skills of children suffering from dyslexia and even adults who have learning disabilities. A prime requisite of the alternative therapies is that it needs to have the support of the school and home equally.
Characteristics of Alternative Therapies
Have a quick look at the characteristics of alternative therapies for dyslexia.
- They conduct different types of assessment tests in order to specifically determine or diagnose the particular learning disability. This is because all the symptoms are so relative and the problems may not be the same for two individuals.
- The learning objective is thereby determined after careful planning and evaluation.
- The teaching caters to the multi sensory aspects. Therefore all the available and potential learning channels are put to use.
- A particular system or sequence is maintained during the teaching. Each of them makes ample use of task analysis.
- The teaching style of the alternative therapy methods is cumulative. It ensures that the learner effectively connects to what is taught and things that are known to him from beforehand.
- The teaching style incorporates methods like rehearsal and automaticity for dyslexia cases marked by over-learning. This refers to the stage where the mind o the child gets crammed with loads of information and the kid is clueless on how to use them.
- The teaching is always a cognitive process which highly focuses on the language itself and the understanding of the language structures.
- The teaching style is made to be success oriented. This is to ensure that the self-esteem of the kid gets built through attaining successes.
- Alternative therapy makes it clear that the participation of the home is very important in order to attain successful results.
Treatment Plan is Important
A proper treatment plan is very essential in order to ensure that the dyslexic child gains the maximum benefit from the alternative therapy. This primarily requires that the school already has an infrastructure that supports such treatment style or else the child is required to be shifted to a special school that has all the required facilities. Every individual has his or her own strengths and this is true for a child suffering from dyslexia as well. In alternative therapy, the focus is always in working on, enhancing or optimally utilising the child’s strengths while, at the same time helping the child cope up with his weaknesses.
Therapy Methods (Phonics)
Phonics is a technical method that involves a series of systems. Alternative therapy also involves several other techniques that aids or encourages the simultaneous working of all the senses. This is known as the Multi sensory approach. The objective is to engage the child into an activity which will require him to use hearing, seeing, speaking and motor or movement facilities.
Types of Alternative Therapy Methods for Dyslexia
1. Slingerland Method
2. Orton-Gillingham Method
3. Project READ
These are just three methods and computer is greatly used these days to instantly device and implement these methods just for testing purposes or for a long term treatment.
Effectiveness of Alternative Therapies for Dyslexia
Alternative therapy methods are very varied and it is all about attitude. It is mostly a trial and error method and there are basically not enough researches to prove their effectiveness. The support staff is very important and the most important requirement in this treatment method is that each child needs to be treated individually and loved and cared for. It requires a great deal of patience and warmth while dealing with the dyslexic child.
The attitude of the adults surrounding the dyslexic child plays a major role as to how the child perceives himself to be. Once he is positive about it, he will be better able to express himself and therefore find it easier to make use of the therapy methods in speaking, reading and writing the language effectively. He evolves into a good communicator and thereby builds up the much required positive self-esteem.
