Before writing about Lexercise, I wanted to see how it worked for Harlow. So in the weeks leading up to camp and the weeks after, I started Harlow on an 8 week Lexercise program to test it out. We are currently on Week 4.
Im orton gillingham trained. Frustrating nj took so long t’o recognize as an alternative learning style. Really brilliant kids underserved a really long time.
It is frustrating. We see so many bright kids from all across the country who have gone years without the type of intervention -- or sometimes the amount of intervention -- they need. By the time they finally do get help they often have developed anxiety about school and have missed out on years of the type of knowledge-building that only reading can provide. The impact of delayed treatment for dyslexia and other reading problems is well known. We call it the Vortex of Dyslexia: https://www.lexercise.com/blog/dyslexia-effects. Keep up the good work!
Hi Dorothy. Processing difficulties often impact multiple areas, e.g., reading, spelling, writing and/or math to different degrees. If the student's math struggles involve processing word problems Lexercise can help. Getting a clear idea of what is causing the difficulties is the first step. You might consider using one of the Free Testing options on the Lexercise website and/or schedule a free consultation with a Lexercise therapist to discuss your child's patterns. https://www.lexercise.com/ Let us know if we can help!
Thank you so much for this resource. I'm about halfway through reading it, and already have questions. But, I'll finished first, after we finish our morning routine.
So I did finish reading the newsletter. And, I looked at the website. I'm wondering if there is an option to just do the 15 minutes a day of games specifically for spelling and handwriting.
I think you are asking if there is a a "games only" subscription plan that involves just the games and no lessons, right? We don't have a games-only subscription plan because research so strongly supports the importance of a supportive, partnership relationship (with a therapist or a parent-coach). Lexercise lessons are set up as conversations, discussing why words are spelled as they are and how develop automatic, legible and even beautiful (!) handwriting.
If, on the other hand, you are asking if Lexercise can be customized to focus on spelling and handwriting as opposed to reading, the answer is definitely YES! Professional Therapy is always customized to focus on what the student needs. It is common for bright dyslexic students to have more difficulty with spelling and writing as opposed to reading. That pattern has been called "stealth dyslexia". Here is a graphic that illustrates it: https://www.lexercise.com/blog/reading-writing-spelling-dyslexia-more-than-meets-the-eye
What age is the screener and quiz geared towards? I started looking over the quiz questions and I am not sure how to even answer, because my kiddo is in 2nd grade and I feel is so far behind. Like to the point he cannot read most things. He can sometimes sound out small words and bigger words with prompting. He is in special education and did not even fully recognize all the letters in the alphabet until well into 1st grade.
Hi Kelly~ My son was also a non-reader in 2nd grade, and it was scary and frustrating! The good news is that structured literacy (OG) is VERY effective, especially when done early.
The Lexercise Screener is designed to work for any student who has had at least 6 months of reading instruction (so from about the middle of Kindergarten up). Like all screeners, it is designed to alert you if there is a risk of a reading disorder. But it sounds like you actually already know that your son is behind. So, instead of a screener, I think what you may want is information about what exactly is holding him back. The Lexercise Reading and Spelling Inventory that Ilana mentioned in her post is designed to provide that kind of information. You and your son would work with a Lexercise structured literacy therapist to complete the Inventory, and then you would get a detailed report that will give you a clear, detailed game plan for how to help him. You can read more about it here: https://www.lexercise.com/reading-spelling-assessment.
We'd love turning kids into readers and word nerds!
Hi Jamie. The cost depends on the package that you select: Professional Therapy or Basic Therapy. At this link, you can see descriptions and costs for both: https://www.lexercise.com/online-dyslexia-treatment. Let me know if you have other questions!
I realize the report from Lexercise is inadequate for an IEP, but I wonder if that could be taken to a child's actual medical provider and used toward diagnosis.
Only reason I wonder is that I took one of the online ADHD tests from a site mentioned by @Jill Williams Krause. I took the results of that test to my provider, and they accepted it with no question.
ADHD and dyslexia work quite differently from both diagnostic and IEP perspectives. While ADHD is a diagnosis that is typically made by a (pediatric) medical provider, very few medical providers are trained in or used to making a diagnosis related to dyslexia or other reading disorders.
For school (IEP) purposes, ADHD is categorized under "other health impairment" while dyslexia and other processing struggles are classified under "specific learning disability". For a specific learning disability IEP, schools typically require testing by their school assessment team.
Thank you for the in-depth explanation. It was just a thought I had while reading. My teen has ADHD, and we went through all the steps with reports from us, reports from his teachers… it took far longer to get his dx and treatment plan than it did mine. So, I was just curious if the Lexercise report could help expedite a dyslexia dx.
Im orton gillingham trained. Frustrating nj took so long t’o recognize as an alternative learning style. Really brilliant kids underserved a really long time.
