GENERAL ADVICE

Children with reading problems should sit facing the board. Copying should be kept to a minimum. Copying material should be placed on the desk in front of the child - preferably avoid placing material to left or right but place above writing paper.

Playing games to improve visual function are a good way to improve the basic skills required for reading.

Play Happy Families - this is good for visual spatial memory

Jigsaws - are also good at training spatial aspects of vision.

Swingball, bopit, and other co-ordination games are also advisable.

Braingym and other exercise programmes are also good for people struggling to read or write.(www.braingym.org)

Multisensory methods of learning - this may involve using music as an aid to memory, make letters and words from modelling clay, trace letters and words in sand in a tray, using computer programmes such as read and write or using a leap pad so that words can be seen and heard simultaneously.

There are many aids to reading available for the internet - power cursors highlight the words you are reading and browsealoud allows any highlighted word to be read out aloud.(http://www.browsealoud.com/downloads.asp)

These are only some of the suggestions given to my patients. Instruction in the most appropriate therapies is available at consultation. Dyslexia and Dyspraxia are not curable but they can be treated and confidence and ability can improve considerably with the right sort of treatment. If in doubt why not contact us for advice at admin@rainbowreaders.co.uk.