Working to build reading fluency this year...

[NCW]

and I want to make sure I'm not missing something. DS is 11. DS's dyslexia seems to be primarily due to visual issues - we've been through tx, although not finished, I admit, and we need to get back to working with a DO again. We had a great DO, but had to move this summer, and I dread finding a new one I trust and starting all over again. Not sure we can afford it, either...

We've finished ABeCeDarian level C, and are working now in Rewards Intermediate. We do timed fluency readings daily from materials I downloaded from the A-Z Reading Tutor website. We also read one small book each day out loud together, taking turns page by page. He has some assigned independent reading for history, and I still do read-alouds. We're doing Plato Science online, because I just don't have time to read all his material to him.

I've observed his fluency increasing over the past month through all the oral work. I'm just asking you experts! if there's anything I'm missing...or could do more effectively. We're all so tired of this reading struggle, and my spouse and I are getting worried it'll be a lifelong challenge for him. He's gifted in math, but still makes errors due to transposing numbers, and can't seem to memorize basic facts no matter what we try, so he's getting held back by that, as well, right now.

I can see through writing this that we really do need to get back to the exercise program (Neuronet - his DO prescribed it) we were doing last spring with all the directionality & vestibular components. Anything else???

[Dobela]

Have you used any books on tape? Our reading tutor recommended that we let our son listen to them 15 minutes or so a day, even if he isn't looking at the book, so he can hear the language and the flow of it. But more than anything she recommended reading aloud at least 30 minutes a day for fluency.

[NCW]

Yes, he's addicted to audiobooks...I often feel I compete with the ipod for his attention. Just last night I had to tell him he couldn't listen today until after his schoolwork is done. I hate to do that, but it was pretty frustrating getting his attention. He likes to listen during household chores and meals, which I generally allow for breakfast, and often lunch. I guess I can be grateful for that - he's listened to all the STOW books more than once, History of US more than once, etc (as well as Harry Potter and Artemis Fowl). I've started ordering classics, so he made it through Greek myths, the unabridged King Arthur, etc. I hope I don't sound like I'm bragging - this is good for me to be reminded of his strengths, because that oral reading is exhausting every day, with refusals and dawdling and goofiness and and and...the King of Delay Tactics. I think if we add it all together we might be close to an half-hour of oral reading each day, but I'm not sure. I'll try to pay attention today.

I guess this is why we are pretty sure his dyslexia is visual - sees double, things move around, had a very narrow visual field (DO told me that he could only focus on a portion of each word at a time - syntonics worked WONDERS for that and calmed him down, as well).

Back at it...
Thank you!

[Laurie4b]

and I want to make sure I'm not missing something. DS is 11. DS's dyslexia seems to be primarily due to visual issues - we've been through tx, although not finished, I admit, and we need to get back to working with a DO again. We had a great DO, but had to move this summer, and I dread finding a new one I trust and starting all over again. Not sure we can afford it, either...

We've finished ABeCeDarian level C, and are working now in Rewards Intermediate. We do timed fluency readings daily from materials I downloaded from the A-Z Reading Tutor website. We also read one small book each day out loud together, taking turns page by page. He has some assigned independent reading for history, and I still do read-alouds. We're doing Plato Science online, because I just don't have time to read all his material to him.

I've observed his fluency increasing over the past month through all the oral work. I'm just asking you experts! if there's anything I'm missing...or could do more effectively. We're all so tired of this reading struggle, and my spouse and I are getting worried it'll be a lifelong challenge for him. He's gifted in math, but still makes errors due to transposing numbers, and can't seem to memorize basic facts no matter what we try, so he's getting held back by that, as well, right now.

I can see through writing this that we really do need to get back to the exercise program (Neuronet - his DO prescribed it) we were doing last spring with all the directionality & vestibular components. Anything else???

Sounds like a very solid approach to me!

[ktmo]

It sounds like you are doing a lot of great things. I don't know if what levels you are using, but if you go down a level or two below his reading level when you are focusing on fluency, the reading is "easier" it can help with fluency and then you can gradually increase the reading levels. Also, if you do timed readings and have him keep track of his time on a chart, that can be motivating. I know that Jamestown Publishers has some books addressing fluency, which are high interest.

[NCW]

Thank you all for your encouragement! Sounds like we're on the right track - we'll just keep on keeping on. He is complaining less about oral reading, so that is a relief and a step ahead...Thanks again.