A mom in our support group asked, "I’ve noticed my daughter’s writing letters backwards, I thought that was a normal thing for kids to do from time to time, but then I noticed her writing her name backwards. So, when do we become concerned that this isn’t normal instead something is wrong. 
Now that I have moved on to the sight words, I have noticed ¾’s way through she starts saying them backwards. For example; ‘new’ was read as ‘wen’, ‘out’ was read as ‘tuo’, ‘what’ she began to sound out ‘ta’. Shortly I realized the pattern, so I stopped and tried from where she started struggling, and she got them all right. Is she one of those who experience dyslexia? As I see such reversed letters. The question arises, seeming its intermittent, ‘How does dyslexia work?"
 
Unfortunately, not a lot of research has been done on the subject. Many children reverse or flip letters, numbers and even short words, like my daughter is doing, around the ages of five to seven years old. Many kids outgrow reversing as they become better readers and more proficient at writing. By eight, most children have mastered directions in both reading and writing that they previously found confusing. Common areas of difficulty are letters b and d, p and q and the numbers 2, 5, 6 and 9.
 
Letter reversals are, mostly, due to a weak memory or lack of enough previous experiences.  Do not wait to see if it is a problem for your child instead take a step to help your child with their letter reversals from an early age, especially if you have noticed other learning disabilities or such traits in siblings too.
 
Here are some exercises that can help:

1. Use multi sensory approaches, which means engage more than one of  your child's senses at a time (taste, smell, touch, sight, hearing and movement).
2. Work on only one letter or number at a time. When you find your child is having less difficulty with that number or letter, you can move on to the next. Do not teach two letters simultaneously, it just leads to confusion. 
3. Use a mirror while saying the sounds aloud, it would help children see the difference between the two sounds. 
4. Show your child the difference between letters. For example; The ‘letter b’ starts as a straight line which is also how you hold your mouth when about to say the sound. On the other hand, the ‘letter d’ in contrast starts at 2 o'clock and then curves anti-clockwise into a circle before making a tall straight line up then down to the line to finish.
5. Use hand motions and give child a mental trigger to remember: Dog starts with a d and they have a tail. Balloons start with b and go up in the air (if they are helium balloons).  
6. Provide child memory links or triggers such as ‘bed’. 
7. Trace letters on paper.  When tracing letters, have a related picture to accompany the letters.
8. Sky-writing (write in the air) or make children write in something like sand or salt. 

​
Some Current Research Findings:
However, a 2016 study published in the 'Frontiers in Human Neuroscience' rejected the claim that reversals of letters and letter sequences are caused by phonological deficits. Instead, the study found that visual movement can detect dyslexia early on and could be used in successful treatment to prevent children from not being able to readily learn.

What Can You Do?
Most teachers have discovered that there's no magical cure for children who display reversals in their reading or writing. Some of the best strategies to use include:

1. Help the child develop a habit. For instance, the word dog begins with a d and they have tails. Therefore the 'stick' is his tail and comes after his body.
2. Use some connect-the-dot letters to help the child. There should be pictures to accommodate the dot letters.
3. When working on the dot letter for the letter d, make sure the picture of a dog accompanies the dot letters.
4. If the child has a freckle or mole on one hand or the other, use that freckle to remind him/her that it always points to the stick/circle part of the letter. The good news is that most of the letter reversals will go away once the child starts using cursive writing.

​          You can buy helpful material for your child HERE.  
References
https://www.thoughtco.com/students-letter-reversals-3111350
https://thisreadingmama.com/multi-sensory-activities-teaching-reading/
 

Hidden Gems – Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pepe
Hidden Gems is a series of posts on great colleges that may not be on a typical family’s radar.
“To find a life changing college you must pay attention to how a college educates its undergraduates.” – Loren Pope, author of Colleges That Change Lives.
In 1996, Loren Pope, the former editor of the New York Times Education section, wrote a little book called Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL). It featured 40 schools that offer more than just an education. With small personal classes taught by professors, close relationships between professors and students, and a strong liberal arts education, the CTCL schools offer students one-on-one attention and flexible educations. Many of these colleges admit a large percentage of applicants, yet turn out a great number of students who go on to pursue and complete PhDs, attend medical school or law school, or win Fulbright scholarships.

