Would love to hear opinions regarding Spencer Learning particularly for a tween with dyslexia or poor reader. It was suggested by a Reading Specialist because it allegedly would hold the interest of a tween. Please comment!

Any one try this program or have any feedback?

Well this IS such a mystery. Yes, she does have a vision issue (one is 20/20 other is weaker), has glasses and contacts, but not religious about wearing either one. She also was a slow reader. Also speech issue (no tubes or ear infections/literally only sick once in her life), I was the ONLY one who could understand her up until she was 5 ish; In fact when she was 24 months our nanny, taught her basic sign language. Had Speech Therapy, remedial reading. Very argumentative, stubborn. She scored a high average on PS, WMI a high above average, Low Average on PR and VC (23 point spread between WMI and VC & PR). Correction decoding was well below grade level, as was basic reading and reading comp, and spelling; visual/perceptual motor skills are below her age equivalent (9yrs v. 12yrs), she claims she is clumsy, but she can lead with either leg in the 100h and 300 hurdles, uses either leg to shoot out of the blocks, is often the top in cheerleading requiring balance for the stunts, qualifies for state in mid-distance races, and took up acrobatics and in less than 9 months took 4th place at a National meet. However, she scored way above grade level (at time of testing she was in 7th grade--12 grade second semester) in Math reasoning. She can read passages multiple times, but has a difficult time articulating the story in a sensical manner and it is out of sequence, with lots of junk words like "umm" and "so yeah" inserted instead of conveyed thoughts. We did start her on meds for ADD, but either the dosage is too low despite upping it twice, or it's not just ADD. I am considering Barton reading to run concurrently with school--read about it on another thread--so grateful for this forum. School has fumbled the ball when it comes to implementing her modifications (she went entire school year until school finally started to follow SOME parts of Plan 2 weeks ago), so this year has been awful for her. She was in Pre AP Math and Science, but teachers refused to modify her tests (chunking) because of departmental policy and transferred her to regular math which means she has lost the opportunity in our district to start Geometry when she enters 9th grade. She cried so badly because she prides herself on her math skills, literally asked "why are they kicking me out?" As a result of the school's failure to follow her Plan, she was ineligible in track for 2 of the only 4 meets the school participates in, and another ego blow. While I am pursuing that end, I also need to find that life boat for her educational needs. So Barton's most likely, but I just do not understand what I need to do to find her "learning style," to address her weaknesses and maintain her strengths. Ugh.:tongue_smilie:

@Kai, Yes, that is what I understand as well, although I see many of the dyslexic symptoms in my DD--not so much the inverted or transposed letters, but more of the problems with decoding, substituting a "known" word for an unknown even if it does not make sense in the sentence, comprehension issues, headaches when reading, re-telling a story is out of sequence and lots of "umms," in lieu of words, ambidextrous in sports (like using blocks in track and hurdling), history of dyslexia in the family, etc. Very puzzling.

This just breaks my heart. DD has a LD, and two older brothers who do not have an LD. Unfortunately, we live in a small burb, and she has all her brothers' former teachers who stupidly make comparisons. I've put a stop to it, but the damage is done. She has broken down crying several times stating, "I'm stupid, I'm not like them!" Plus, our district has LOTS of GT kids, so she would rather do poorly in school than receive a modification that her peers/friends might learn about. She is exceptional at sports (on a national level) so we keep her involved, and I always emphasize as many positive things with her as possible. I just hope she makes it through. Ugh. GLTY!

Thank you so much for replying! DD also has the achievement discrepancy! Well, the psychologist recommended "participation in a research based group for dyslexia." My DD just stumped her and she could not explain further. We are now seeking the school test DD, but I already fear they will not have any further insights since they typically hold a lesser license (I could be way off on this). Originally, we thought ADD since DD is VERY disorganized, distracted etc., but her focus during testing without meds was exceptional and her Processing Speed is a high average and I read that ADD have lower PS scores than ADHD and ADHD typically was below average---again I could be way off on this too. I just want to make sure the school captures ALL the necessary tests for Dyslexia and does not try to do minimal testing. Currently, they are proposing: Listening Comprehension and/or Intellectual Functioning Test; PHonological Awareness Test; Rapid Automatic Naming Test (alphabet knowledge and sequencing, letter names and letter sounds, word attack skills, word recognition, reading-passage comprehension, and fluency); and Spelling. Did you use a certain program to help your child?

Have you heard of audiblox? I am also looking for my 12 DD and ran across this. I am still researching to decide whether we will use it or not.

Talk to the counselor at your DS's school. Some years ago, my DS along with a few peers, were asked to eat lunch 3x a week at the Counselors office with another boy working on social skills. It was a great idea for all involved.

Hello, I am new to the board and read a similar thread, but the facts are reversed from our situation. My DD's Working Memory Index is 23 points higher than her Verbal Comprehension & Perceptual Reasoning scores. Psychologist noted she has an atypical neurological functioning that only 4.7% of sample demonstrated. What does this mean? Is this indicative of ADD and/or Dyslexia? Just tying to figure out what additional testing I should pursue for her?