Dyslexia accounts for 90 percent of learning disabilities in America, and those who have it never outgrow it — they have to adapt. Sally Shaywitz (pictured), a national expert on dyslexia, who shared that statistic with a Citizens Television audience — then offered reason for optimism.
Shaywitz, author of the groundbreaking book in the field, “Understanding Dyslexia,” is a neurologist and co-director with her husband, fellow neurologist Bennett Shaywitz, of the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity at the Yale School of Medicine. They were guests on Thursday’s edition of 21st Century Conversations, hosted by N’Zinga Shani.
Dyslexia is defined as unexpected difficulty reading well compared to a person’s cognitive ability level. In other words, it is not a reflection of intelligence, though children who have it are often ridiculed by classmates as “slow” or “dumb.”
“When parents get that diagnosis for their children,” Sally Shaywitz said, “they’re devastated. But what does it mean? We’ve learned a great deal about reading and teaching reading, and if they get accommodations like more time on tests, they are going on to college and success. They must work very hard, but it can be done.” The website mentions people from many fields who have succeeded despite their dyslexia - Albert Einstein, John Irving, Whoopie Goldberg, among others.
Bennett Shaywitz said that half the people diagnosed with dyslexia also have some form of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and the reverse is also true. That can make for tough going in a classroom of 20 or more students, for the dyslexic child as well as his classmates.
charles%20cicarella.JPGAnother guest on the show was Charles Cicarella, supervisor of psychological services for New Haven Public Schools (pictured). He said schools offer a range of support services for these children, once they are identified, and their parents. “It’s whole school-based team,” he said. “It can wrap around the parent, and give referrals to, for example, the Yale Child Study Center; school systems also put on events so parents can understand what’s available.”
Bennett Shaywitz said that through the studies they conduct, many children are given MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), so the researchers can actually observe the brain activity while the children are reading. “It allows us to take a hidden disability and make it visible,” he said.
For those who participate, added Sally, “We can offer a state of the art evaluation to families at no cost.”
She also mentioned an “exciting new treatment for dyslexia.” It’s a medication, atomoxetine (Strattera) “which preliminary studies suggest may be helpful in improving reading,” according to a brochure inviting children between the ages of 10 and 16 with dyslexia or ADHD to participate in one of two studies. Children who are good readers are also being recruited as a control group. Both groups will receive ability and reading achievement tests, a diagnostic interview and a physical with laboratory studies. Parents who are interested can contact Karen Marchione at 785-4641.
(Thanks for name correction, John John.)
By Melinda Tuhus
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/
Good News for Dyslexics
Teachers, parents gain tools to help kids with dyslexia
THIBODAUX , Louisiana, USA — More than 200 people from throughout Louisiana filled the halls of Nicholls State University Saturday to improve their understanding of dyslexia and its effect on human’s intellectual development.
Called “Unmasking Their Potential,” many who attended said they welcomed the chance to learn of the learning disability without traveling far.
“It’s important that it’s close by. I’ve had to go to conferences in Baton Rouge,” said Celeste Molaison, a Thibodaux resident whose daughter has characteristics of dyslexia.
Instructional guides on reading big words, elementary sentence structure and college preparation were among the nearly two dozen courses centering on various aspects of the learning disability held throughout the day.
Most who came were teachers, tutors or parents of children with dyslexia who sought to improve the lives of youth, according to Karen Chiasson, director of the Louisiana Center for Dyslexia and Related Learning Disorders at Nicholls.
And it was so well attended, Chiasson said, that it will likely be the first of many local conferences.
“We figured it’s such a success that it’s our ‘first annual conference,’ ” she said.
Rob Langston, chairman and CEO of the For the Children Foundation and president of the Langston Company, was the keynote speaker.
Langston makes regular appearances on radio and TV, is an author and developed a five-step process aimed at helping people overcome a personal battle with dyslexia.
In two morning presentations, he spoke of his own experience with dyslexia and how he successfully overcame the disability.
Dyslexia affects 10 to 15 percent of the U.S. population, but only 5 percent of people with the reading disorder are recognized and given assistance, according to the Dyslexia Research Institute.
About 60 percent of those diagnosed with attention deficit disorder are also considered dyslexic, but often the behavioral aspects of ADD are addressed while dyslexia goes ignored, according to the agency.
Ellen Ryan, a teacher at Northlake Christian School in Covington, works with children with many learning disabilities, including dyslexia and ADD.
