THE LEARNING LANAI
Welcome to The Learning Lanai website. I'm Sue Sasko, a Barton Literacy Tutor. I utilize an Orton Gillingham based system to remediate dyslexia. Therapy is provided 1:1 and utilizes The Barton Reading and Spelling System. This system is proven effective for children age 5 through adulthood. Therapy sessions are typically twice a week for 50 minutes. I also offer explicit handwriting instructions, general tutoring for students who learn differently, and support to parents. I provide affordable tutoring at a variety of locations, usually at my students' homes or private schools. I primarily work in North Pinellas, but can serve students in Central Pinellas, West Hillsborough and South Pasco Counties.
Sue Sasko
(727) 415-4956
[email protected]
Sue Sasko
(727) 415-4956
[email protected]
Warning Signs of Dyslexia*
In Preschool
• delayed speech • mixing up the sounds and syllables in long words • chronic ear infections • stuttering • constant confusion of left versus right • late establishing a dominant hand • difficulty learning to tie shoes • trouble memorizing their address, phone number, or the alphabet • can’t create words that rhyme • a close relative with dyslexia
In Elementary School
• dysgraphia (slow, non-automatic handwriting that is difficult to read) • letter or number reversals continuing past the end of first grade • extreme difficulty learning cursive • slow, choppy, inaccurate reading: - guesses based on shape or context - skips or misreads prepositions (at, to, of) - ignores suffixes - can’t sound out unknown words • terrible spelling • often can’t remember sight words (they, were, does) or homonyms (their, they’re, and there) • difficulty telling time with a clock with hands • trouble with math - memorizing multiplication tables - memorizing a sequence of steps - directionality • when speaking, difficulty finding the correct word - lots of “whatyamacallits” and “thingies” - common sayings come out slightly twisted • extremely messy bedroom, backpack, and desk • dreads going to school - complains of stomach aches or headaches - may have nightmares about school
In High School
All of the above symptoms plus: • limited vocabulary • extremely poor written expression - large discrepancy between verbal skills and written compositions • unable to master a foreign language • difficulty reading printed music • poor grades in many classes • may drop out of high school
In Adults
Education history similar to above, plus: • slow reader • may have to read a page 2 or 3 times to understand it • terrible speller • difficulty putting thoughts onto paper - dreads writing memos or letters • still has difficulty with right versus left • often gets lost, even in a familiar city • sometimes confuses b and d, especially when tired or sick
In Preschool
• delayed speech • mixing up the sounds and syllables in long words • chronic ear infections • stuttering • constant confusion of left versus right • late establishing a dominant hand • difficulty learning to tie shoes • trouble memorizing their address, phone number, or the alphabet • can’t create words that rhyme • a close relative with dyslexia
In Elementary School
• dysgraphia (slow, non-automatic handwriting that is difficult to read) • letter or number reversals continuing past the end of first grade • extreme difficulty learning cursive • slow, choppy, inaccurate reading: - guesses based on shape or context - skips or misreads prepositions (at, to, of) - ignores suffixes - can’t sound out unknown words • terrible spelling • often can’t remember sight words (they, were, does) or homonyms (their, they’re, and there) • difficulty telling time with a clock with hands • trouble with math - memorizing multiplication tables - memorizing a sequence of steps - directionality • when speaking, difficulty finding the correct word - lots of “whatyamacallits” and “thingies” - common sayings come out slightly twisted • extremely messy bedroom, backpack, and desk • dreads going to school - complains of stomach aches or headaches - may have nightmares about school
In High School
All of the above symptoms plus: • limited vocabulary • extremely poor written expression - large discrepancy between verbal skills and written compositions • unable to master a foreign language • difficulty reading printed music • poor grades in many classes • may drop out of high school
In Adults
Education history similar to above, plus: • slow reader • may have to read a page 2 or 3 times to understand it • terrible speller • difficulty putting thoughts onto paper - dreads writing memos or letters • still has difficulty with right versus left • often gets lost, even in a familiar city • sometimes confuses b and d, especially when tired or sick
For more information on dyslexia, please visit the following webpages.
http://www.dys-add.com/dyslexia.html#anchorDefinitionLD
A NIH study from 1994 finds dyslexia affects at least 1 in every 5 children in the U.S.!
http://www.dys-add.com/dyslexia.html#anchorResearchNIH
www.dyslexitraininginstitute.org
F.A.T. City videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08XdqpMGpT4
Learning Ally: www.learningally.org Learning Ally provides audiobook subscriptions to people with print disabilities. Florida is one of only two states that have a state-wide grant for Learning Ally for public and private school students with documented print disabilities. Many other states have limited grants. They also have many wonderful, free webinars on identifying and supporting students who struggle with dyslexia.
Yale Center For Dyslexia and Creativity: dyslexia.yale.edu
The International Dyslexia Association: http://dyslexiaida.org
Barton Reading and Spelling System: www.bartonreading.com
Information on dyslexia from Susan Barton: www.brightsolutions.us
Coursera course 'Supporting Children with Difficulties in Reading and Writing': www.coursera.org/learn/dyslexia-difficulties
*Reprinted with prior permission from Susan Barton