DC need help with Oral Blending and Decoding.

[moonsky]

She is in K and seems to have problem with oral blending. She recognizes and can identify the letter sounds. However, she can't combine them in the word, i.e F I N. When she reads, she can only read ones that she familiar with(She memorized them). Anything I can do to help her with the oral these issues. I think if she can get through this, she will be able to read. Advice please. Should I hire a reading specialist at this point? TIA!

[ett]

Is she getting any kind of help at school? They don't officially teaching reading here until 1st grade. Not all K kids can read.

[scrooks]

I would ask the teacher about her progress. It may be appropriate for k. My dd is also in k. She is still working at sounding out words and blending them to make sounds. She can read level A and B books (we go by the fontis and pinnell levels ). As far as I know, that is right on track for k.

[94bruin]

Dd1 seemed to be about the same level when she was in Kinder as your dd. I would say she didn't become a fluent reader until well into 1st grade. I would talk to her teacher and see what she/he says.

Fwiw, we were stressed about her reading, but she's become a confident and voracious reader. It's her favorite activity.

I think we as parents get stressed about reading since there are so many advanced kids (including my dd2,who at age 5 and in preK is reading at the same level DD1 was in late first grade.) But I think for many kids it'll all turn out fine. Like I said, I'd just check in with her teacher.

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[BunnyBee]

Blending can be a developmental issue, but it can also be a sign of dyslexia. Kindergarten is a little early unless you're seeing other concerns. They're pushing kids so early these days! Some kids just aren't ready to make the leap, and it's not a sign of intelligence or anything more than developmental readiness.

I would talk to the teacher and see if she is worried. If your gut is telling you there is a problem though, don't ignore that. Some people have had great success with Lindamood Bell. You can google for nearby centers. It wasn't the right fit for my dyslexic DC. "Reading specialist" in my area doesn't mean a whole lot. It's an extra certification, but it doesn't mean the person has any specific training in phonics or reading disabilities. You can call the local school that specializes in reading issues and ask for tutor referrals.

[ray7694]

Sounds right on target to me. Our school district also uses Lexia reading program. You can purchase a home version.

[shweethart]

Maybe play other reading type games instead of focusing on blending. Rhymes, alliteration type nonsense games, etc. DS played with that leapfrog refrigerator toy the one with 3 spots for the letter and learned blending from that.


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[OKKiddo]

Blending can be a developmental issue, but it can also be a sign of dyslexia. Kindergarten is a little early unless you're seeing other concerns. They're pushing kids so early these days! Some kids just aren't ready to make the leap, and it's not a sign of intelligence or anything more than developmental readiness.

I would talk to the teacher and see if she is worried. If your gut is telling you there is a problem though, don't ignore that. Some people have had great success with Lindamood Bell. You can google for nearby centers. It wasn't the right fit for my dyslexic DC. "Reading specialist" in my area doesn't mean a whole lot. It's an extra certification, but it doesn't mean the person has any specific training in phonics or reading disabilities. You can call the local school that specializes in reading issues and ask for tutor referrals.


This. My 5.5 year old was just evaluated by his developmental pediatrician. We were seeing multiple issues (ie memory retention, directional issues, some stuttering, speech delay, difficulty following multiple step directions, etc.). Basically, everything that the www.dys-add.com website says are the early warning signs. In fact, that website had some eye openers for my husband--which the pediatrician asked questions about family history and our educational backgrounds as well. Pediatrician point blank told my husband that he's been dyslexic his whole life and didn't know it. Our son was not diagnosed with dyslexia....yet. It's still too early for that diagnosis, but he was written in as extremely high risk due to those issues mentioned above and the family history we knew about (DH's father and paternal uncle who was an identical twin and one first cousin) and then what he concluded about my DH. Oh, we did get a new diagnosis and his old PDD-NOS was tossed out (we never felt it truly fit) and he was diagnosed instead with CAPD/APD based off test results from ENT's, Audiologists, and SLP's and the Developmental Pediatrician's in office testing/assessments.

[OKKiddo]

I saw some suggestions above about games and thought I'd do some spending enabling at Lakeshore Learning. They have lots of phoneme and blending games, etc. Love that store!

[niccig]

It could also be a problem with phonological awareness. DS couldn't blend, he couldn't segment a word into syllables or sounds, he had trouble with rhyming etc. He was being seen by a speech therapist for a lisp and I asked for him to be tested for phonological awareness (it's an area of language that speech therapists do intervention). He was quite far behind in these skills.

