Re: [school-discuss] [slightly OT] dyslexia and the terminal

[Leon Brooks <leon@brooks.fdns.net>]

On Sat, 6 Jul 2002 15:27, s~TV wrote:
> has there been any research or experience of linux users who are dyslexic?

FOAF (Mac user) found that a *huge* monitor (equals large fonts and enough 
space to use them in) helped a lot. If you have one handy, or can borrow one, 
try it.

There are a range of odd things which help dyslexia. If your user was 
`educated' in a public school, especially of about 10-20 years ago, they will 
likely have been trained to read by a see-and-say method falsely labelled 
`whole language' (real `whole language' is more about learning things in 
context and is agnostic to, for example, the exact method used to teach 
spelling). See-and-say (pretty much exclusively sight words) has been 
correlated with some forms of dyslexia, and apparently some people have been 
helped by re-training phonically. It seems to plonk the language down in 
their brain in a more manageable arrangement. There is also a faux phonics 
system associated with see-and-say, called `phonetics', so don't be led 
astray by that.

BTW, all of this is OTToMH, I don't have any existing links handy, but Google 
is your friend. For example, the Google search `dyslexia phonics' 
(http://www.google.com/search?q=dyslexia+phonics) took me to, surprise, 
dyslexia.org (http://www.dyslexia.org/index.shtml), which doesn't look like a 
.org but does have this to say:

    GREAT NEWS FOR DYSLEXICS!

    Reading from Scratch, (RfS/EL) a program of science-based teaching
    techniques, now makes possible grade level or higher reading.

    WHY?

    Because brain scans have finally pin-pointed the CAUSE of dyslexia,
    and if you remove the cause, the reading problem can be fixed.

    HOW?

    A good reader uses the left side of his brain when he reads. A
    dyslectic reader uses the right by mistake.

    SOLUTION:

    Switch the reader over to the left where the programming is built
    in for reading and spelling. RfS/EL was designed to make that switch.

    RESULT:

    The previously dyslectic student can finally do academic work that
    reflects his ability instead of his reading problem.

    SENIOR OR JUNIOR?

    There are two versions of the program, a Senior Version for 10 year
    olds through adults, and a Junior Version for youngsters in the
    second, third and fourth grades.

    The Junior Version has slightly larger print and vocabulary and
    sentences geared to younger children. Enhanced Lateralization and
    the phonics presentation are the same in both.

Other interesting links from that search include:

    http://www.avko.org/               (extensive and useful linkage, eg)
    ->  http://www.avko.org/Essays/whole_language.htm (on whole language)
    http://www.dyslexia.com/qasymptoms.htm              (very useful Q&A)
    

Phonics i snot a silver bullet, but it does enormously help the vast majority 
of dyslexics in many situations.

Naturally, one has to ask (One being well kknown for putting his head in the 
lion's mouth): why aren't these obviously well known principles in wide use 
in our schools?

Cheers; Leon