A factor that was important to Pope was selectivity: some of these schools admit B and C level students. They are welcoming to students with learning disabilities, late bloomers, and nontraditional students (such as homeschoolers). The schools on the CTCL list take students who need a more personal touch and turn them into graduates with the same knowledge and abilities as students from the Ivy Leagues.

The National Science Foundation regularly conducts a survey of those who complete PhD programs in a variety of disciplines; one question it asks is where students received their bachelor’s degree. This allows us to compare the CTCL schools to more prestigious ones, such as Ivy League and University of California universities.  The results are surprising. Many of the schools on Pope’s list rank just as high or higher than their Ivy League counterparts (and most consistently outpace the few UCs that even make the list). Students from the Colleges That Change Lives show remarkable academic abilities even though they might not have had those abilities when they entered as freshman.
The National Science Foundation ranks institutions by the percentage of students who go on to complete a PhD. Click HERE to compare the CTCL to more selective institutions, such as Stanford, the Ivy Leagues, and the UCs.

Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington
The goal is not to just get into college; the real prize is what you have once you’ve finished your degree. The schools on the CTCL list offer their students more than just a degree at the end of four years: they offer a truly life changing experience.

Take a moment to look at the CTCL website. The Colleges that Change Lives Tour will be coming to California at the end of the month, so make sure to check it out while it's here!
​
Marlboro College, Vermont
If your child wants to attend a highly competitive college, they need to jump through all the same hoops as public school students, and possibly a few extra. Still, there a plenty of schools that offer excellent educational opportunities, but will not require test scores. There are many colleges that are now actively seeking homeschooled applicants, because they know they are motivated to take charge of their learning.
At the time of this research, my daughter had a specific goal (which has since changed), so I was searching for schools with strong liberal arts and humanities programs. Additionally, we were looking for a smaller school in a traditional setting on the East Coast, and this list reflects that preference.
The following schools are very open to accepting homeschooled students. Many are actively recruiting self-directed learners because they have a strong sense of what these students have to offer.  Some are test optional (do not require SAT / ACT scores for admittance) and many will do a portfolio review instead of requiring a traditional transcript.
Several colleges on this list are also open curriculum colleges. Traditional colleges and universities require 1-2 years of core curriculum requirements before students can move on to study in depth in their area of interest. These schools don’t have that requirement, so they may be more attractive to your self-directed learner, or a student who knows exactly what they want to study and wants to dive in immediately.

College of the Atlantic
Located in Bar Harbor, Maine, COA is on the Atlantic,  a mile away from Acadia National Park. COA offers unique opportunities for students interested in marine biology and ecology, including field work utilizing their location.  They are actively looking for homeschooled students because they believe their school and program is a great fit for motivated, self-directed learners. Students can choose their course of study with flexibility and a minimum of core requirements.

Marlboro College
Located in Vermont, 10% of incoming freshmen are from  a homeschooling background. Their website calls Marlboro “the perfect place for self-directed learners that work best in an intimate educational setting… Just like Marlboro students, homeschool students understand the power of letting one’s deepest interests govern one’s studies.” (pictured above)

Goddard College
Located in Vermont, the admissions team wants to know “how life experience has shaped you as a learner.” They offer a low residency program in addition to a traditional semester program. Students design their course of study, with the help of advisors. From their website: “Goddard is a one-of-a-kind institution of higher education with a history of creativity and chaos, invention and experimentation, of growth, decline and reemergence. It is an institution that has survived with integrity and adherence to its founding values.” These are the three key principles that guide the Goddard experience:

• The most fundamental fact of life is change.
• People learn only what they inwardly accept.
• Education is a moral concern.

Sarah Lawrence College
Located in Bronxville, New York, about 20 miles outside of NYC. Sarah Lawrence was one of the first colleges in the U.S. to adopt a test optional policy more than 10 years ago. They remain committed to a holistic approach to evaluating applicants.  Students can create a custom learning plan which can be as interdisciplinary as a student desires. Classes are small,  based on round-table seminar discussions. Close collaboration with faculty on independent writing and research is standard. The school known for it’s many creative graduates, such as Vera Wang, Juliana Marguilies, author Alice walker and writer /  director JJ Abrams.

