BUILDING READING-CONFIDENCE
CIGDEM KNEBEL, FOUNDER OF SIMPLE WORDS BOOKS
When Cigdem struggled to find decodable "big-kid" chapter books a dyslexic child could painlessly read, she began to write one herself for her son. Her mission is to improve fluency, comprehension, and most importantly, reading-confidence of dyslexic children. She believes that all children love to read. This is no different for children with dyslexia; they just need to find that right book for them. And Simple Words Books aspire to be those books.
Cigdem talked about dyslexia, how the dyslexic and a non-dyslexic brain reads, decoding, fluency and comprehension, building reading confidence & decodable chapter books.
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
MARIA TOGLIA, CERTIFIED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST
Maria has been a school psychologist working with students in early intervention through grade 12. As a parent of a child with a learning difference & ADHD, Maria not only has professional experience working on behalf of students and their families, but brings the perspective that comes with watching one’s own child struggle, advocating for him and supporting him through the educational process. Maria has a MS in Clinical Child Psychology and is a certified as a school psychologist.
Maria talked about dyslexia, signs of dyslexia, diagnosis/classification, benefits of early intervention, advocating for your child in the school system, dyslexia label, if and how to discuss dyslexia with your child, dyslexia: learning disability vs learning difference interventions: multisensory/OG based instructions, how to get continued support when the child begins doing well.
BUILD YOUR CHILD'S SELF ESTEEM
ELISHEVA SCHWARTZ, DYSLEXIA RESEARCHER & FOUNDER OF THE DYSLEXIA QUEST
Elisheva is a dyslexia researcher, mother, wife, intelligence re-definer and pod cast host. She’s on a mission to decode the dyslexic mind and empower parents of kids with dyslexia to fully understand the strengths and difficulties with concrete tools to support and unleash the potential of their children. Her academic background in cognitive science & education and her personal experiences with dyslexia allows Elisheva to bring a unique perspective.
Elisheva talked about building blocks of self-esteem & self efficacy, tools to support and grow self-esteem, how to connect vs control, self-compassion, growth mindset, mindfulness, Elisheva's personal journey with dyslexia and discussing dyslexia with the child.
NAVIGATING THROUGH SCHOOL SYSTEM
NANCY DUGGAN, CO-FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIR OF DECODING DYSLEXIA MA
Nancy is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Decoding Dyslexia (DD) MA. She participates in DD activities nationally as part of the leadership network of DD. She has a Masters in counseling and is a licensed school counselor, trained reading specialist including the Orton-Gillingham method, and a professional member of the IDA. She is on the advisory group for the International Foundation for Effective Reading Instruction and represents DD in the Coalition for Reading Excellence. She has done professional development programs in both dyslexia or differentiated instruction in many states including MA, NJ, CT, FL, IL, UT and NM.
Nancy talked about IDEA Law, essential components of reading, explicit and systemic instruction, building foundational reading skills, decoding, fluency, comprehension, IEP meetings, figuring out if the teachers have the right training to meet your child's needs, what if your child's school does not recognize "dyslexia", asking for the right support, evidence-based methodology.,
HOW RETAINING PRIMITIVE REFLEXES AFFECT BRAIN FUNCTIONING
KATHY JOHNSON, MS ED & FOUNDER OF POTENTIAL OF PYRAMID
Kathy works with children to help overcome related to school struggles and improve brain functioning. She trains and works with professionals and parents with kids with learning disabilities using the pyramid of potential system.
Kathy talked about primitive reflexes (PR), effects of retained PR and how to integrate PR, Moro (startle or embrace) Reflex, Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR), Spinal Galant Reflex, Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR), Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR), Palmar (Grasp) Reflex.
HEALTHY LIVING
KATIE YEVMENOVA, HEALTH & WELLNESS EDUCATOR
Katie was born and raised in Ukraine where holistic and natural way of life is predominant. After moving to the U.S., she realized that healthy diet and natural living is a big contributor to raising healthy families. She has co-founded a learning community for Young Living essential oil members, where she educates families how to incorporate essential oils in daily lives.
We discuss Christian’s story, how the Katie talked about functional and emotional sides of the brain, effects of diet, sleep, mediation, exercise and essential oils.
