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Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level
From one of the world’s leading experts on reading and dyslexia, the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and practical book yet to help us understand, identify, and overcome the reading problems that plague American children today. For the one in every five children who has dyslexia and the millions of others who struggle to read at their own grade levels—and for their parents...more
Hardcover, 432 pages
Published
April 15th 2003
by Knopf
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Dyslexia is not a discrete state. It's not "yes, you are" or "no, you're not." There are ranges of disability. So even though my child has not been diagnosed dyslexic, he's behind on his reading, and I worry. This book alternately made me worry more, and then eased my mind. This book gives you the facts and the research-based programs that will work. More of a guide to how to make sure your school is doing its best to help your reading-challenged child than how to do it yourself as a parent. A l...more
I listened to this on audio. I only got through the third cassette tape before I couldn't take it anymore. I thought it might have some fun ideas for playing with language with children. But it was so mainstream in its thinking about education. It spent so much time giving examples of children who had "problems" and proving why late readers had something wrong with them. There were example after example of kids who were in remedial reading programs and continued having problems into adulthood, b...more
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The whole first half of this book was enlightening. It helped me realize there are actual biological reasons for differences in ability to read. I really appreciated that it not only helped to identify problems that children my have in reading, but also the strengths to appreciate.
As I began reading the solutions that Dr. Shaywitz presented, I took careful notes and began implementing them with my children. I also recognized many directions that I found in Spell to Write and Read, a program that...more
As I began reading the solutions that Dr. Shaywitz presented, I took careful notes and began implementing them with my children. I also recognized many directions that I found in Spell to Write and Read, a program that...more
Shaywitz packs this book with tons of information on dyslexia including the science on how the dyslexic brain learns. She also includes the best ways to teach reading for dyslexia and the importance of keeping the dyslexic student's sense of worth intact. She reminds us that people with dyslexia are bright, creative individuals who simply learn in a different way. I love her positive view of dyslexia and her desire to be an advocate for all who suffer with this disability. This is an excellent b...more
I picked up this book after is was recommended to my by a psychologist after I had my son tested for a reading disorder. I found it to be very informative and it helped me to understand better how my sons brain works when it comes to reading. The checklist of things to look for in children with dyslexia almost exactly matched the problems that I was seeing in my son. The book also gives good ideas on how to approach his reading problems so that he may receive the help that he needs. We currently...more
This is my go to book for all things Dylexia! Sally Shaywitz and her husband Bennet are the leading experts on dealing with Dyslexia. Both are highly credentialed MD's who have devoted their lives and careers to the study of learning differences, specifically Dislexia. My copy is highlighted and dog-eared and I have read and re-read it several times. Their recommendations come backed by years of evidence based research and are practical and motivating. It is informative but also inspiring. It gi...more
If you have a child who has or you suspect might have Dyslexia, this book is a must read!! I went into Barnes and Noble, picked this book up, and didn't realize until afterwards that this author truly is one of the leaders of the field, and if you're going to read a book on this topic- you want to read what she has to say! First section talks about the scientific/biological differences that happen in the brain of a dyslexic child, and the second half talks about what schools and parents can/shou...more
I am a licensed dyslexia therapist and a certified academic language therapist. I have been in public education for over 25 years. This book was used in my therapy training, and I continue to refer to it. The documentation and research are solid. Shaywitz covers what is involved in learning to read, the definition of dyslexia, brain research that has led to scientific reading instruction, the practices involved in effective reading instruction and a broad spectrum of additional information that...more
Wonderfully informative! My only major criticism is that the book felt increasingly repetative as it progressed. Shaywitz begins with the nature of dyslexia, moves on to diagnosis, then continues with how to help dyslexics become better readers and finally finishes with how to overcome dyslexia. Because so much information is given in the first part in regards to the how and why of dyslexia, I found myself bored when Shaywitz restates the same information as it relates to diagnosis and teaching...more
Very helpful in understand dyslexia and becoming an empowered parent. After reading this book, I feel empowered, along with my son's education therapist, to advocate his accommodation needs at school.
A little repetitive at times but useful. I skipped all the adult and older reader sections since I was interested in the first/second grade age range.
Apparently the author is THE top researcher in this field. She strongly advocates for dyslexics and provides scientific evidence to support the lear...more
A little repetitive at times but useful. I skipped all the adult and older reader sections since I was interested in the first/second grade age range.
Apparently the author is THE top researcher in this field. She strongly advocates for dyslexics and provides scientific evidence to support the lear...more
This is a must read book for everybody. With 1/5 people having dyslexia you are sure to know somebody with this issue (although there is a large spectrum of how it affects people). I think there are more myths about dyslexia than any other disability out there. I consider myself a pretty well educated person and I believed every single one of those myths until I started researching dyslexia when my middle child was diagnosed with it earlier this year. I now constantly hear those same myths from...more
Shaywitz explains that in brain imaging studies, fluent readers show activation in the back of the brain and very little in the front, while dyslexic people show underactivation in the back and more up front. She asserts that these images reveal "exactly where and how dyslexia manifests itself in the brain." I say they mostly just show us that dyslexic people don't read fluently. Um, duh.
