Recommendations for Reading Programs/Dyslexia Programs

[anna114young]

Hi

I have been amazed over the last few days with the support I have received. My DS is really struggling with school (school refusal, feeling stupid) and the teachers aren't doing too much about it.

I have decided to try a reading program or something for dyslexia at home while I wait for a dyslexia assessment.

So far I have been recommended Toe By Toe but I would love to know all your recommendations so I can have a look at all and decide what will work best for DS. He is a typical boy who loves games, sport and anything gross haha. So something that won't be boring for him would be a big help!

Reading eggs helped my dd, it's quite vast so depends which part someone went too.

Ie you read, do comp, spellings.

I signed up to reading chest to keep school book scheme going, went back over high frequency words, worked on different ways to get dd to start to learn to spell, visual aids, mnemonic stuff ie should, would... Oh u lucky duck or brought... Oh u grumpy hippo...

All came together in lock down.

CaitF that's very common eg elephant is another words, it's so distinctive it stands out.

Reading eggs. It's all game based and is suitable for up to 12 years (I think).

I know some people love Reading Eggs and I'm sure the activities are lots of fun but the program content is extremely poor and actively reinforces poor strategies.

@Norestformrz thats really interesting - I definitely don't want to reinforce poor strategies!

For older kids, OnTrack might have some tools that won't hit the 'for babies' button. I found the workbook helpful with DS1 when he was about 9.

Online, I've heard great things about Phonics [[https://spencerlearning.com/]]. I've only used a few of their free PDFs as I just wanted to supplement, but it was all very well laid out, nothing that left mine feeling babied, and they have products up to adult literacy. I think they have an app now.

I completely screwed up that link. For Ultimate Phonics: spencerlearning.com/

www.theguardian.com/news/2020/sep/17/battle-over-dyslexia-warwickshire-staffordshire?utm_source=pocket-newtab-global-en-GB

Interesting article and even mentions mumset by a particularly scathing Ed psych!

Reading eggs does exactly the same comp - as anywhere else - how is that bad strategy? Also does work sheets to back up the sounds eg oa sounds - oats boats etc with pictures....

I am not an expert on it - but I would be interested to know exactly what it does wrong - Reading eggs for a few mins a day - along with daily reading really helped to get DD going.

https://www.spelfabet.com.au/2020/07/is-reading-eggs-all-its-cracked-up-to-be-boom-tish/ Alison mentions a few of the many flaws in her blog ...

@Norestformrz that's really interesting - thanks for sharing!

I've come across a program called Easyread that looks really interesting! (Actually the fb ad just popped up coincidentally- lucky for me!) Has anyone found it helpful for their kid or heard any good things about it? it seems promising tbh... lots of talk of guessing short words which fits my DD perfectly !

@CaitF I have just started a free trial and so far so good! DS loves the games - I dont think he has realised it's helping him to read! I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes!

Have you tried Dyslexia Gold? We use it for DS who is dyslexic (10yrs). There are several sections, reading, spelling, times tables. It’s easy for them to use on their own and DS seems to like it, the improvement have been noticeable.

Hey everyone - positive update from me!

So I came across Easyread - they had a free 10 lesson trial so I thought it was worth a go.

DS has LOVED IT! I can't express my joy at seeing him actually wanting to do something to do with reading. He actually asks ME if he can do his lessons! Theres lots of games like paintball and pinball which he loves.

It's because of this enjoyment and the fact he is actually engaging with the course that I have signed up to the full program. Fingers crossed this really helps his reading.

Just putting this here as I am sure I am not the only mum who has had a problem finding engaging reading programs for ds! Will update to let you all know how we get on!!!!

@CaitF did you end up giving Easyread a go? We are on our fourth week now and it's been amazing!

My DS age 8 loved Nessy - they did a lockdown deal which included three of their packages for three months and it was brilliant. Included Yeti Mountain which gives you an idea of likelihood of dyslexia. Really interesting.

@thisislovelyme did she make progress? Did you find out if she was dyslexic? So far, so good with Easyread so I think I will stick with the one program otherwise its going to get confusing but if I need something in future I will keep it in mind!

@anna114young oooh, i'm glad that easyread has been working out! I keep meaning to sign up but then i forget- classic mum brain!!

how have you found it in terms of helping with guessing? that's really my priority for DD. Also, how does the free trial work- do they just leave you to it or do you get explanations for how it all works as part of the free trial? TIA!

@CaitF hey! DS is definitely starting to guess less now - which is a miracle in itself haha. I think because it teaches him a strategy to use when he doesn't know a word (if that makes sense!) so he doesn't need to guess.

The free trial was really good, because I had my doubts having tried other things in the past. So it is 10 lessons and at the end of the 10 lessons I had a call from someone to check how it was all going etc and to check that ds was a good fit for the course and we understood everything etc.

We have a zoom lesson with them in a couple of weeks which is cool!

@anna114young ah wow so you actually get to do a lesson with one of the specialists? that sounds good! going to try and remember to get DD signed up to that free trial ASAP then! Lol! will update the thread with how we find it!

Yep! I've booked in for an session after school in a couple of weeks. Really looking forward to it actually!

Hope your trial goes well!!

Hello all, thought i would do a quick update since i just remembered this thread existed!! Recently completed the 10 day trial of Easyread with DD, and it was such an instant transformation that I didn't hesitate to sign up for the full program!!!

She is much happier and more relaxed about reading in the lessons than she ever has been, and I am already seeing it making changes in the way she thinks/sounds out words! Very excited to see how she progresses.

Wondering if there are any other parents who would be keen on starting a thread for Easyreaders, since parental involvement seems to be such a big part of it?! Would be nice to be able to chat about how things are going etc !

@CaitF I'd be keen for that! We had our zoom lesson today - they were so supportive and ds really enjoyed the experience. I am SO glad I found Easyread. I am so happy to hear dd is doing well on it and I hope you enjoy the zoom lesson too! Ours happened a few weeks after signing up.