Hampshire College
Located in Amherst, Mass, Hampshire is part of the Amherst 5,  a group of colleges that share resources. Hampshire is on track to become the first U.S. residential college to obtain all of their electricity from on-site solar. From their mission statement: “At Hampshire, your education focuses on personalized, independent work, close collaboration with faculty, and the belief that the questions that drive you should drive your education.” Hampshire encourages students to take responsibility for their education by designing their curriculum and moving beyond the boundaries of disciplines and departments.

Goucher College, MD
Located minutes from downtown Baltimore,  Goucher offers a highly individualized application process and allows applicants a choice in how they apply. Students can choose to use the common application, or submit a video application. Goucher is test optional and was among the first in the country to introduce independent study, field work,  accelerated college programs, and individualized majors “Goucher College is a selective, private, coed, liberal arts college dedicated to providing a multidisciplinary, international education, and it is the first college in the nation to make study abroad an undergraduate degree requirement.”
 
Bard College
Located in rural New York, Bard College offers an alternative to the traditional application process.  If your unschooled / homeschool student is a strong writer and not interested in taking standardized tests to prove their “worth” (and what, really do they prove?), this may be an option to consider.
 Students can apply using the standard common application, or choose to gain admission through writing a series of essays. Via the Bard College website: “From human rights to physics and studio arts to experimental humanities, Bard students construct individualized educational programs with faculty who are at the top of their fields.”
There are so many incredible options available to homeschooled students who wish to continue their education and earn a degree. If your student chooses to take the required standardized tests and apply to a more traditional college, the options are even greater.  According to HSLDA, “statistics demonstrate that homeschoolers tend to score above the national average on both their SAT and ACT scores.”   Homeschooling works! And if you are concerned that your student won’t be able to handle the social and academic pressures of college, take a deep breath. Maybe take another. All statistics imply that your student will be up for the challenge. For example, a Bob Jones University study found that college freshmen who had completed their entire high school education in a homeschool had a “slightly higher overall . . . critical thinking score” than students educated in public or private schools.

Bennington College, Vermont
Bennington offers students a personalized education, driven by the student utilizing what they call The Plan Process. Through this process, students explore and learn to define what they want to study and why, how their different paths of study relate to each other and how it will impact their overall educational path. Students are well supported throughout the processes by faculty and advisers.
They offer an alternative application, called The Dimensional Application, which provides an opportunity for applicants to share a complete look at their high school work and accomplishments.
“We invite you to share with us a collection of your work that speaks to these capacities and creates a portrait of what you bring to the Bennington community.”
Bennington, Vermont is in the south west corner of Vermont, not far from the NY and Massachusetts border.

The library building at Evergreen State College
Evergreen goes beyond formal majors and allows students to design their course of study. There are no required core courses that must be completed to obtain your degree. Additionally, they encourage a non-competitive environment and believe narrative evaluations are more valuable than grades. Students will receive a detailed, constructive evaluation of their work. and meet with faculty to discuss the evaluations before it is entered on their transcript.
Evergreen does require SAT or ACT test scores from homeschooled students.
Bonus! Evergreen is affordable. Tuition is currently $8,000 for state residents and $22,000 for out of state students, making it one of the most cost effective schools on this list.

St. John’s College, Maryland
If your homeschooler is coming from a literature based or classical program, St. John’s could be an excellent fit. It’s a small liberal arts colleges with academic programs based on the study of the most important books.
The application process is standard here. Although most students do not need to submit test results, homeschooled applicants are required to submit either SAT or ACT scores.
*Note: St.John’s does not offer an open curriculum, but would be ideal for a student with a strong interest in humanities, history and writing. Small, discussion based classes are standard and students focus their efforts on refining their skills in writing, reading, communication and critical thinking.
From their website:
“Through close engagement with the works of some of the world’s greatest writers and thinkers—from Homer, Plato, and Euclid to Nietzsche, Einstein, and Woolf—students at St. John’s College grapple with fundamental questions that confront us as human beings.”

