Can anyone recommend a book about dyslexia?

[MadameFod]

My son has recently been screened and is showing many signs of dyslexia. He is year 2 and I want to find out more and how I can support him. can anyone recommend a good book?

Thanks

[AimHigh100]

The Gift of Dyslexia
This'd be a good start. There are very many books on dyslexia I'd recommend (I'm a dyslexia assessor). I suggest you borrow them from the library.
There are also some helpful general intros. / overviews as well as research reports online such as: www.parentchampions.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/UnderstandingDyslexia.pdf

If your child is aged 11-16: www.parentchampions.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/parentDyslexiaSecondaryBook-v2.pdf

Another book I often recommend as an intro. for parents to read is: Dyslexia: A Parents' Survival Guide www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1869866134/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awd_1As0wbKWXYJXZ?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[mrz]

eida.org/louisa-moats-debunks-five-popular-myths-about-dyslexia/ from the international dyslexia ass

[mrz]

Dyslexia is not a gift. eida.org/louisa-moats-debunks-five-popular-myths-about-dyslexia/

"Let’s start with the claim that dyslexia – whether mild, moderate, or severe – is a “gift”. This assertion appears grounded in the observation that some people who have trouble learning to read, write, spell or use language become very successful in life. People who have real trouble remembering printed words are said to “see things differently” or have special cognitive powers. Our best science indicates, however, problem-solving and creative abilities are not more dominate because a person has dyslexia. People with dyslexia may be very good at mechanical problem solving, graphic arts, spatial navigation, athletics, or abstract reasoning – or they may not be.

People who succeed in spite of their academic learning difficulties are a marvel – but their talents exist separate from, not because of, their language-based reading, spelling, or writing problems. Those who experience dyslexia often experience anxiety and other affective challenges. We should not assert that dyslexia and giftedness go hand in hand, or that students are better off because they are afflicted with this condition."

[AimHigh100]

Mrs, although I agree first hand that having dyslexia cannot be whitewashed as a wholly positive advantage, yours is rather a cynical view of the book. The content of the book is sound and has been useful to many, giving a parent much insight into how their child's mind works. Have a look at the reviews - many have found it very helpful indeed.

Obviously, each child with or without dyslexia
is an individual and has a varying profile of strengths and weaknesses. However, I'd not 'debunk' the book without seeing what it has to offer to a parent first.

I'd rather stay out of debates and offer suggestions of what other parents have found to be helpful and insightful. Have a read of the book reviews first and borrow from a library so that you've not committed yourself financially to the hope that 'these might hit the spot'.

Dyslexia comes with significant challenges. Of course it does! There are often co-morbidities, too (ADHD, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, autism, hypermobility, etc.). However, so much can be done to overcome the most difficult aspects of each with the right understanding, a positive attitude and good direction in how to support an individual's challenges.

[mrz]

As a parent I bought the book in 1997 ...it gave me an attention grabbing title and not much more.

[mrz]

<a class="break-all" href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/00659-2009DOM-EN.pdf" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/00659-2009DOM-EN.pdf

[AimHigh100]

Views vary. Most are excellent. I always read the reviews of any book before I buy, or better still, borrow it from the library/ on my Kobo.

[mrz]

I prefer to read the evidence for or against such claims. The evidence discredits Davis and his program.

[mrz]

Good advice from Prof D Bishop

Warning signs to look out for : If the intervention was developed by someone who has no academic track record (no experience of doing research or hasn't published anything in this field) and it hasn't been endorsed by people in the mainstream dyslexia field that should sound a note of caution. Mainstream people aren't always right but if something is developed outside of the mainstream then you would expect mainstream academics to pick it up pretty quickly as people in the mainstream are keen to find things that will work. It is important to look at whether someone is asking for a lot of money for something that hasn't been proven. Another worrying sign is if the person promoting a treatment is relying heavily on testimonials (from individuals who claim to have been cured) rather than having any proper scientific evaluation. Human beings can be persuaded by testimonials but in the context of these interventions this can be quite dangerous. When somebody gives a testimonial that is just one person and the people you don't hear from are those who tried it and it didn't work. Testimonials can often be at odds with more scientific evaluations.

[AimHigh100]

Oh for goodness sake, Mrz. We aren't doing research projects on this stuff. I'm responding to a parent asking which books parents have found useful and insightful. Many books that 'hit home' are not founded on statistical evidence.

It seems to me that you often pop up on any question regarding phonics and dyslexia and simply don't like others who are experienced to offer suggestions.

If your aim is to dominate as The Expert, I'd ask what your own credentials are - rather than for your critique on those helpful suggestions of others.

I've heard from others that you create debates in place of offering valued and constructive suggestions if anyone else offers advice that you don't agree with. I don't find this in the spirit of things. People who ask questions such as 'does anyone know of books that have been insightful or helpful to a parent whose child has recently been diagnosed with dyslexia' do not want to invite a debate. Neither do people trying to offer suggestions they/ others have found helpful.

It's absolutely wonderful to offer alternative suggestions, but to come down like a tonne of bricks and critique others' ideas without offering useful alternatives really isn't helpful to the poster.

[mrz]

No it seems we are selling snake oil

[AimHigh100]

That's your opinion. And what do you have to say about the other resources I recommended? Do you have any other recommendations for the poster?

No one is 'selling' anything. The book holds no promises and wasn't suggested in that light. It's merely one of many popular options available as a helpful insight parents of dyslexic pupils have found to be great.

[mrz]

Davis gives his book and program away for nothing?

[maizieD]

It's absolutely wonderful to offer alternative suggestions, but to come down like a tonne of bricks and critique others' ideas without offering useful alternatives really isn't helpful to the poster.

In which case I'd strongly suggest that the OP takes a good look at the child's initial reading instruction; was it good, rigorous, systematic phonics for word ID or was it a mix of 'strategies' such as using picture cues & semantic information? Were HFWs taught as whole words or by decoding & blending? These methods tend to confuse a significant number of children and produce behaviours which teachers interpret as 'dyslexic'. It's really as well to check out simple basic stuff like this, which can be easily remedied, before getting involved in anything further.

I'd also suggest reading 'The Dyslexia Debate', Elliot & Grigerenko, which very thoroughly examines the scientific evidence.

I'm afraid that, as dyslexia is supposed to be a scientific concept, 'ideas' about its diagnosis and management aren't really good enough.