I also worked with him on phonics using this free program http://blendphonics.org/
It works like this...

Write c on a line and say /k/
Write a on next line and say /ah/
Write ca on next line and say /kah/
Write cat on next line and say /cat/

Then you repeat for all other long a vowels. Then move on to other sounds.

DS had difficult time at first, but then caught on.

[inmypjs]

Ditto what niccig said about phonological awareness. What you are describing is a deficit and that area. It actually often goes along with auditory processing problems. Multisensory methods like the ones she described are the best for that, from what I have read. I would work on those exercises. If she is still struggling, you may need to look at a more formal phonological awareness based reading program - like Phonographix (Aabecedarian, Reading Reflex) or Orton Gillingham (Barton, Wilson).

[Melaine]

From what you describe, it sounds normal to me. She just isn't quite there yet. It's only Kindy...I would keep practicing, but not stress too much and give it time. Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons does a great job of blending...but I think it might be overkill on top of school.

[inmypjs]

I somehow missed that she was in K. I would practice the skills in question and just give it some time. I would model the blending a lot before I asked her to even try it. Just hearing you may be enough for her to pick it up. I would not hire or see a specialist at this point.

[moonsky]

This. My 5.5 year old was just evaluated by his developmental pediatrician. We were seeing multiple issues (ie memory retention, directional issues, some stuttering, speech delay, difficulty following multiple step directions, etc.). Basically, everything that the www.dys-add.com website says are the early warning signs. In fact, that website had some eye openers for my husband--which the pediatrician asked questions about family history and our educational backgrounds as well. Pediatrician point blank told my husband that he's been dyslexic his whole life and didn't know it. Our son was not diagnosed with dyslexia....yet. It's still too early for that diagnosis, but he was written in as extremely high risk due to those issues mentioned above and the family history we knew about (DH's father and paternal uncle who was an identical twin and one first cousin) and then what he concluded about my DH. Oh, we did get a new diagnosis and his old PDD-NOS was tossed out (we never felt it truly fit) and he was diagnosed instead with CAPD/APD based off test results from ENT's, Audiologists, and SLP's and the Developmental Pediatrician's in office testing/assessments.

Thank you for the info on the dyslexia. DC doesn't have any warning signs. So, perhaps just developmental delay.

[moonsky]

It could also be a problem with phonological awareness. DS couldn't blend, he couldn't segment a word into syllables or sounds, he had trouble with rhyming etc. He was being seen by a speech therapist for a lisp and I asked for him to be tested for phonological awareness (it's an area of language that speech therapists do intervention). He was quite far behind in these skills.

I also worked with him on phonics using this free program http://blendphonics.org/
It works like this...

Write c on a line and say /k/
Write a on next line and say /ah/
Write ca on next line and say /kah/
Write cat on next line and say /cat/

Then you repeat for all other long a vowels. Then move on to other sounds.

DS had difficult time at first, but then caught on.

Thanks for the info. I will look into it.

[hillview]

Blending can be a developmental issue, but it can also be a sign of dyslexia. Kindergarten is a little early unless you're seeing other concerns. They're pushing kids so early these days! Some kids just aren't ready to make the leap, and it's not a sign of intelligence or anything more than developmental readiness.

I would talk to the teacher and see if she is worried. If your gut is telling you there is a problem though, don't ignore that. Some people have had great success with Lindamood Bell. You can google for nearby centers. It wasn't the right fit for my dyslexic DC. "Reading specialist" in my area doesn't mean a whole lot. It's an extra certification, but it doesn't mean the person has any specific training in phonics or reading disabilities. You can call the local school that specializes in reading issues and ask for tutor referrals.
DS2 has dyslexia but he is older. At age 5 I feel like it could be a learning issue or just that DC is young. I'd ask the teacher. If you are really worried get a neuropsych eval. very helpful!

[moonsky]

DS2 has dyslexia but he is older. At age 5 I feel like it could be a learning issue or just that DC is young. I'd ask the teacher. If you are really worried get a neuropsych eval. very helpful! Is the evaluation done through school? If not, how did you find one in your area?

[HannaAddict]

It doesn't sound like your child has a "delay" at all from
what you posted it takes all kids different amounts of time. It could be a problem down the road, but what you describe is totally within range of normal and describing it as a delay is borrowing trouble so to speak. I can't tell you how angst filled and worried all the parents are of their kids and reading levels at K and 1st grade. She's too young to even call a delay or be evaluated for reading issues at K. I'd relax and just keep an eye on it. Hard to do I know!