Clarkson University
Clarkson University is a top-rated university for ambitious and highly motivated students. It is located in upstate New York, near the Canadian border.
Clarkson’s areas of excellence include biotechnology, advanced materials, environment and energy and entrepreneurship. If your student is interested in the sciences, medicine, occupational or physical therapy, technology or psychology, Clarkson is worth a closer look. They offer an ivy league level education (according to a variety of sources) but admissions for highly qualified students is attainable. They also offer an Unconventional Application, as an option to the common application. Clarkson’s homeschool application instructions can be found here.
The Clarkson School operates within and as a part of Clarkson University. It is an early college option ideal for homeschoolers who are ready for college level work. Students complete their freshman year in college and senior year in high school simultaneously. Clarkson is very open to viewing applicants from homeschooled and alternative backgrounds and actively recruits homeschoolers for this program. Standardized tests are expected with your application.
In the news: Clarkson’s entrepreneurship program was ranked in the top 20 by Princeton Review

Quest University British, Columbia, Canada
Quest University is an independent, non-profit secular university. Academic schedules are on a block plan, where students focus completely on one subject at a time, for 3 and a half week sessions. Following their core program (two years), students design their area of concentration with the help of their adviser and faculty.
The University was founded in 2002, and is a small but highly diverse cultural community with a high rate of international students. Study abroad opportunities abound in this globally minded community.

 Wayfinding Academy, Portland, Oregon
This school offers a truly unique and alternative college experience. It offers personal, community driven education, sending students out into the community to apprentice, intern and work along side a professional in a chosen fields as a core part of their education. Core values include creative conflict resolution, socratic questioning, and integrity.
Please note: Wayfinding is a new institution, with it’s first classes expected to begin in January 2016.

Connecticut College, New London, CT
This small liberal arts college encourages applicants to submit a portfolio along with their traditional application, in order to share a full picture of how they have spent their high school years. Connecticut College does not require test scores be submitted. In fact, if you feel that your test scores do not reflect your capabilities accurately, they discourage you from submitting them. It is ranked in the top 50 Liberal Arts Colleges.
If you have a student considering a career in law or medicine:
In recent years, the acceptance rate for our seniors applying to law school and graduate programs in the health professions is about 80 percent. via CC

University of New Hampshire
UNH values the unique perspective that homeschooled students bring to the classroom and the college community. All applications are looked at holistically.  UNH is a competitive school, so applicants should have a rigorous high school academic background.  All students applying to UNH are required to submit test scores. To view their guidelines for homeschool applicants,see their website.
​
University of Dallas, Texas
The University of Dallas is a Catholic University with a traditional approach to higher education. They are homeschool friendly, and have specific application instructions for accredited homeschool students, as well as instructions for non-accredited homeschooolers and self-directed students.
Learn more about their requirements and offerings here.
 
Sterling College, Craftsbury Common, Vermont  
The only work/learning/service college in New England, Sterling clearly offers a unique college experience. Located in the Green Mountains, in the north eastern section of Vermont, it is a great choice for a student who loves the outdoors, is interesting in sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation or education. It is a small school, and students can create (with help from faculty) a custom major of study. They actively seek out homeschoolers and self-directed, self-motivated students.
Sterling has been named one of BestColleges.com’s “Greenest Colleges and Universities,” and has received the Special Achievement Award in Food from Sierra magazine. It is #1 in the nation for serving food that is local, humane, sustainable and fair trade.
From the website: “Sterling College removes the barriers between living one’s life and learning. If your values lead you to commit to becoming an environmental steward and you want the rigor and challenge of working with both your hands and your mind, then Sterling College is the right place for you.”
The admissions process is a highly individualized process, characterized by a personal approach. Home-schooled students may submit a portfolio of educational and life experiences. The portfolio should include detailed information about coursework and accomplishments. Submission of test scores is optional.
Learn more about Sterling here.

Shimer College, Chicago, IL
Shimer is one of the few Great Books Colleges. Homeschoolers who follow a Classical or Charlotte Mason  path will greatly appreciate the educational approach at Shimer.  Shimer enrolls only 150 students, and you won’t find more than 12 students in a class.  Using great books as their core curriculum, students at Shimer will never crack a text book or take a multiple choice quiz. All classes are discussion based.
Additionally, the community at Shimer is self-governing, where “Every voice is heard, all beliefs respected.” Although Shimer’s is small, it shares a campus with Illinois Institute of Technology and shares resources.
Shimer allows applicants to apply year-round. Test scores aren’t necessary, but you can submit them if you choose. They want to know who you are. Your story is very important to them and an interview is essential. If your student is interested in getting an early start of college, Shimer’s early entrant option is worth a closer look.
Discussion based, small classes and an emphasis on critical thinking, writing and learning to communicate clearly are what make this program stand out. These are essential life skills that will serve your student well in every aspect of their lives.  Learn more about Shimer College here.

