Low cost solution for learning disabled students.Several reads of dyslexiaconsultants.com have been requesting information about a research backed, low cost learning program for dyslexic students. After speaking with Gary Smith, CEO, BrainSkills LLC, and reviewing the science behind his program, we have found his program's to be good, low cost, educational programs that dyslexiaconsultants.com readers should serious consider. For more information, please contact Gary Smith at 719-357-8030. Overcoming Reading and Learning Difficulties Identify and fix the cause. If you are reading this article, you or someone you love likely struggles with reading and learning. It is important for you to understand that in most cases, there is a reason or cause for this problem. The good news is that in most cases you can do something to address the cause. So the key to success is finding and understanding the cause, then address the cause not the symptoms. There are three general layers that impact learning; physical, innate cognitive skills and instruction. This article will focus on cognitive skills. It is assumed that the student is receiving adequate reading instruction. If there is a problem, it is likely based upon an issue within the first two layers. The first layer is physical. This includes such things as hearing and vision and any physiological element needed to process and understand information. When you hear, see or feel sensory inputs, your mind has to receive/process those inputs correctly. If that information is lost or skewed anywhere along the path, that will impact your mind’s ability to make proper sense of that information. I recommend reading the book entitled “Smart but Feeling Dumb”, by Dr. Levinson. He provides a good explanation about the sensory management pathway, how things can go wrong and how that impacts the ability to read. The first step is to make sure all sensory input systems are working properly. The second layer includes the innate cognitive skills your mind uses to process information. These are the tools your mind uses to learn. There are 70 skills that have been identified and measured. The seminal work by John B. Carroll, Human Cognitive Abilities: A Survey of Factor Analytic Studies (1993), lays the foundation for understanding cognitive skills and human intelligence. Please refer to the following link for more information, http://www.indiana.edu/~intell/carroll.shtml. Probably the most widely known model of human cognitive abilities is the Cattell-Horn-Carroll theory of cognitive abilities (CHC theory), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattell-Horn-Carroll_theory. In general, weak cognitive skills make learning hard. Strong skills empower learning. Every student should have a cognitive skill assessment to know whether any weak skills are impacting that student’s ability to learn effectively. Go to www.gibsontest.com to learn more about how easily and affordably you can do a general cognitive skill assessment. In most cases, struggling students have one or more weak cognitive skills that are impacting their ability to learn. Once you know if this is the case, you can do appropriate training to strengthen weak skills. There are generally two types of programs; ones that are comprehensive and remediate significantly weak skills (including reading skills) and ones that merely hone adequate skills or have a limited focus. Most online programs do not fully remediate significantly weak skills and are not comprehensive. Successful clinical programs offer the best solution. It is like hiring a personal trainer to make sure you get the most of your gym membership. One of the best clinical programs is www.learningrx.com. Their site offers a wealth of information on the topic of overcoming learning disabilities. They also have a site that provides recommendations for free exercises, www.unlocktheeinsteininside.com. I recommend that you sign up for their free newsletter to receive lots of great tips and updates on the latest research. There is no obligation. In situations where access to a clinic is not feasible, BrainSkills was developed to provide the best alternative. BrainSkills is a comprehensive online cognitive skill remediation program. It includes an introduction to phonemic awareness, the foundational skill required for making sense of phonics. If you would like to view a demo, please send an email to smarter@brainskills.com or visit www.brainskills.com to learn more.
|
