Learning Disability Information Center

Reading and Learning Disorders

View the useful information below to learn more about dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other common language/learning disabilities. Also, find out what the research is saying, and how to find help.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia Information - Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, affecting nearly 10 percent of the population. Click to learn about dyslexia and its causes and to view a diagram of the dyslexic brain.

Top Five Myths About Dyslexia - Busted or Not? The Top Five Myths About Dyslexia and the truth behind them.

 Dyslexia Assessment- If you are wondering, "Do I have dyslexia?," take this comprehensive assessment that tests dyslexia symptoms, phonemic awareness, decoding skills.

Signs and Symptoms of Dyslexia - This article contains tips for parents and educators to identify dyslexia symptoms in their children and students. Clues are broken down into what to look for in reading behavior at every grade level.
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Helpful Books on Dyslexia

Dyslexia Related Books List

What Is Dysgraphia?

Dysgraphia - Dysgraphia is another learning disorder involved with language-processing. Click to learn more about Dysgraphia, what signs to look for, and what you can do to overcome it.

What Is Specific Language Impairment?

Specific Language Impairment and Reading Disabilities- Read about specific language impairment, learning disabilities and what you as a parent can do to help.

What is Auditory Processing Disorder?

Auditory Processing Disorder in Children and Adults - APD is a language processing disorder where individuals have trouble processing sounds, particularly with the sounds associated with speech.

What is Dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia - Math Dyslexia - Dyscalculia is a language and visual processing disorder that affects a person's ability to understand the meaning of numbers and apply math principles to solve problems.

Orton-Gillingham Principles

The Orton-Gillingham Approach- What it is, how it helps, and who can benefit from it. A language-based, multi-sensory and structured method for helping struggling readers.

History of the Orton-Gillingham Method - This brief history of the Orton-Gillingham method explains how the teaching methods of Dr. Samuel Orton and Dr. Anna Gillingham came together. It also talks about why the Orton-Gillingham method works so well for struggling readers and those with dyslexia and other learning disorders.

Orton-Gillingham Correlation - Struggling readers flourish when exposed to structured, multi-sensory phonics instruction.

Orton-Gillingham in the Classroom - Video - This short video shows how Reading Horizons, an Orton-Gillingham based program, is taught in a classroom setting.

Research

Executive Functioning and Dyslexia - Research has shown a strong correlation between Dyslexia and deficits in short-term memory and executive functioning in the brain.

Overcoming Dyslexia - There are science-based solutions for overcoming dyslexia at every age.

Different Brain Patterns Seen in Those With Dyslexia - People with dyslexia show an abnormal pattern of brain function when reading.

Explanation of Dyslexia and Summary of Research - Research has proven that explicit, systematic phonics can actually help "rewire" the brain and can help dyslexic students learn to read.

The Most Effective Way to Teach Reading - Researchers have concluded that the most effective way to teach reading is through a synthetic phonics-based program that teaches the skills necessary to break down and manipulate the sounds that make up words.

Solutions

Dyslexia Solutions - Dyslexia programs that teach phonics sytematically and explicitly are the most effective.

Ron Davis and The Gift of Dyslexia - Ron Davis, author of The Gift of Dyslexia, offers extensive insight into overcoming the learning disability of dyslexia, but there's still something missing...Discover Intensive Phonics provides the interactive, visual and explicit teaching methods that help to overcome dyslexia and other learning disorders.

Teaching Children with Dyslexia - What Accomodations Should My Child Have at School? - This article discusses what accommodations are available at schools for children who struggle with reading.

Homeschool Helps

Find articles and tools specific to Homeschooling and how to make teaching reading easier.

Homeschool and Lesson Plans - A key to successful homeschooling is a well-structured lesson plan. Learn why they are important and what to look for when choosing one for your student.

Fall Back into Homeschool - 'Fall' back into the routine of learning with Reading Horizons at Home, and give your children all the tools and reading strategies necessary to get the most out of the school year.

Curriculum Information

Scope and Sequence, Student Reading Skills Guide - A general overview of how the lessons and skills in the Reading Horizons curriculum are organized and what is taught in each section.
PDF downloadable file ›

Helpful Tools and Reading Information

View practice tools, reading tips and research articles that are proven to help struggling readers.

Adult's Knowledge of Phoneme-Letter Relationships - This is an insightful article about how adults can have surprisingly low phonemic awareness. Read the research studies and see adult literacy in a different light.

Teaching Reading to Students with Autism - Temple Grandin shares insightful information in teaching children and adults with Autism.

Directional Tracking in Reading - Learn about the importance of directional tracking in reading and how Discover Intensive Phonics can help increase visual processing.

Does Discover Intensive Phonics Work for Good Readers? - Discover Intensive Phonics is designed and extremely effective for helping struggling readers, but what about good readers?

Fluency and Phonics - In education, 'fluency' is a buzz-word that gets thrown around with a lot of weight. This article explains what fluency is, how a reader becomes fluent, and ways to help foster fluency in reading with readers of all ages.

Reading Horizons is a Proven Job Performance Skill Booster - Has the uncertain economy and job market made you feel like you need to improve your job skill set? Do you need to improve basic skills, such as reading and writing, just to find employment? Reading Horizons is the perfect solution for professional development.

How is Reading Horizons Different from Hooked on Phonics? - A list of reasons why we are different and what sets us apart from most phonics programs out there.

Summer Reading Programs - Reading Horizons software is an ideal solution to keep kids from falling behind in reading during the summer months.

Six Ways to Refuel This Summer - Six fun ideas to help you and your kids enjoy this summer without getting burned out.

Teaching Phonics to Children with Down Syndrome - Find out the best strategies for teaching reading and writing to children with Down syndrome.

 Reasons to Improve Your Adult Literacy Skills  - Every part of finding and keeping a job requires basic reading and writing skills.  Increase your chances of landing employment in this tight job market and suffering economy with improved literacy.

Three Steps to Improving Your Reading Skills and Yourself  - Learn about three effective steps to improving yourself and your reading skills. Being able to read, and read well, is one great way to improve yourself.

Whole Language vs. Phonics - Ever wonder about the history of teaching reading using whole language vs. phonics? Read for yourself about both and how we can find a balance.

Practice Tools

42 Sounds Card Set - To be used with the Word Builder tool in providing practice with letter identification and sounds.

Word Builder Practice Tool - To be used with the 42 Sound Card Set in providing practice with letter identification and sounds.

Reading Tips

Empowering Readers by Helping Them to Apply Decoding and Comprehension Skills - One question teachers and parents ask is how to help students transition the phonetic skills they are learning to their reading skills. Learn how to ensure their success.

How to Help a Struggling Reader: 101 - Interesting and effective ways to help your child overcome reading difficulties and show them that reading can be fun.

"A Dozen Tips on Raising a Reader" - 12 ways parents can help their children learn to love reading.

Making Connections - Reading Strategies - What are your hobbies? What are your interests? Reading books about things that you or your child has an interest in will help you both enjoy reading.

The Struggling Reader and Stress - Having difficulty reading can put added stress on your child at school and at home. Here are some tips to helping them cope with these feelings.

10 Tips for Choosing Books for Children of All Ages