Hillsdale College, Michigan
A private liberal arts college, Hillsdale is ranked #31 inKiplinger’s Best Value Colleges, #16 in the Princeton Review’sassessment of Happiest Studentsand  #34 in Forbes’ Top Colleges in the Midwest.
Hillsdale offers a wide range of academic majors, including pre-law, pre-med, pre-vet and pre-dentistry. Hillsdale has a required core curriculum of 8 courses, to be completed over the first two years of enrollment.
Detailed information about the application process can be found here. There are additional application requirements for homeschoolers.
*While exploring their website, I discovered that they offer a free course: An Introduction to C.S. Lewis. Trying out a course is a great way to get a feel for their academic approach.
Hillsdale college is very homeschool friendly. Not so much self directed, but very much in the Great Books, Well Trained Mind tradition  -Libby
 
Gutenberg College, Eugene, OR
A private Christian college, Gutenberg offers discussion based classes, with an emphasis on learning how to think, not what to think. Students study the great books, in classes of 12 students or less.
Gutenberg aggressively seeks students with a homeschool education because they find they are out of the box thinkers, and likely to embrace Gutenberg’s alternative learning environment. In order to be eligible for admission, homeschooled students must have a combined SAT score of 900 or higher, as well as having accomplished the equivalent of a college prep high school program.
They offer one B.A. degree in the Liberal Arts. Many of the students come from a homeschooled background (as I did!) – Karina
From their website:
The prospective student must be mature and ready to interact with the deeply personal Gutenberg College program. In the course of reading the Great Books, students struggle with and work through serious and personal questions that lead to profound introspection and outward reflection.

Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana
One in five students at Grace College comes from a homeschooling background. It is a small private Christian college, located on 180 acres in the resort town of Winona Lake.
In addition to their 4 year degree programs, Grace offers accelerated degree programs such as a BA in 3 years and a BA/MA in 4 years. Grace College also offers a unique opportunity for homeschooled juniors and seniors through their JumpStart program.
 Grace College… is very amicable toward home schooled students. The faculty there is very good with students as they are interested in the whole student, not just the academic side of college life.  -Cheryl

Centenary College,  Hacketstown, New Jersey
Centenary College makes it clear that they understand what homeschoolers want: a personalized education, the ability to pursue their passion in their Freshman year and the opportunity to relate learning to real life in a safe and supportive environment.
They offer small classes, hand-on experiences and one on one interaction with professors to help students achieve their goals. Learn more here.
 
Centenary College in NJ has a homeschool to college transition program. Clearly they are actively recruiting homeschoolers.  – Jenn
 
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana
Rose-Hulman  is a small, private college specializing in math, engineering and technology and a personal approach to education. The school is  “ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report among institutions whose highest degree in engineering is the master’s. With 99% placement, the school is ranked in the Payscale top 10 for starting salaries,” according to their website.
To be considered for admission, SAT or ACT scores are required, with a minimum score of 1050 combined on the SAT or ACT 21 English/24 Math. Detailed information regarding admissions requirements can be found here.
It’s an exceptional private engineering school.They made it very clear that they welcome homeschooled students and that the ones that have attended have been very successful.-Bonnye

Arcadia University, Pennsylvania
 Located a short distance outside of Philadelphia, Arcadia University offers a wide range of academic programs, including extensive offerings in the health sciences such as pre-physical therapy, physician assistant, and dual degrees in counseling.
Arcadia offers a close-knit community and a faculty that will work one-on-one with students to help them reach their long term goals. Application requirements  for homeschooled students include standardized test scores, but AP, SAT II and CLEP test are optional. Detailed guidelines for applying can be found here.

References
List of 180 that do not require SAT or ACT 
Copied from http://homeschoolcollegeexplorations.com/blog/hidden-gems-colleges-that-change-lives 
​Copied from: http://amylandisman.com/

written by Tami O

Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, (also referred to as Irlen Syndrome and Visual Stress) is a perceptual processing disorder. It is not an optical problem. It is a problem with the brain’s ability to process visual information. This problem tends to run in families and is not currently identified by other standardized educational or medical tests.
Scotopic Sensitivity Self-Test
If you answer yes to 3 or more of the following questions, your child may benefit from Irlen Spectral Filters or using overlays at school.  To learn more schedule a consultation.