ETA a reputable professional will not diagnose or evaluate the way they would for an older child for reading issues. If it makes you feel better, iI would ask around (teacher, other parents) at who is the best in your area, and schedule a consult. But a $3,000 evaluation will not be valid for a kindergartener.

[inmypjs]

Actually experts agree that dyslexia can be diangosed in children as young as K and 1st grade, because many of the symptoms associated with a dyslexic profile involve more than reading. Many states are passing laws requiring mandatory screening for dyslexia in these grades, instead of waiting until a child is far behind when they're older. OP, please know that I am not saying your child has it, and I wouldn't pursue an eval just based on what you are reporting. But if there are other concerns (http://www.bartonreading.com/pdf/Dys%20warning%20signs.pdf), and/or other family members had difficulty learning to read or write, I would. I had concerns about my child in K and 1st grade, and was told by both teachers that it was too early to tell. It wasn't, and I am glad we pursued an outside diagnosis at that time.

[HannaAddict]

Actually experts agree that dyslexia can be diangosed in children as young as K and 1st grade, because many of the symptoms associated with a dyslexic profile involve more than reading. Many states are passing laws requiring mandatory screening for dyslexia in these grades, instead of waiting until a child is far behind when they're older. OP, please know that I am not saying your child has it, and I wouldn't pursue an eval just based on what you are reporting. But if there are other concerns (http://www.bartonreading.com/pdf/Dys%20warning%20signs.pdf), and/or other family members had difficulty learning to read or write, I would. I had concerns about my child in K and 1st grade, and was told by both teachers that it was too early to tell. It wasn't, and I am glad we pursued an outside diagnosis at that time.

Experts don't agree, at least the well respected experts here. You can have an evaluation and it may help or may not, but the best people in our area do not diagnose at that age. The experts here who do consult and evaluate without formal diagnosis, do so when other factors come into play - especially family history. That is our good friends case. Not saying do nothing, but don't expect a valid evaluation at that age.

[hillview]

Is the evaluation done through school? If not, how did you find one in your area?
No we paid for it (it was about 2k) and I found them via some local mom boards, google search and asking an OT. Good luck! BTW our Children's Hospital also does them (I just found this out).

[OKKiddo]

Experts don't agree, at least the well respected experts here. You can have an evaluation and it may help or may not, but the best people in our area do not diagnose at that age. The experts here who do consult and evaluate without formal diagnosis, do so when other factors come into play - especially family history. That is our good friends case. Not saying do nothing, but don't expect a valid evaluation at that age.

I read this yesterday and I wanted to respond but I didn't want to anger or cause debate by responding. The more I think about it though the more I feel compelled to respond. The reason why is because your post contains the kind of wording and attitude that has parent's with possibly legitimate concerns jumping back and feeling like they're seeing something that isn't there (when they really might be picking up on something). I have encountered this same attitude from others along the diagnosis path for my DS1 who is on the spectrum as well as DS2 when he was recently diagnosed with communication disorder and labeled as being at high risk for dyslexia.

I think that if a parent has concerns and they're finding that their child has delays or issues in one or more areas (especially if they have a family history of delays) then they should pursue answers and help until they've found the answers and help needed or until they've had their concerns addressed and put to rest. As a parent you have an instinct that can't be matched or replaced by anyone and it shouldn't be discounted.

Saying an evaluation at kindergarten or first grade age wouldn't be valid is incorrect and misleading. Doctors, therapists, and schools can and do evaluate at that young of an age ESPECIALLY if there is a significant delay/issue and/or family history to warrant the evaluation. My son saw a well respected Developmental Pediatrician and I can assure you his degree and subsequent evaluation and diagnoses are valid. I feel very relieved to have had my concerns heard, validated, supported and to now have guidance on the path that we're on. I feel that my son will have a less bumpy road because of it too, and I'm thankful that I didn't shy away from the pursuit of answers when hearing commentary similar to yours and I hope that any parent with concerns will listen to their own intuition and instincts and not be hindered in their pursuit either.