Sherry,
It is frustrating. We see so many bright kids from all across the country who have gone years without the type of intervention -- or sometimes the amount of intervention -- they need. By the time they finally do get help they often have developed anxiety about school and have missed out on years of the type of knowledge-building that only reading can provide. The impact of delayed treatment for dyslexia and other reading problems is well known. We call it the Vortex of Dyslexia: https://www.lexercise.com/blog/dyslexia-effects. Keep up the good work!
Does Lexercise offer help with Math in addition to reading?
Hi Dorothy. Processing difficulties often impact multiple areas, e.g., reading, spelling, writing and/or math to different degrees. If the student's math struggles involve processing word problems Lexercise can help. Getting a clear idea of what is causing the difficulties is the first step. You might consider using one of the Free Testing options on the Lexercise website and/or schedule a free consultation with a Lexercise therapist to discuss your child's patterns. https://www.lexercise.com/ Let us know if we can help!
Thank you so much for this resource. I'm about halfway through reading it, and already have questions. But, I'll finished first, after we finish our morning routine.
So I did finish reading the newsletter. And, I looked at the website. I'm wondering if there is an option to just do the 15 minutes a day of games specifically for spelling and handwriting.
Hi Caroline,
I think you are asking if there is a a "games only" subscription plan that involves just the games and no lessons, right? We don't have a games-only subscription plan because research so strongly supports the importance of a supportive, partnership relationship (with a therapist or a parent-coach). Lexercise lessons are set up as conversations, discussing why words are spelled as they are and how develop automatic, legible and even beautiful (!) handwriting.
If, on the other hand, you are asking if Lexercise can be customized to focus on spelling and handwriting as opposed to reading, the answer is definitely YES! Professional Therapy is always customized to focus on what the student needs. It is common for bright dyslexic students to have more difficulty with spelling and writing as opposed to reading. That pattern has been called "stealth dyslexia". Here is a graphic that illustrates it: https://www.lexercise.com/blog/reading-writing-spelling-dyslexia-more-than-meets-the-eye
LMK if I can answer other questions!
Thank you! You did answer my question. It looks like an excellent opportunity.
What age is the screener and quiz geared towards? I started looking over the quiz questions and I am not sure how to even answer, because my kiddo is in 2nd grade and I feel is so far behind. Like to the point he cannot read most things. He can sometimes sound out small words and bigger words with prompting. He is in special education and did not even fully recognize all the letters in the alphabet until well into 1st grade.
Hi Kelly~ My son was also a non-reader in 2nd grade, and it was scary and frustrating! The good news is that structured literacy (OG) is VERY effective, especially when done early.
The Lexercise Screener is designed to work for any student who has had at least 6 months of reading instruction (so from about the middle of Kindergarten up). Like all screeners, it is designed to alert you if there is a risk of a reading disorder. But it sounds like you actually already know that your son is behind. So, instead of a screener, I think what you may want is information about what exactly is holding him back. The Lexercise Reading and Spelling Inventory that Ilana mentioned in her post is designed to provide that kind of information. You and your son would work with a Lexercise structured literacy therapist to complete the Inventory, and then you would get a detailed report that will give you a clear, detailed game plan for how to help him. You can read more about it here: https://www.lexercise.com/reading-spelling-assessment.
We'd love turning kids into readers and word nerds!
What is the approximate cost of the tutoring?
Hi Jamie. The cost depends on the package that you select: Professional Therapy or Basic Therapy. At this link, you can see descriptions and costs for both: https://www.lexercise.com/online-dyslexia-treatment. Let me know if you have other questions!
I realize the report from Lexercise is inadequate for an IEP, but I wonder if that could be taken to a child's actual medical provider and used toward diagnosis.
Only reason I wonder is that I took one of the online ADHD tests from a site mentioned by @Jill Williams Krause. I took the results of that test to my provider, and they accepted it with no question.
Hi Kristin,
ADHD and dyslexia work quite differently from both diagnostic and IEP perspectives. While ADHD is a diagnosis that is typically made by a (pediatric) medical provider, very few medical providers are trained in or used to making a diagnosis related to dyslexia or other reading disorders.
For school (IEP) purposes, ADHD is categorized under "other health impairment" while dyslexia and other processing struggles are classified under "specific learning disability". For a specific learning disability IEP, schools typically require testing by their school assessment team.
See these articles for more details: https://www.lexercise.com/blog/special-education-categories-in-school
https://www.lexercise.com/blog/dyslexia-diagnosis
I know it's a lot to navigate! Let us know if we can help!
Thank you for the in-depth explanation. It was just a thought I had while reading. My teen has ADHD, and we went through all the steps with reports from us, reports from his teachers… it took far longer to get his dx and treatment plan than it did mine. So, I was just curious if the Lexercise report could help expedite a dyslexia dx.
Yes! The public school process takes a loooong time! Check out the graphic in Part 2 of this article that explains why.
https://www.lexercise.com/blog/public-schools-struggle-to-help-kids-with-dyslexia