• Poor eye contact?
• Difficulty  interpreting facial expressions?
• Look in short glances?
• Look away from visual targets?
• Squint or look down?
• Sideways glace?
• Rub or push on eyes?
• Bothered by lights or patterns?
• Have poor social interaction?
• Prefer shade to direct sunlight?
• Have poor spatial or body awareness?
• Appear sensitive to light?
• Appear clumsy or bump into things?
• Have difficulty catching a ball?
• Fascinated by visual patterns?
• Have behavioral difficulties?
• Have academic difficulties?
• Problem with reading and copying?
• Poor gross and/or small motor skills?

Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome Affects:

• Academic and work performance
• Behavior
• Attention
• Ability to sit still
• Concentration

This problem can manifest itself differently for each individual. This problem is not remediable and is often a lifetime barrier to learning and performance. If you suffer from any of the following, Irlen Syndrome might be your problem:

• Print looks different
• Environment looks different
• Slow or inefficient reading
• Poor comprehension
• Eye strain
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Difficulty with math computation
• Difficulty copying
• Difficulty reading music
• Poor sports performance
• Poor depth-perception
• Low motivation
• Low self-esteem

Symptoms of Scotopic Sensitivity
Light Sensitivity:

• Bothered by glare, fluorescent lights, bright lights, sunlight and sometimes lights at night
• Some individuals experience physical symptoms and feel tired, sleepy, dizzy, anxious, or irritable. Others experience headaches, mood changes, restlessness or have difficulty staying focused, especially with bright or fluorescent lights.

Reading Problems:

• Poor comprehension
• Misreads words
• Problems tracking from line to line
• Reads in dim light
• Skips words or lines
• Reads slowly or hesitantly
• Takes breaks
• Loses place
• Avoids reading

Discomfort:

• Strain and fatigue
• Tired or sleepy
• Headaches or nausea
• Fidgety or restless
• Eyes that hurt or become watery

Attention and Concentration Problems:

• Problems with concentration when reading and doing academic tasks
• Often people can appear to have other conditions, such as attention deficit disorder, and are given medication unnecessarily.

Writing Problems:

• Trouble copying
• Unequal spacing
• Unequal letter size
• Writing up or downhill
• Inconsistent spelling

Other Characteristics:

• Strain or fatigue from computer use
• Difficulty reading music
• Sloppy, careless math errors
• Misaligned numbers in columns
• Ineffective use of study time
• Lack of motivation
• Grades do not reflect the amount of effort

Depth Perception:

• Clumsiness
• Difficulty catching balls
• Difficulty judging distances
• Additional caution necessary while driving

Distortions:

• Words on the page lack clarity or stability; i.e., may appear to be blurry, moving, or disappear

Information copied from Irlen.com

All subjects homeschoolingwithdyslexia.com

• goodsensorylearning.com teacherspayingteachers.com
• classicalconversations.com (Christian based multi-sensory program)​
  

Math

• Life of Fred
• Right Start Math
• Abacus
• Learn Math Fast
• Math-U-See
• Teaching Textbooks (beginning in 3rd grade)
  

Reading

• Whatever you do, please choose a program that uses an Orton-Gillingham approach
• Barton Reading and Spelling System (for age 5 and older) www.bartonreading.com
• Wilson Reading System www.wilsonlanguage.com
• Smart Kids Who Hate to Read
• All About Reading
• Reading Horizons 
• www.kedapublications.co.uk  Toe by Toe/Stride Ahead Geared towards older students.
  

Spelling

• www.bartonreading.com
• All About Spelling
• Sequential Spelling
• Spelling-U-See 
  

Handwriting

• Handwriting Without Tears (check out their iPad app!)
• Italic Series
• Smart Kids Who Hate to Write
  

History 
(both of these curricula have read alouds and hands-on resources)

• Story of the World Audio
• Beautiful Feet
  

Science

• Hands on Science projects
• Science videos
• Apologia:  Exploring Creation With Series (Christian Based)

 
Dyslexia & Dyscalculia Screening/Homeschool Support/Tutoring
Lexia Learners 
​714-363-1562
LexiaLeaners@gmail.com

Some of the information has been reproduced from homeschoolingwithdyslexia.com and natureoflearning.com/

Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz
Dr. Sally Shaywitz, co-director of the Yale Center for the Study of Learning and Attention and a leader in the current research into how the brain works, offers the latest information about reading problems and proven, practical techniques that, along with hard work and the right help, can enable anyone to overcome them.  This book is essential for understanding the physiological changes within the dyslexic brain.  A fascinating and life-changing read for those new to the world of dyslexia.
 