Also, I think the book "Overcoming Dyslexia" by Sally Shaywitz M.D. has been recommended multiple times on this board, and others would agree it's a book from an expert (a valid, well respected expert) on Dyslexia. In the book it is HIGHLY recommended to NOT WAIT until later years for a diagnosis and that diagnosis, therapy, remediation and support can and should be given in the early grades (again with an evaluation, delay, and strong family history). In the book it is mentioned numerous times how we need to change the older idea of waiting for testing or delaying intervention because children do not grow out of dyslexia but instead they grow further and further behind.

I understand that OP may not have concerns about dyslexia but any other person reading this might have found commonality with the OP and have a struggling learner that they have concerns about. Again, I don't want to start an argument but I did want to give other parents the empowerment needed to act if they felt the instinct that something was amiss with their loved one.

[inmypjs]

Yes to the previous post. I'm not sure what experts are being referred to, but honestly many psychologists and even developmental peds do not know what to look for with dyslexia in that age. It's not that evals can't be valid - many just don't know what to look and test for. Experts in dyslexia ALL agree that it can be identified in K and 1st. There isn't any disagreement among them. And if I had taken that advice when my child was in 1st, we'd just be pursuing testing now, which would have been terrible for my son. We would have missed out on 2 years of help.

[niccig]

I had DS evaluated at end of grade 1 for phonological awareness delay. I was pretty sure DS's reading issues were due to this as I'm in grad school to be a SLP and was learning about it in class, it described DS to a T. His teacher was saying wait until 3rd grade. No way DS could be doing the 3rd grade work he does now if he didn't get reading help throughout grade 2. I wouldn't be rushing off for a very expensive evaluation straight away with a child in K, but I would start asking at school or elsewhere to see what my options are.

Personally, I would start with eval for phonological awareness delay. I did a paper on it for grad school, and it's a common problem impacting reading. The school's SLP should be able to do an evaluation. If it's not phonological awareness delay, then you can cross that off the list and look at what else it might be. If it is a phonological awareness delay and not something else, it's generally taught quite easily. DS's reading improved dramatically once he got help.

[HannaAddict]

I read this yesterday and I wanted to respond but I didn't want to anger or cause debate by responding. The more I think about it though the more I feel compelled to respond. The reason why is because your post contains the kind of wording and attitude that has parent's with possibly legitimate concerns jumping back and feeling like they're seeing something that isn't there (when they really might be picking up on something). I have encountered this same attitude from others along the diagnosis path for my DS1 who is on the spectrum as well as DS2 when he was recently diagnosed with communication disorder and labeled as being at high risk for dyslexia.

I think that if a parent has concerns and they're finding that their child has delays or issues in one or more areas (especially if they have a family history of delays) then they should pursue answers and help until they've found the answers and help needed or until they've had their concerns addressed and put to rest. As a parent you have an instinct that can't be matched or replaced by anyone and it shouldn't be discounted.

Saying an evaluation at kindergarten or first grade age wouldn't be valid is incorrect and misleading. Doctors, therapists, and schools can and do evaluate at that young of an age ESPECIALLY if there is a significant delay/issue and/or family history to warrant the evaluation. My son saw a well respected Developmental Pediatrician and I can assure you his degree and subsequent evaluation and diagnoses are valid. I feel very relieved to have had my concerns heard, validated, supported and to now have guidance on the path that we're on. I feel that my son will have a less bumpy road because of it too, and I'm thankful that I didn't shy away from the pursuit of answers when hearing commentary similar to yours and I hope that any parent with concerns will listen to their own intuition and instincts and not be hindered in their pursuit either.

Also, I think the book "Overcoming Dyslexia" by Sally Shaywitz M.D. has been recommended multiple times on this board, and others would agree it's a book from an expert (a valid, well respected expert) on Dyslexia. In the book it is HIGHLY recommended to NOT WAIT until later years for a diagnosis and that diagnosis, therapy, remediation and support can and should be given in the early grades (again with an evaluation, delay, and strong family history). In the book it is mentioned numerous times how we need to change the older idea of waiting for testing or delaying intervention because children do not grow out of dyslexia but instead they grow further and further behind.

I understand that OP may not have concerns about dyslexia but any other person reading this might have found commonality with the OP and have a struggling learner that they have concerns about. Again, I don't want to start an argument but I did want to give other parents the empowerment needed to act if they felt the instinct that something was amiss with their loved one.

I don't think I said not to do anything. But don't want someone spending thousands to determine there is nothing wrong when the age is younger than the age for a "valid" evaluation. Sort of like IQ tests and validity at a young age. I did not advocate for doing nothing and the OP's facts were very different than your situation. Glad it worked out for you.