Ryan noted that these conferences can improve all methods of teaching because the techniques to aid all learning disabilities are a relatively similar and can be useful for children without disabilities.
“Anything that helps (learning-disabled) kids helps everybody,” she said.
Staff Writer Ben Lundin can be reached at 448-7635 or ben.lundin@dailycomet.com.
http://www.dailycomet.com/
Fish Oil Benefits
There are two main ways to include fish oil as part of a healthy diet. The first involves the consumption of oily fish, including sardines and cod, which contain oils throughout their body and about their gut, unlike other species of fish. Depending on the species, oily fish fillets may offer up to 30% oil. Besides omega-3 fatty acids, oily fish also provides a good source of vitamins A and D.
The second approach towards increasing the amount of fish oils in a diet is to purchase fish oil capsules or supplements. Many people are said to prefer the consumption of fish oil capsules because are easy to follow and do not require laborious measurements in making sure recommended daily values are satisfied. To explore some of the many benefits associated with fish oil supplements and consumption, a few examples can be found below:
Decreased Pain Levels and Inflammation
Omega-3 fatty acids may posses the power to lessen inflammation in the body, as well as ease the pain associated with arthritis and cystitis. Rheumatoid arthritis patients often report an improvement in joint pains and inflammation when taking fish oil supplements.
Treats Depression and Stress
Some individuals have been able to ease their symptoms of depression by implementing omega-3 fish oil supplements into their diet. Fish oils have also been linked to promise in treating bipolar and psychotic patients. Supplements may also help to promote the overall mood of patients, and may even reduce premenstrual stress.
Cardiovascular Improvements
The heart, arteries, and veins may benefit from fish oil because it has been known to help lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, while at the same time improving "good" cholesterol levels.
Fights Strokes and Heart Attack
The threat of stroke and heart attack may be decreased with the introduction of fish oils into a diet because they may help to prevent blood clots and other damage to the heart. A decreased risk of sudden death and heart attacks has also been seen.
Enhances Brain Activity
Fish oil is known to boost intelligence and overall happiness in users, as well as improve the memory and ability to stay focused. In the elderly, the risk of dementia and memory loss sometimes decreases with the use of fish supplements. Additionally, mothers who consume or take a high amount of omega-3/fish oils during pregnancy often give birth to children with a higher IQ.
Combats Childhood Disorders
Children, who suffer from disorders, such as ADD and ADHD, have experienced a better quality of life when incorporating fish oil fatty acids into their diet. Additional conditions that respond to fish oils include dyslexia and compulsive disorders.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
http://msokorea.com/
Andrew has talent for writing, poetry
Every good talent takes time, practice and dedication, a fact which 19-year-old Caroline Andrew knows very well. She has been developing her gift of poetry and spoken word most of her life. She says she has written her whole life because it was passed down from her grandfather who is also a writer.
She attended a private high school at The King's Academy, where she was recognized early on as a freshman upon winning a speech contest. Now in her fifth quarter at De Anza College, she continues to do hyperbole spoken word; which are strong emphasis poems on a certain topic meant to stir up a feeling or create a certain impression on others.
In addition, she writes traditional love poems. Her favorite is Allen Ginsberg, popular in the 70s and 80s,. She is inspired by random people she sees in her everyday life.
Andrew has a learning disability known as dyslexia which makes it harder for the brain to process written language, particularly reading or spelling. But, for this brilliantly artistic student writing has never been an issue. In fact Andrew said, "writing poetry is an easy way to express yourself."
Andrew defeats many stereotypes in society that claim those with a disability "can't do" something; however, she has clearly shown she has a "can do" attitude on life.
Although poetry is one of her fun pursuits, it isn't the only skill that she possesses. Writing poetry is something she says she does for fun because she loves it and has hopes to be published one day. She is also interested in black and white photography, writes music in the genre of alternative pop- punk and is an assistant kindergarten teacher at a day care in Sunnyvale.
De Anza instructors have helped tremendously in her pursuits to further develop her miraculous gift of writing.
"Teachers at De Anza have taught me it's important to be yourself and don't take crap from people," said Andrew. "De Anza is a place I can write freely because in high school and at home I have to censor myself."
Andrew's major is Theater Production. She wants to do technical lighting and production for stages. She is a technician and lighting director for her church in Los Gatos. She says she loves stage work because there is a certain energy involved in it; theater production is all about "doing something and making something glow."
Brittany Sims
http://www.lavozdeanza.com/home/
