Parent to Parent: Dyslexia

WSVN -- It may look like a kid having fun, but Megan is actually learning how to read by jumping on this trampoline. Megan has dyslexia, a common learning disability that makes it difficult for the brain to process written words.

Mary Jo Ford, Megan's mother: "She didn't have any confidence in herself anymore, she lost it all completely."

But Megan is learning to live with dyslexia thanks to 3-D Learner Systems. The program has a number of exercises designed to sync-up the analytical left side of the brain to the more creative right side, including this clay-based visual system, which will help kids recognize words and pattern recognition all designed to help them read.

Mark Halpert, 3-D Learner: "These are the 33 percent of the kids that learn best when they see and experience information."

3-D Learner founder Mark Halpert says many dyslexic kids are very creative and gifted.

Mark Halpert: "Einstein, Disney, Branson are all people who are geniuses. The right side of the brain is capable of the phenomenal things, it's the creative part, it's the problem-solving part, but reading is hard for these kids."

Seven's parenting expert Dr. Valerie Goode says if your child is having trouble reading, it's important to get an assessment right away.

Dr. Valerie Goode: "If you get a child that's 4, 5, 6 years old and you can assess the fact they do have a problem processing images, you can go in a different way in the brain and teach them so it's not as much of a problem."

Once parents have a program in place, they need to understand how their child is learning, so they can help at home, and no matter how much your child might struggle to read, remember to be understanding and patient.

Dr. Valerie Goode: "If you say to a child, 'Let's figure out a way to do this and get that information and not make it a big deal, that child is going to be OK."

It's working for Megan. She's finishing fourth grade and reading and succeeding in school.

Megan Ford: "Now I can read a lot more, it's kind of not like boring now. It's kind of fun because I know how to do it."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Dr. Valerie Goode:
www.drvaleriegoode.com

Mark Halpert
http://www.3dlearner.com
561-361-7495