| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
| about the book |
| The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Gifted Homeschooling -- Twice Exceptional Resources for Specific Disabilities Vision Processing Issues in Gifted Children Dyslexia (aka Reading Disability) and Other Vision Problems by Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright 2006 Gifted children have a thirst for knowledge, and the easiest way for them to acquire knowledge is to pursue their interests in books, journals, and online websites. A child who has difficulty reading or finds reading painful cannot pursue his interests on his own. Gifted children may have very complex ideas for written projects, but be unable to translate those ideas onto paper, with the result being a messy, unorganized paper full of spelling mistakes. It can frustrating and embarrassing for a bright child, who does well in most subjects, to have such trouble with what others consider to be an easy task. When an otherwise capable child has a hard time mastering language skills such as reading, writing, and spelling... parents should consider the possibility that the child may have dyslexia, or a vision problem, or both. Dyslexia is a learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with the accuracy and/or fluency of word recognition, poor spelling, and weak decoding abilities, trouble reading aloud, and, sometimes, trouble with handwriting. Other "vision problems" include difficulties with visual input, processing, or integration which make it difficult for the two eyes to work together as a team, especially when reading. The acuity (or clarity) with which a child sees isn't the only important aspect of vision. A child may have 20/20 vision, yet have trouble reading because, for instance, her eye muscles are unable to move smoothly across the page. Vision problems can be diagnosed by a specially trained Behavioral Optometrist, and vision therapy may help. Resources for Dyslexia Also visit the Dyslexia and Other Vision Problems section of the Homeschool Diner for more resources What is dyslexia? -- from the LD-Online website Dyslexia and Reading -- from "The Mislabeled Child" book website Gifted Dyslexics -- from the Eide Neurolearning Blog Secrets of the Brain & Dyslexia: Interview with Thomas West The International Dyslexia Association - tons of good articles Can "Good Readers" Have Dyslexia? Yes! Be alert to problems with reading out loud, spelling of new words, and handwriting issues... they may be signs of "stealth dyslexia" Learning Abled Kids -- an informative website full of links to resources, curriculum, and tools to help your bright child with dyslexia and other learning differences Learning Abled Kids Forum -- a Yahoo! support group for parents with dyslexic children, both homeschooled and public schooled Resources for Other Vision Problems Vision and Reading -- from The Optometrist's Network, explains the various problems with vision and how they affect students screen your child for possible vision problems -- from the Cook Vision Therapy website An explanation of vision therapy -- from the College of Optometrists in Vision Development Vision Therapy -- a Yahoo! support group for vision therapy |