Thoughts regardng OG training, programs, AAS, what to do next...

[momto3innc]

My 6.5 year old ds was diagnosed as severely dyslexic this August. We have a small private dyslexic school near us where he has gone all year, 4 days a week, for an hour a day. I have supplemented that with All About Spelling at home (we just finished level 1, starting level 2...he is farther ahead than that in his tutoring, but I've kept AAS behind as a good review/reminder).

He is doing GREAT...tremendous progress since the beginning of the year. He still has to work very hard and reading is far from easy but we're really pleased. We're also doing some vision therapy so I'm not sure where that fits into the equation. The problem? The reading tutoring is SO expensive. We just can't keep it up. We're committed to finishing this year, but have to look to move totally to doing it at home next year.

So my options in my head are:

1) Go to the 30 hour Orton Gillingham training and become certified, and use the materials they provide to kind of make my own curriculum, continuing with AAS as part of this.

2) Switch to Susan Barton's program. I like that it would provide extra training and be very complete. However, the order it goes it concerns me a little as he has done so much this year but not really in the order she goes it. For example he is great at silent E but she introduces that a lot later. I'd have to talk to them to really figure out what level he would go in on. (Also thought about the Wilson program but know less about that)

3) Just stick with AAS or maybe add in All About Reading since it will be out. I think by next year we would be on level 3 of AAS and we could just go slowly and steadily through that since he is already used to it.

 

Sorry this is so long...any thoughts or experience?

Thank you!!!

[Ottakee]

Here is a simple and MUCH cheaper option. Look at http://www.3rsplus.com or http://www.iseesam.com and get a set of books at his level. Even if you buy the complete program, it is less than $300 and you can sell the books at the end for at least 1/2 of that. You can see/print out the first 2 sets for free at http://www.prometheantrust.org/soundfoundationsbooks.htm'>http://www.prometheantrust.org/soundfoundationsbooks.htm'>http://www.prometheantrust.org/soundfoundationsbooks.htm'>http://www.prometheantrust.org/soundfoundationsbooks.htm

 

Then for spelling, look at Apples and Pears spelling from http://www.prometheantrust.org/soundfoundationsbooks.htm

 

There is a yahoo group called Beginning Reading Instruction that is full of free advice for using these reading books. I have a degree in special ed. and these were the ONLY things that got my girls reading. The reading should take 15-20 minutes 1-2 times a day and the spelling about 15-20 minutes a day.

[LizzyBee]

I use Barton Reading with my 9 yo and it is very effective and easy to use.

 

I don't think AAS would be enough for a severely dyslexic child.

 

If you're not a member of the Heart of Reading yahoo group, you might want to join. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeartofReading/

[LizzyBee]

The owner of the Heart of Reading group, who is also a member of this board, has some reviews on her blog that might be helpful.

 

http://seasonsoflearning.blogspot.com/2009/11/my-review-all-about-spelling.html

 

At the end of the linked post, there's a link to her comparison of Barton and Wilson.

[merry gardens]

My 6.5 year old ds was diagnosed as severely dyslexic this August. We have a small private dyslexic school near us where he has gone all year, 4 days a week, for an hour a day. I have supplemented that with All About Spelling at home (we just finished level 1, starting level 2...he is farther ahead than that in his tutoring, but I've kept AAS behind as a good review/reminder).

He is doing GREAT...tremendous progress since the beginning of the year. He still has to work very hard and reading is far from easy but we're really pleased. We're also doing some vision therapy so I'm not sure where that fits into the equation. The problem? The reading tutoring is SO expensive. We just can't keep it up. We're committed to finishing this year, but have to look to move totally to doing it at home next year.

So my options in my head are:

1) Go to the 30 hour Orton Gillingham training and become certified, and use the materials they provide to kind of make my own curriculum, continuing with AAS as part of this.

2) Switch to Susan Barton's program. I like that it would provide extra training and be very complete. However, the order it goes it concerns me a little as he has done so much this year but not really in the order she goes it. For example he is great at silent E but she introduces that a lot later. I'd have to talk to them to really figure out what level he would go in on. (Also thought about the Wilson program but know less about that)

3) Just stick with AAS or maybe add in All About Reading since it will be out. I think by next year we would be on level 3 of AAS and we could just go slowly and steadily through that since he is already used to it.

 

Sorry this is so long...any thoughts or experience?

Thank you!!!

I use Barton and am very pleased with it. I like the training coming in smaller doses, vs. a 30 hour training. That's my preference, but it might not be yours. :) Susan Barton has always been very prompt in replying to my calls and e-mails. If you are interested in her program, I suggest you contact her and determine how her program might fit in with what your child has already used.

