Dyslexia & ADHD

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability. Dyslexia refers to a cluster of symptoms, which result in people having difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading. Students with dyslexia usually experience difficulties with other language skills such as spelling, writing, and pronouncing words. Dyslexia affects individuals throughout their lives; however, its impact can change at different stages in a person’s life. It is referred to as a learning disability because dyslexia can make it very difficult for a student to succeed academically in the typical instructional environment, and in its more severe forms, will qualify a student for special education, special accommodations, or extra support services. – International Dyslexia Association website.

Ben Foss, Dyslexic adult and author sharing about The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan.

Dyslexia Treatment Goals:

  1. Biology: understanding Dyslexia in the brain (ie, auditory processing, spelling,  Executive Functioning)
  2. Acceptance: understanding the skills & weaknesses of Dyslexia without feeling bad or broken
  3. Advocacy:  how to teach teachers about Dyslexia & how to use accommodations
  4. Accommodations: specific tools that reduce impact of Dyslexia on academic performance
  5. Self-Esteem: you are more than your grades – how to balance friends, school, family time
  6. Tutoring: we will connect you with certified dyslexia tutors and assist in progress monitoring (Note: We rent space in our building to a Barton tutor as well.)

ADHD-Executive Functioning

ADHD is highly misunderstood. The frontal brain is a very complex system that does multiple functions, often called executive functions. Executive functions include such things as: holding things in memory, shifting attention, blocking distraction, planning ahead, using the past to problem solve, controlling emotions and breaking large tasks into goals. Some people have these challenges as a primary deficit, often called “ADHD”. Others have these as a secondary deficit to other cognitive challenges, such as depression, anxiety, Dyslexia or Autism. Research finds that this part of your brain continues to grow into early adulthood, making teens have very specific challenges with attention.

Dr. Barkley is the leading expert on ADHD. Here is his summary of challenges in this area:

ADHD Treatment Goals:

  1. Biology: understand how your frontal brain (attention) and intellect work together (or not!)
  2. Health: understand the intensive impact of sleep, diet/nutrition, exercise on attention
  3. Academics/Work: understand how executive functions impact work and school
  4. Tools: learn Organizational Skills Training to offset the impact of ADHD on work/school performance
  5. Advocate: learn how to teach others about how to optimize your work space so your intellect can shine through
  6. Friends/Marriage: understand and minimize impact of impulsivity on social relationships

We actively teach the works of: