Above Joe Plummer, 13, uses his finger as he spells out a
letter combination in the air with instructor Lyn Sawicki
at The Reading Writing Connection.
The tutoring sessions are helping Joe overcome his dyslexia.
Most students sail through learning the alphabet. For some, though, there are stumbling blocks, like distinguishing a "d" from a "b."
"I always got them mixed up," said Joe Plummer, 13, who just finished seventh grade at Columbia Middle School.
Frustrated that his previous school didn't seem to offer the right help, Joe's mother pulled him out last year and transferred him to Columbia schools. That move and enrolling Joe in The Reading Writing Connection, 202 N. West Ave., in the spring have made a significant difference, said his mother, Chris Plummer of Clark Lake.
"I'm not getting the letters confused anymore, and it's way easier at school. All the stuff I tried to learn I couldn't understand. Now I'm finally out of it," Joe said.
Joe is among roughly 15 percent of the U.S. population who are dyslexic, a neurological condition that is often hereditary and interferes with processing language.
Teaching children and adults how to cope with this issue has been Nancy Naylor's passion for 25 years.
"I was a maverick back then when I went into the (Jackson Public) schools and talked about dyslexia. It was new and different," said Naylor, a partner with Bette Watkins in The Reading Writing Connection.
The two opened the nonprofit a year ago. They seek funding from several sources, the major ones being the Hurst and Weatherwax foundations. The cost is $41 an hour for instruction.
The Reading Writing Connection has 11 part-time tutors helping about 40 students. During the school year, tutors generally go to the child's school. In summer, students come to the center.
"It's not an overnight fix," Naylor said. "But within six to eight weeks you will see the first signs. Kids will start reading street signs for the first time and gradually they won't want to put down their book. There is no better job. You are talking about a kid's future."
Chris Plummer said the change in her son has been dramatic.
"In four months, Joe has increased two grade levels in reading. This is an unbelievable program, a different way of teaching, but a way their brain absorbs it. It makes sense to him," Plummer said.
Sara Benedetto of Jackson is equally gratified about the strides her daughter Tori, 8, has made after being tutored at The Reading Writing Connection.
"I don't know where we'd be without this support," Benedetto said. "We have three other children — none are dyslexic — and we have helped them read by sounding out words. With Tori we couldn't do that. They have tools they have given her, and they teach us as well."
Benedetto said parents wondering if their child needs extra help should first talk to their child's teacher.
"If the school can't help, keep pressing. You have to advocate for your child," she said.
About the condition
"I always got them mixed up," said Joe Plummer, 13, who just finished seventh grade at Columbia Middle School.
Frustrated that his previous school didn't seem to offer the right help, Joe's mother pulled him out last year and transferred him to Columbia schools. That move and enrolling Joe in The Reading Writing Connection, 202 N. West Ave., in the spring have made a significant difference, said his mother, Chris Plummer of Clark Lake.
"I'm not getting the letters confused anymore, and it's way easier at school. All the stuff I tried to learn I couldn't understand. Now I'm finally out of it," Joe said.
Joe is among roughly 15 percent of the U.S. population who are dyslexic, a neurological condition that is often hereditary and interferes with processing language.
Teaching children and adults how to cope with this issue has been Nancy Naylor's passion for 25 years.
"I was a maverick back then when I went into the (Jackson Public) schools and talked about dyslexia. It was new and different," said Naylor, a partner with Bette Watkins in The Reading Writing Connection.
The two opened the nonprofit a year ago. They seek funding from several sources, the major ones being the Hurst and Weatherwax foundations. The cost is $41 an hour for instruction.
The Reading Writing Connection has 11 part-time tutors helping about 40 students. During the school year, tutors generally go to the child's school. In summer, students come to the center.
"It's not an overnight fix," Naylor said. "But within six to eight weeks you will see the first signs. Kids will start reading street signs for the first time and gradually they won't want to put down their book. There is no better job. You are talking about a kid's future."
Chris Plummer said the change in her son has been dramatic.
"In four months, Joe has increased two grade levels in reading. This is an unbelievable program, a different way of teaching, but a way their brain absorbs it. It makes sense to him," Plummer said.
Sara Benedetto of Jackson is equally gratified about the strides her daughter Tori, 8, has made after being tutored at The Reading Writing Connection.
"I don't know where we'd be without this support," Benedetto said. "We have three other children — none are dyslexic — and we have helped them read by sounding out words. With Tori we couldn't do that. They have tools they have given her, and they teach us as well."
Benedetto said parents wondering if their child needs extra help should first talk to their child's teacher.
"If the school can't help, keep pressing. You have to advocate for your child," she said.
About the condition
- How to identify dyslexia: Poor spelling and unexpected difficulty learning to recognize written words are notable signs.
- Common indicators: Many with the condition have average to above intelligence; a delay in speaking; problems with reading, spelling and/or comprehension; problems storing information; problems with organizing, sequencing and retrieving information.
- Other warning signs: Left-handedness or ambidexterity, family history of dyslexia, allergies and attention deficit disorder.
1 comment:
Dyslexia is a neurological development disorder. The symptoms are clear but there is no proper medication found on it. It is also found in children. There are many big personalities also who suffers from dyslexia. Kinesis and Eurythmics has proved effective.
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