Dyslexia affects 1 in 10 people.
Do you or a loved one have dyslexia?
Statistics show that 1 in 10 people suffer with dyslexia. Those are very high odds. What is life like when you struggle to read every day?
As an NILD Educational Therapist, I already knew that our therapy program was beneficial for dyslexia, but I didn’t realize just how impactful it really was! According to the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), the most effective way to treat dyslexia is to use an evidenced-based reading intervention. And that is exactly what NILD Educational Therapy does!
An article from IDA’s April 2018 newsletter cites many research studies which substantiate this. It was noted that a specific reading intervention will help with recovery of abilities and/or create compensatory strategies. These strategies are used by most readers up to a certain age and then are slowly dropped as the age and abilities increase. For those with dyslexia, however, these strategies are key in helping them further develop their reading skills.
According to these research studies, the key to aiding students with dyslexia in developing compensatory strategies, and thus their reading skills, include a morphological awareness (the study of word structure), language comprehension and articulation, semantic knowledge (word meanings/vocabulary) and visual memorization. These foundational skills are exactly what is developed in our students through our Blue Book technique, Moveable Alphabet, puzzle techniques, and Buzzer technique let alone the more than 20 other techniques that we provide in NILD Educational Therapy.
These studies have proven that these are some of the best ways to develop the necessary strategies to strengthen reading abilities.
Our Rhythmic Writing technique, which develops connectivity between hemispheres of the brain among other things, may also be beneficial in helping develop alternative strategies to improve reading.
It is no wonder then, that the International Dyslexia Association has chosen to recognize the National Institute for Learning Development and its educational therapy program, as an approved program to treat dyslexia!
“Following an in-depth review of NILD’s program using the International Dyslexia Association Knowledge and Practice Standards, we are pleased to report that IDA recognizes your program,” Suzanne Carreker, Chair of IDA Professions Development Committee. (Read more: https://nildcanada.org/research/) Some of the strengths which the IDA further commends NILD for are:
- Therapeutic, research-based, individualized approach
- Grounded in test and observational data
- Rich vocabulary development
- Components of reading are addressed within a cognitive development framework
We are honoured to receive this distinction, but we are even more excited for all of the students with dyslexia whose lives can be impacted through this therapy!
I, personally, have watched many people struggle with dyslexia for a good part of their lives. But, I have also witnessed the impact that this program has had on students who struggle with this condition. It gives hope and help to those in need! If we can help even one student to either recover weak components or to develop strategies that will allow them to compensate for their challenges, it will all be worth it.
Please consider the difference NILD Educational Therapy would make in your life, or in the life of someone you love!
To read all of the research and full article, go here.