So what's the difference between dyslexic and illiterate? Shaywitz offers the "sea of strengths" (i.e. dispar...more
So what's the difference between dyslexic and illiterate? Shaywitz offers the "sea of strengths" (i.e. dispar...more
I chose to read this book because when I was tested for a learning problems in about 1987, the testing resulted in my mother being told that I am dyslexic. When I received my permanent record as an adult, I didn't see the word dyslexia anywhere in the documents including my IEP. Growing up, I was told that dyslexia was why I made reversals in my spelling and it was why I read slowing, but that was the extent of my knowledge on the subject until I did limited internet research on the topic in co...more
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This book was very informative! The only complaint that I have about it is that the author believes that teaching reading should be left to professionals. (ie- not parents). Otherwise, this book is great and I was really pleased with the repeated references to the, "sea of strengths," that are usually a part of dyslexia. I think that teachers and therapists within the school system would do a better job of identifying and understanding dyslexia if they were to read this book.
I'm the dyslexic contact for my school. I teach dyslexic students in middle school. My brother and uncle are both so dyslexic that they are functionally illiterate. I am dyslexic. I had a lot of reasons to read this book when I saw it on the shelves of the teacher library.
It took me forever (and a day) to read the book. It's jam-packed with information. As when I read any dense book, I had to take breaks in my reading. There's lots and lots to read, understand, and internalize.
Monday evening, I...more
It took me forever (and a day) to read the book. It's jam-packed with information. As when I read any dense book, I had to take breaks in my reading. There's lots and lots to read, understand, and internalize.
Monday evening, I...more
If you have a child that struggles to read, spell, or write, you need to read this book! Sally Shaywitz and husband Bennett have been the leading researchers at Yale in the study of dyslexia for the last few decades. Their research is groundbreaking, and it's eye-opening as to how widespread and unaddressed this problem has been. Shaywitz presents her research in very clear and understandable terms, and she gives very hopeful and promising solutions.
I'm a special educator, and this book has been crucial in informing my instruction. It's the most complete text I've ever read on dyslexia--I recommend it to all working with struggling readers.
The great thing about this book is that it informs you of the cause of the disorder (phonological processing), and once you understand this front and back, you are ready to systematically teach reading.
The great thing about this book is that it informs you of the cause of the disorder (phonological processing), and once you understand this front and back, you are ready to systematically teach reading.
Teaching reading is not rocket science. It's neuroscience. I'm enjoying reading Dr. Shaywitz's in-aepth, yet easy to understand analysis of the nature of reading and dyslexia. Having just completed my 6th year degree in reading, I feel somewhat disappointed that my program did not include more study into the latest brain research and its impact on reading instruction.
Hard to say: I bought it to help my son and I wasn't able to use it for that. The information was too difficult for me to access but then I guess it's not a "how-to" kind of book. But the title & cover certainly lead me to believe it was.
I'm thinking of re-reading it to see if it's of any help in my teaching. Maybe that will give me a different perspective.
I'm thinking of re-reading it to see if it's of any help in my teaching. Maybe that will give me a different perspective.
As my first full book I've read about dyslexia, this was a good one. The book follows through with a bit of history on dyslexia and a great section on understanding exactly what it is--very helpful. The last section guides through a few people's experiences with dyslexia and some things to do to help it.
Very helpful, informative, and still interesting to read!
Very helpful, informative, and still interesting to read!
This is a very techincal book, but exactly what I needed. I did not purchase it but I think I will to have to as a reference. My favorite quote from the book is the following: "The encapsulated weakness [of dyslexia] is often surrounded by a sea of strength: reasoning, problem solving, comprehension, concept formation, critical thinking, general knowledge and vocabulary." Pretty much describes my child to a T :)
This was recommended by the boys' Dyslexia specialist. Scientific data on the brain / brain function, history of reading/language development, etc. to start. To this point, I've learned a lot about how research has evolved & what it means. Just entering the sections on diagnosis and tools - can hardly put it down!
Sally Shaywitz has put together a very informative book here if you have a child with Dyslexia or are an educator who teaches children who are dyslexic. The begining chapters are full of interesting interesting information about the developing brain and the history of this disorder...Loved it!
Mar 16, 2012
Diana (Bever) Barber
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
periodic-review,
adhd-autism-etc
A MUST-read for anyone associated in any way with dyslexia and dyslexics. Sally Shaywitz is recognized expert on dyslexia and how to treat it. She explains clearly what is going on in the brain (due to fairly recent scientific breakthroughs) and how to treat it. EXCELLENT!
This book provides comprehensive insight into the neurological workings of the dyslexic brain as well as effective coping mechanisms for the dyslexic. It is a must read for anyone concerned about this subject! Sally Shaywitz is phenomenal.
Great book about how we learn to read. I wish I would of read 3 years ago when my youngest was in kinder so I would of been able to track how his reading was coming along. Great pointers on how to help your child become a better reader.
Jan 26, 2009
Deanne
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
dyslexia,
non-fiction
I picked this book up after my son was diagnosed with dyslexia. It is a great resource for parents and teachers. It is a good book to start with because she presents the information in a way that is understandable.
This is a great book for an overall understanding of dyslexia and what it involves, as well as how to approach intervention. I checked it out from the library, then purchased it to use as a reference.
This is the best book on dyslexia that I have read - and I have read a lot of them. Dr. Shaywitz breaks down the science behind the symptoms and offers solutions to help. The books offers a lot of hope.
“Fascinating look at how we read and why some people struggle with what many of us do so effortlessly. This well-written book is a great resource for parents and educators alike.”
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May 26, 2012 08:26am