these kids instead of wasting it on building prisons and teaching kids in prison. Find the cause and eradicate it rather than trying to find a cure for the symptoms."

Dr.Boulton, Dr.Lyon and Dr.Engelmann on disengaged kids (Part 1)

The following article was posted by me in Linkedin on September 2015

In response to Andrea’s comment on my article on 'Tale of two studies' I now post extracts from various articles from 'Children of the Code'.

As early as 2003 researchers already were aware of the fact that a major cause of illiteracy is because of children shutting down/disengaging. In time I hope to find out why this information is not wide spread and why solutions have not been suggested in ‘Children of the Code’. Perhaps Dr. David Boulton will read this post and favour us with a response.

Email to Dr. David Boulton (Part 3 of 3)

·         luqman michel

·          

·         06/09/15 at 4:41 AM

To

·         David Boulton

Hello again Dr. David Boulton,

I think it is time to challenge our institutionalized assumptions about reading failure. Our assumption that many students will be poor readers can and should be changed. As Dr. G Reid said these kids are “instruction casualties”.

Now, I am giving you anecdotal evidence on questions you have raised in your interviews.

Please give me your views.