My Approach to Educational Therapy

Overview:

A crucial motivational strategy in my approach to educational therapy is to integrate a student’s interests and strengths into a session. In addition, using different modalities of learning such as Google Docs, and multi-sensory learning, ensures that the student will enjoy learning new reading and writing skills. All my approaches are researched and evidence based.


Quote: Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow. By Lawrence Clark Powell

Reading and Writing


Introduction

The first step is to review educational testing which might include IEPs, private testing, and work samples from school. I believe that in addition to remediating a student’s challenges it is crucial to emphasize the child’s strengths and interests. This checklist from Understood.org delineates a student’s strengths. I design lessons that emphasize the student’s interests and strengths and that are based on educational research. It is helpful to meet with a parent and/or a student to review testing and the student’s strengths, challenges, and interests.

Below are various examples of lessons that I have designed. In addition, there are examples of commercial curriculum that I use.


Reading: Decoding

I use a structured literacy method that is based upon my extensive experience with the Orton-Gillingham approach. This infographic from the International Dyslexia Association describes structured literacy. An article from Understood.org describes the Orton-Gillingham approach.

Here is a lesson I designed that integrates computer skills with decoding: Highlighted Twin Words

Some curriculum that I use for decoding are:

  • "Explode the Code" and "Beyond the Code", Nancy Hall
  • "Megawords: Multisyllabic Words", Kristin Johnson
  • "Touch phonics", Robin Steed, EdD


Reading: Comprehension

When students read about an interest or a passion, they are more motivated to read. Here are two websites that I use for teaching reading comprehension.

The questions on this lesson, Smallpox Vaccine Comprehension Questions, are based on a National Geographic History article from June-July 2015. The student has an interest in medicine and history.

Examples of reading comprehension curriculum are:

  • “Time for Kids, Comprehension and Critical Thinking”, Diana Herweck, Psy D.
  • “High Interest Reading: Fascinating Creatures”, Tanya Bibeau
  • “Einstein’s Who, What and Where”, Carol Einstein


Written Language, Spelling and Assistive Technology

A motivational strategy for students with dysgraphia or other written language challenges is to have them write about their interests. The following Google Doc lesson was used with a dysgraphic student: Prewriting about the Computer Game “Minecraft”. Google Docs can assist learning disabled students in written expression as cited in this article from Understood.org

Some curriculum that I use for written language are:

  • "Writing Skills", Diana Hanbury King
  • "How to Write an Essay", Walter Kelly, M.A.

Many dyslexic and ADHD students struggle with spelling. The Orton-Gillingham approach is multi-sensory and integrates the teaching of reading and writing. Here is an article from Understood.org that describes spelling issues in more detail.

One example of a spelling curriculum I use is:

  • "How to Spell", Laura Toby Rudginsky and Elizabeth C. Haskell

Mathematics

Introduction

My approach to mathematics involves understanding a student's challenges by reviewing their testing and school work. I design a program that remediates these challenges and promotes a positive attitude towards learning math. My students discover that math can be fun!

Image: Math is Fun

The book “Adding It Up: Helping Children Learn Mathematics” (edited by Jeremy Kilpatrick and others) has an infographic about the five “intertwined strands of math”:

Infographic: Five Intertwined Strands of Math

The Productive Disposition strand refers to the attitude students have towards learning math. This strand of math is particularly important to students who have math challenges. The strand emphasizes the importance of developing a student’s positive attitude towards math.

Paul Yellin has a helpful webinar on Understood.org, entitled “Understanding Math Issues”. He explains both dyscalculia and other math challenges.


Instructional Techniques:

Designing a math program specific to a student’s math challenges involves a variety of instructional techniques.

Math Manipulatives

Examples of some of the math manipulatives I use are:

  • Fraction circles to teach the value of different fractions.
Graphic: Fraction Circles
  • Magnets to teach place value.

Both manipulatives are available from SchoolSpeciality.com


Math Websites

The above site also includes completed work examples from Khan Academy.


Math Books

  • “Attack Math”, Carole Greenes
  • “Kim Marshall Series”, Kim Marshall
  • “On Core Mathematics”, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt


Summary:

I begin by determining a student’s challenges with math. Then I develop an individualized program that utilizes a variety of techniques. My students remark "math is awesome!"