TA chat forum

Caroline · Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 3:15 pm Post subject:

I find all this fascinating DQ I had a yr3 boy who I will try anything with to help him with his reading he is a very able and articulate child in other areas this week we tested his reading and I decided to photocopy the QCA paper on to blue. He was over the moon and scored a level 4 amazing!

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dancingqueen · Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 3:31 pm Post subject:

hi found some info on a search, im still looking for the email address of the specialist teacher!!

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think this gives a background and how the overlays work,and Meares Irlen syndrome like i said im not an expert but was advised and spoke at length to the borough specialist teacher about dyslexia quite often!

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And quit running for that runaway bus -
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And - stop apologising for the things you've never done,
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trueblue · Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 3:53 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that DQ, my young man has ASD and dyspraxia but as mum has dyslexia am on the look out for other signs too. So I cannot have too much info at present!

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dancingqueen · Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 4:41 pm Post subject:

maizie wrote:

dq,

What is so special about the overlays themselves? We have a Y7 who does have blue tinted glasses (yes, I was exagerating ever so slightly) and he came to me on a quest for a reading ruler on the day he forgot his glasses. I couldn't find the reading rulers but did have some coloured plastic (from a plastic folder). He tried it out and pronounced it to be a satisfactory substitute to use that day.

I don't think it did it any harm, but you've set me wondering. Sad

sorry maizie i didnt answer this...im not sure that there is anything special about them apart from the fact that they are sold by companies to make money, the folder was probably fine, Very Happy

that is what the overlays look like, similar thickness etc, but there are lots of different colours etc to test with, two of my yr 10 had yellow....which did remind me of a folder!!!

_________________

And quit running for that runaway bus -
Cos those rosey days are few
And - stop apologising for the things you've never done,
Cos time is short and life is cruel -
But it's up to us to change

Caroline · Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks DQ a very interesting web site I always thought that overlays were for dyslexia not mis. This might explain why some children are not dyslexic but appear to display the same symptoms when reading.

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maizie · member Joined: 30 Oct 2005 Posts: 191 Location: NE England

Quote:

This might explain why some children are not dyslexic but appear to display the same symptoms when reading.

Of course, another explanation for 'moving print' could be that children are not actually trained to scan words from left to right all through the word when they are taught to read. If their eyes are dotting around the page (looking for picture 'cues', initial letters etc.) then it might well produce an effect of the print 'moving'.

I have a friend who is an optician. She often gets children brought to her to be tested for this 'moving print' phenomenom. She says she has never found any evidence of anything that might cause it, and, that the children themselves never complain of 'moving print'......

I know this is a contentious topic!

dancingqueen · Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 5:12 am Post subject:

im not dyslexic, but have experienced the moving print, and rivers of white, so maybe its something that happens for certain reasons..tiredness, brightness of the paper etc etc, and if using a colour overlay or pastel colour sheet or different font helps then im going to try it and will use it for my students if it makes life easier for them

worth a try

_________________

And quit running for that runaway bus -
Cos those rosey days are few
And - stop apologising for the things you've never done,
Cos time is short and life is cruel -
But it's up to us to change

maizie · member Joined: 30 Oct 2005 Posts: 191 Location: NE England

I'm not knocking it, dq, just wondering how common it is and why it happens!

After all, a great deal of so called 'dyslexia' can be traced back to inappropriate teaching, rather than any physical/physiological cause Sad

dancingqueen · Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 3:32 pm Post subject:

i know that you arent maizie, and i suppose it is hard for children to describe what they see and what is happening, and as TAs we will all try different strategies to find out what does and doesnt work,

_________________

And quit running for that runaway bus -
Cos those rosey days are few
And - stop apologising for the things you've never done,
Cos time is short and life is cruel -
But it's up to us to change

CasBen · New kid Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 6 Location: Somerset

I am dyslexic, with perfect sight in one eye and no sight in the other, but have never needed glasses. However, I have always experienced visual difficulties upon reading - but as a child thought that was NORMAL! Last September I enrolled at my local university to do a Foundation Degree (for Ta's), and after speaking to the disability officer was told this wasn't normal and that I may benefit from colour tint lens testing. In the past, I've found using a dark pink overlay helpful, but now have dark green lenses in a pair of glasses.

The coloured glasses help stop the constant glare from the page which leaves me feeling exhausted and with very sore eyes. It also means that I can now read for longer periods of time. The print, no matter what font doesn't blur anymore.

These lenses have proven invaluable to my learning and my job as a TA. I used to have difficulty with the glare from the IWB and the strip lighting at school - but these are now reduced.

Coloured overlays and l;enses work for some, but are not suitable for all. Rolling Eyes

shell · Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 6:55 am Post subject:

Great news CasBen.....I am pleased it was highlighted for you... Smile

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Lily · New kid Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 17

I ordered a test pack from Cerium Dyslexia Shop, tested my students and ordered individual overlays for those who needed and agreed to use them. They are very good.

Lbee · Top of the class Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 468

I think reading rulers are a brilliant resource and in my primary school no stigma attached to using them, unlike coloured lenses. You can get a pack containing all the colours for £7.80 I think. You could use the reading rulers to establish which colour helps a particular child best, then photocopy their worksheets on that colour paper.

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Caroline · Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 9:35 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the link Lbee I have ordered a pack I hope they make a difference but you've got to try haven't you?

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vivi · Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 3:24 pm Post subject:

some students have glasses with tints, and some use overlays, we are not allowed to try things out with the students! dont know why but it is a no no.