EFL Learning is considered an enriching and rewarding experience for most 'normal' learners. However, for learners with neurological differences/learning disabled, it can be a stressful and unpleasant experience. Students with learning disabilities (SLD) are often mistaken for slow, behind, incapable, and failures as there is a lack of awareness…

The "Dyslexia Training Program," developed at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, is a Tier III reading intervention program that provides intensive phonics instruction to children with dyslexia, primarily in grades two through five. It is a comprehensive two-year program that bridges the gap for school districts in which a…

"Orton-Gillingham" is a broad, multisensory approach to teaching reading and spelling that can be modified for individual or group instruction at all reading levels. Teaching sessions are action oriented with auditory, visual, and kinesthetic elements reinforcing one another. The approach targets persons with the kinds of language…

Seven learning disabled children (six-nine years old) participated in classes featuring Slingerland (group multisensory activities) or Sullivan (individualized traditional) reading approaches. Both groups evidenced nearly equal improvement in differing areas. Possible reasons contributing to the appeal of the Slingerland approach are noted. (CL)

The paper reports on multisensory approaches to reading instruction of learning disabled children. G. Fernald's "tracing" method, also known as the V-A-K-T method, is described and research questioning its effectiveness is cited. Next, the Adapted Fernald Technique (AFT) which requires the student to write, illustrate, read and reread…

The importance of motivation in the use of Fernald Techniques is discussed and applied to reading instruction for students with learning problems. Fernald methods begin with a multisensory approach and move through four steps to independent learning. Success depends on students' motivational readiness for instruction and motivation during and…

A practical and simple approach to developing reading and spelling skills in learning disabled students combines writing of stories with illustrations, and reading and reviewing the typed stories each day. The modified multisensory approach can be used in small group formats. (CL)

This case study describes different traditional and sensory approaches to reading which were tried unsuccessfully with Jim, a third-grade nonreader, until a breakthrough was made by teaching him Exact English Signing. The author speculates that other techniques, such as braille, might also help the learning disabled. (SJL)

The Fernald Technique (originated by G. Fernald), which is a multi-modal approach involving tracing, is one method of teaching reading to learning disabled students. (Author/PHR)

A review of the research indicates that Fernald's technique (VAKT) for learning to read and spell is effective in some, but not all, instances. (MKM)

The progress of 138 elementary students with specific learning disabilities was followed as they were instructed using the Alphabetic Phonics curriculum. After 3 years, the curriculum produced significant progress in reading comprehension for average and above average students, though below average students did not advance substantially in…

New treatments of reading disabilities have recently been developed. New medical therapies for reading disabilities link poor functions of the mechanism that controls balance and movement to reading disability and focus medical attention on diet as a cause of hyperactive behavior and learning disorders. These medical therapies are still…

Delinquents (n=116) with reading disabilities were given daily multisensory (Orton/Gillingham approach) remedial reading instruction or regular reading instruction. One year after release, the treatment group had made significantly greater growth in reading and had a significantly lower rate of recidivism. (Author/DB)

This research review on basic reading skills begins with an historical perspective on reading methods, followed by an overview of reading instruction methods for the general population. Research findings are presented on several instructional methods, including phonetic, linguistic, artificial orthography, basal reading, and language experience…

This document summarizes the final reports of five Colorado classroom projects funded to promote and evaluate effective instructional techniques for students with learning disabilities. (However, the projects also involved students who were not disabled.) The five projects dealt with: (1) effectiveness of using an edu-kinesthetic whole brain…