Visual discrimination is the ability to distinguish the similarities and differences in the detail of visual input. Visual discrimination is a prerequisite skill for learning to read printed text. There are many layers of visual discrimination, progressing from objects to combinations of letters. This article provides the information you need to evaluate if a child […]
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The Fernald Method is a whole-word multi-sensory approach to teach reading to individuals with severe learning disabilities. The approach has been documented in research as effective with this population (as cited in Boss & Vaughn, 1998). This article provides an overview of the Fernald teaching methodology. The Fernald Method can also be used for spelling instruction. […]
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A whole-word reading program teaches children to recognize and read a word as a single unit. In contrast to a phonics approach, children do not sound out each letter or letter combination. Whole-word methods require fewer prerequisite skills than phonics methods. Thus, children who are not ready or unable to learn to read through phonics may find […]
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The purpose of reading instruction is silent reading comprehension. The three components that contribute to silent reading comprehension are word identification, whole-text print processing, and language comprehension. This post will address word identification, namely, the methods and prerequisite skills for reading individual words. (McCauley & Fey, 2006) There are two direct approaches for teaching word […]
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Ethics are the guiding principals of decent human conduct. When a person of authority (i.e., parent, teacher, or caregiver) seeks to change the behavior of another person, a careful consideration of the ethics of behavior analysis are in order. First and foremost, it is wise to follow the first principle of the hippocratic oath: Do no harm. Keep […]
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Running records can be used to evaluate a reading program’s effectiveness over time. In order to evaluate if the current program is sufficient, you will need to complete and analyze a reading fluency graph. How to graph your own results: 1) Download and print this free document: FluencyDataSheetFree 2) Determine the expected fluency rate for your […]
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A running record is a way to assess a student’s fluency and other reading patterns. In a running record, both the instructor and the student view a copy of a passage. As this process is used for assessment purposes, the selected passage should be new to the student. As the student reads his passage out […]
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Some children exhibit challenging behaviors. These behaviors may not respond to typical discipline approaches. I agree with Dr. Ross Greene’s philosophy that children behave well if they can. Misbehavior is due to missing skills. In order to effectively treat the challenging behavior(s), one must first understand the factors influencing the behavior. ABC data will provide you with […]
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A community is a group of people who share a common trait. This trait may include social norms, such as values or religion, or be the result of residing in the same geographic area. In our Special Education Facebook Community, we do not share a geographic location, but we do share an interest in supporting children who […]
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Reading is a complex process. The early grades focus on decoding and recognizing words. The words are then strung into sentences, paragraphs, and longer passages. The student is supposed to have silent reading comprehension by reading at the rate of natural speech while simultaneously processing the same information. The Ultimate Goal of Reading Instruction is […]
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