Spelling and dyslexia

[Pipsqueak4]

I need suggestions for my 11 year old dyslexic son- he reads at 9th grade level with almost perfect recall during narration and understands content but spells at 1rst grade level with phonics rules not sticking at all. I am hesitant to try a program with a lot of rule memorization as we have gone this route with a lot of frustration. He is an auditory learner if that helps narrow it down. I am interested in phonetic zoo because of the listening, but I think it may begin at too high a level? I don't know of others geared for this mixture of high reading and very low spelling level.

[Excelsior! Academy]

Welcome to the boards!  Phonetic Zoo is the way to go!  It may take many times to get through each lesson, but that is okay!!  Don't have an expected finish date, just do the next lesson when it's time.  You won't regret it.

[Pipsqueak4]

I am wondering if there are less expensive options for auditory style spelling? I am looking at phonetic zoo and it's pretty pricey!

[hornblower]

We used Apples & Pears. I saw the most consistent improvements using this program - after trying others, incl Phonetic Zoo. Fwiw, I found Phonetic Zoo too fiddly to implement. Apples & Pears is open & go. 

[Pipsqueak4]

Hmmm, I have Level A of Apples and Pears on the shelf. I may have to revisit it. When I first looked thru it, there didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to the particular choice of words for the lesson. I'll go back and look with fresh eyes:)

[Kat w]

Memorizing rules has so far been next to impossible .bbit we still work at it, I don't have as much concern spelling ( I know it's an important tool to be a good reader) but if they can , fir us, read and interpret , and implement well the information ?

For me I'm OK with not frustrating them more with spelling . they'll have spellcheck in college and as adult. They'll have it HS too. Heck, they have it now.

 

I've gone morwryping things when we can. They have to look for the letter or at least be trying to remember finder position that fir my boys , they are constantly saying it to remember if haha.

Guess that's where wm can benefit lol.

 

I kinda wanna try apples and pears

[MerryAtHope]

Have you looked at All About Spelling? That really helped my kids (my oldest was also 11 when we started). It's multisensory, so it combines visual, auditory, and kinesthetic methods. It does teach the rules (but one at a time so they can master them gradually), but doesn't focus just on those--it teaches 4 main effective spelling strategies: phonetic, rules-based, visual, and morphemic. Good spellers tend to need combine approaches, depending on the word.

 

You may also want to check out their Dyslexia Resources page. 

 

Hope you find something that is a good fit for your son!

[sarah bevis]

Hi, My son who is in the 11th grade now had and still has spelling difficulties. He used the phonetic zoo in middle school and liked the ease ofthe program. His spelling did improve without a lot of frustration. Best of luck.

[Tokyomarie]

I second Merry's suggestion for ​All About Spelling. ​It is structured and systematic. The big thing is to do lots of practice with individual words using the tiles and spelling single words from dictation. Then move to short phrases. And good amounts of review to keep concepts fresh.

 

Has your son had any assessment which might explain the wide discrepancy between his reading and spelling?

 

BTW- my son had a similar discrepancy. A structured, systematic approach with a highly qualified tutor who could adjust his program carefully made a big difference. He still does not spell well, but well enough that he is able to write via keyboard without slowing his thoughts down too much.  

Edited August 7, 2016 by Tokyomarie

[Terabith]

I like All About Spelling, but you say you've used rule based programs.  Honestly, you could be talking about my 11 year old.  Apples and Pears worked the best.  *I* liked AAS, and it was useful, but more for me than for Catherine, honestly.