Hi all -- 
        As Susan's reply suggests, Christine's student may need a lot more 
than encouragement and tapes and accommodations.  So many of our students 
who read at "about third or fourth grade" were able to memorize all the 
words they needed in the early grades, but never got the "code" that 
everyone else got.  Some students figure it out intuitively, others have 
been taught.  But the dyslexic students usually need a very different kind 
of instruction than is offered in our elementary schools.  Asking someone 
try to do college work with a third grade reading level seems almost 
abusive. 
        I heard an oral surgeon talk twenty years ago at a conference. She 
had gotten through ALL those years of school by memorizing every word. She 
knew everyone else was doing something more efficient, but she didn't know 
what.  So she went to an adult literacy program -- somewhere in southern 
California, I think.    They tested her decoding skills with nonsense 
words and found she functioned at the second grade level. 
        She was thriving with a small group using the Texas Scottish Rites 
program.  I think any Orton Gillingham program would have worked for her. 
She needed phonemic awareness, segmentation, and then rules.  And 
practice. All those years of schooling would have been a heck of a lot 
easier for her if she'd had a year or two of appropriate reading 
instruction first.                      Kathie McDonald, Tutor Learner 
Coordinator
                                Project Second Chance Adult Literacy 
Program, Contra Costa County Library, CA



"Cimilluca, Christine" <CCimillu at coedu.usf.edu> 
Sent by: learningdisabilities-bounces at nifl.gov
03/29/2007 07:06 AM
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[LearningDisabilities 983]  ASSISTANCE PLEASE






I'm looking for assistance for a 23 year old mom with an LD.  She is an 
avid reader, but tests very low (2nd or 3rd grade) in reading and writing 
levels.  She would like to pursue her degree at a local college. 
Can anyone recommend workbooks, books, DVD's, etc. that she could use to 
prepare herself at home?  She's bright, motivated, works hard and is 
uncomfortable about re-entering school.
     Christine 
  
Christine G. Cimilluca 
Educational and Training Coordinator 
Region IV Resource Center 
University of South Florida 
4202 East Fowler Avenue PED214 
Tampa, Florida  33620 
Phone 813 974-2904 
FAX 813 974-2780 
www.coedu.usf.edu/regioniv/centerhome.htm 
"I prefer the errors of enthusiasm to the indifference of wisdom."   -- 
Anatole France
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