[VinNY]

Here is a simple and MUCH cheaper option. Look at http://www.3rsplus.com or http://www.iseesam.com and get a set of books at his level. Even if you buy the complete program, it is less than $300 and you can sell the books at the end for at least 1/2 of that. You can see/print out the first 2 sets for free at http://www.prometheantrust.org/soundfoundationsbooks.htm'>http://www.prometheantrust.org/soundfoundationsbooks.htm'>http://www.prometheantrust.org/soundfoundationsbooks.htm'>http://www.prometheantrust.org/soundfoundationsbooks.htm

 

Then for spelling, look at Apples and Pears spelling from http://www.prometheantrust.org/soundfoundationsbooks.htm

 

There is a yahoo group called Beginning Reading Instruction that is full of free advice for using these reading books. I have a degree in special ed. and these were the ONLY things that got my girls reading. The reading should take 15-20 minutes 1-2 times a day and the spelling about 15-20 minutes a day.

 

 

My dtr has severe learning issues and these books have her up and reading. We are in AR1 Book 14 now. I also use Apples and Pears per Ottakee's suggestion and that is a wonderful program. We were going to use Barton, but my dtr didn't pass the screening test. I had to do LIPS first and have decided to keep with this program, tile work etc. I bought Recipe for Reading Manual for $25 at the O-G website because I wanted this as a resource. We have been using this everyday at a slow pace.

 

I know how expensive tutoring can get. I was offered resource room at the public school for help with reading and math. I took it because they are trained in Wilson Fundation and figured it couldn't hurt to have the extra review. good luck

v

[Dobela]

Another choice could be the Scottish Rite program for Dyslexics. My son's tutor used it and it is an amazing program. It is long established as one of the best programs available. If you go thru one of their clinics, it is free for the child and they will train parents for free. Your bar said you were in North Carolina so I did a search and found this:

 

-Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders, Comprehensive Clinic,Edwin Duncan Hall, Rm. 114,Boone, NC, 28608,828)262-2185

 

-Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders, 4740 Randolph Road,P.O. Box 221149,Charlotte, NC, 28222,704)365-0725

 

- Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders, East Carolina University,Dept. of Com Sciences,Greenville, NC, 27858-4353,919)328-4404

 

I don't know how far away any of those are, but I would serious recommend calling them to see if they can help. After Susan Barton said her program would not work for my son I was to go to Dallas for the training. That is until we found our tutor.

Edited February 9, 2011 by Dobela
made corrections.

[momto3innc]

Thanks for all the replies. I joined Heart of Reading last night and I'll look at the materials you all have mentioned.

 

I think it's just hard for me to decide because he has done SO well this year. I don't expect him to always make leaps and bounds progress, but I want him to continue to do well and I want to be wise in what I choose to do. Since we're not going to be continuing what IS working, I'm just having a hard time deciding what to do next.

 

One more question...are OG programs typically at homeschool conventions? I'll be going to the NC one in May. I've been in the past but not since ds had his diagnosis.

[PhunandFonics]

Jenny,

 

I have two severely dyslexic kids and we do everything at home. I would recommend that you look at the EPS website and their OG materials. SPIRE is something that would have a more traditional OG sequence and is user friendly. There is also PAF (Preventing Academic Failure) that has accompanying Stepping Up books. They also go along with the Explode the Code workbooks & Merrill Readers. They suggest the Merrill workbooks, but I've known others who have skipped those as too much busy work. They also have other options you can explore. Wilson, although not by EPS, is another excellent choice. It's not as popular because they don't offer support like Barton, but it is used by many OG schools. I have friends who have used Wilson quite successfully.

 

I have numerous OG materials on my shelves, but I don't use any one specific thing. I pull from a little of this and a little of that. If you don't have training, then a good program will be important to get you up to speed. I don't believe Barton is the only program that is usable by parents without training, but it is the easiest. If you are willing to dig and work hard then Wilson, SPIRE, or many others out there can work. But the key word is WORK.

 

Another resource I'll mention is Dynamic Phonics. I have not used this, but do have his Dynamic Roots and like it very much. The cost is quite reasonable and the feedback on the phonics program is good. http://www.dynamicphonics.com/index.htm

 

If you do decide to go it alone at home, my two favorite books that I refer to frequently are Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills by Judith Birsh and Everything You Want To Know & Exactly Where To Find It by William Van Cleave. You can get the Birsh book on Amazon and the Van Cleave book from http://vcedconsulting.com/index.php You can find other interesting things on website too.

 

Hopefully, something here will be helpful to you!