When my husband and I have  found our children struggling with different needs we don't have the answers for or know what to do about, I sometimes feel reluctant to ask for help, even though I care very much. That is probably a common situation. We value our family's self-reliance, …

We have had numerous parents and individuals ask about problems with numbers. Many who struggle with reading also struggle with math. Just as dyslexia refers to individuals who struggle with reading, dyscalculia refers to individuals of average intelligence who struggle with mathematical …

Yesterday a call came from someone who indicated he didn't struggle with reading or dyslexia, but had big trouble with spelling. He was frustrated that he couldn't put his thoughts on paper in any real form because his spelling was so limited. Since spelling is a mirror process of reading- …

Today in browsing an article from an education publication, I came across the term intensive support having to do with aniticpating and responding to an expected flood of challenges with autism in the future. Having a daughter with special needs, (down syndrome), in our family, this term …

There is more and more emphasis on fluency as research shows that it is a necessary precursor to reading comprehension. In educational language, “fluency” is a buzz-word that gets thrown around with great weight.  What is fluency?  Reading fluency encompasses …

I have just spoken this morning with a sweet woman I'll call Joan, (not her real name), who feels embarrassed about her inability to read well. She wonders if there is any hope, because even a private tutor didn't make much difference for her. The tutor didn't use a reading program, I …

A recent Friday night video at our house happened to be a 1929 oldie, "Wings" with Jack Powell. The cultural experience of watching a silent film is perspective-tilting to me. This particular Air Force story was to have happened in 1917. The clothes, cars, buildings and historical scenes …

My parents live close by, just up the street. We very much enjoy that fact, finally able to share more of life than we did for years while in different states. One of many things they share with us, my own family, is their daily newspaper. When finished reading, they …

Hello again.  I have been working with some schools and homeschooling families the past couple of weeks to help everyone get up and running for the new school year.  It is becoming more and more evident to me that very few of us really know how to teach reading.  I put …

As frequently happens, I had a phone conversation last week with a person concerned for their fellow employee needing improved reading skills in order to go any further in her line of work and leadership. Other than being challenged with the written word, she was the ideal person for her …