The Dyslexic Advantage by Brock Eide and Fernette Eide
Did you know that many successful architects, lawyers, engineers—even bestselling novelists—had difficulties learning to read and write as children? In this groundbreaking book, Brock and Fernette Eide explain how 20% of people—individuals with dyslexia—share a unique learning style that can create advantages in a classroom, at a job, or at home. Blending personal stories with hard science, The Dyslexic Advantage provides invaluable advice on how parents, educators, and individuals with dyslexia can recognize and use the strengths of the dyslexic learning style.  Invaluable for understanding the inherent strengths of your child’s dyslexic mind.
 
Right Brained Children in a Left Brained World by Jeffery Freed and Laurie Parsons
I always love to learn from others who are hands on in the field.  This book is just that. Written by a former teacher and educational therapist, it is full of real life examples of how right-brained thinkers learn best.  Full of ideas for teaching strategies too.  Now if they would just write Left Brained Parents in a Right Brained Home!
 
The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan by Ben Foss
After years of battling with a school system that did not understand his dyslexia and the shame that accompanied it, renowned activist and entrepreneur Ben Foss is not only open about his dyslexia, he is proud of it. In The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan he shares his personal triumphs and failures so that you can learn from his experiences, and provides a three-step approach for success:
• Identify your child’s profile: By mapping your child’s strengths and weaknesses and assisting her to better understand who she is, you can help your child move away from shame and feelings of inadequacy and move toward creating a powerful program for learning.
• Help your child help himself: Coach your child to become his own best advocate by developing resiliency, confidence, and self-awareness, and focusing on achievable goals in areas that matter most to him.
• Create community: Dyslexic children are not broken, but too often the system designed to educate them is. Dare to change your school so that your child has the resources to thrive. Understanding your rights and finding allies will make you and your child feel connected and no longer alone.
Packed with practical ideas and strategies dyslexic children need for excelling in school and in life.

Homeschooling the Challenging Child by Christine Field
Written by a former lawyer turned homeschool mother, this book is not exclusively about homeschooling a child with dyslexia rather more about the issues surrounding homeschooling kids with all kinds of challenges.  Chapters address how to deal with issues stemming from various learning disabilities, attention disorders, personality clashes, learning styles, discipline problems, managing stress and discouragement, how to plan a program, and the importance of keeping in mind the tenets of God’s love and forgiveness. Hands-on tips for managing a successful home education program, as well as how to find professional help from support groups.
 
Unicorns Are Real: A Right-Brained Approach to Learning by Barbara Meister Vitale
If you are hopelessly left-brained (linear and logical) like me, you will love this book. Written in an easy to understand style and full of real life practical strategies for teaching the predominantly right-brained learner. The book begins with an easily understood, yet surprisingly in-depth description of brain structure and function as it pertains to learning. The book also contains simple, do-at-home procedures for testing your child for brain dominance.
 
Your Child’s Growing Mind by Dr. Jane Healy
Considered the classic guide to understanding children’s mental development. She explains the building blocks of reading, writing, spelling, and mathematics and shows how to help kids of all ages develop motivation, attention, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. She also looks at learning issues, ADHD, and the influences of electronic media – all through the lens of the science of childhood development.
 
Parenting the Struggling Reader by Susan Hall and Dr. Louis Moats
A very comprehensive, practical guide for recognizing, diagnosing and overcoming any childhood reading difficulty. Written by a mother of a struggling reader (who is also on the board of directors of the International Dyslexia Association) and an educational researcher, this book contains both the clinical information a parent needs but also the practical, everyday solutions and tips needed to successfully help your struggling reader.
Contains an extensive explanation of our role as advocate for our children. Sections are as follows:

• Identify
• Testing
• Accurate diagnosis
• Determining what instructional approach will be most effective for your child