Using RocketReader to fight Dyslexia and other reading disorders

Reading disorders, such as Dyslexia and Meares-lrlen (Scotopic Sensitivity) Syndrome, affect a significant number of people. Dyslexia is the most common cause of reading difficulty - it is estimated that one in 10 children is dyslexic.

Being affected by a reading disorder can be a daunting and frustrating experience for a child and, if not properly addressed, might lead to low self-esteem and underachievement in adult life. At the same time, children with dyslexia are often characterized by above average intelligence, and can excel if given proper attention and assistance. History is full of examples of great people who have overcome dyslexia to achieve enormous success - George Washington and Albert Einstein being probably the most famous.

Research has consistently shown that people with reading disorders can benefit from specifically designed reading tuition and improve their reading skills and ability to process information at any age. However, the earlier the problem is diagnosed and addressed, the better chances of successfully overcoming it a person has. According to the International Dyslexia Association, 74% of the children who are poor readers in 3rd grade remain poor readers in the 9th grade. This means that they cannot read well as adults.

Fortunately, more and more research is being conducted into the field, and some proven methods of instruction and techniques that are effective in beating reading disorders have emerged. RocketReader online training uses the following special features and techniques to make reading instruction easier for dyslexics and other categories of people affected by reading difficulties:

• Choice of special preset exercise templates. You can control the appearance of your exercise window by picking from a selection of visual templates that automatically set the font colors, type face and spacing. The templates have been especially designed for users with various reading difficulties, such as dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, and visually impaired readers (as per RNIB's recommendations).
  
  
  

  Using contrast text/background color combinations to improve text readability has been supported by a number of studies (Arditi, A. 2003, Irons, P.2003).
  

• Custom colored texts and backgrounds. In addition to choosing from a variety of templates for exercising, RocketReader allows you to pick from a palette of contrast colors, or even set your own custom colors! It is now a well known - and researched - fact that people with reading difficulty often find that using colored eyeglasses and tinted contact lenses assists their reading. (Meares, O. 1980, Irlen, H. 1983, Wilkins AJ, 1993). The use of colored overlays - sheets of translucent or transparent colored plastic placed over a page - has also proven beneficial. (Wilkins, A.J.,1994, Tyrrell, R. et al., 1995, Wilkins et al., 2001)
  
  
  

• Wide selection of fonts. You can change fonts in all RocketReader exercises, and even in popup dialogs! You can also select the line spacing e.g. 1.5 spacing or 2 spacing.
  
  
  
  According to Irons, P. (2003), text should be at least 12 point and preferably with increased character spacing as these additional elements have been shown to reduce some of the visual disturbances.
  
  
• Displaying a limited number of words at a time. Flash, Grouping and Speed Training exercises all use the principle of displaying a limited number of words (starting with one word) at a time. In combination with the ability to control speeds, this gives you the total control over the pace of your exercise. This allows you to exercise "as fast as you can but as slow as you need to", which is consistent with the principles of the Orton-Gillingham approach.
  
  
  
  
• Training to better detect word boundaries. Some recent research (Florer F.L., Hunter-Khan J.M., 2000) suggests that changes in reading rate that result from letter spacing are attributable to the detection of word boundaries, and not the visibility of letters. RocketReader Flash and Grouping exercises train the reader's eye to better distinguish word boundaries, thus improving the fluency of reading.
  
  
• Full control over exercising speeds. You have full control over the speed at which the text is displayed.
  

• Readability Analysis. Allows you to determine the Grade Level of the texts you read, thus ensuring you practice on texts of adequate complexity (RocketReader Gold feature).
  
  
  

• Comprehension testing. Poor comprehension is a known problem associated with reading disorders. RocketReader exercises are followed by comprehension tests designed to measure how much a reader understood and remembered from the text that was read. This helps to ensure that increase in reading speed is accompanied by adequate comprehension rates.
  

• Structured, sequenced, repetitive exercising environment consistent with the Orton-Gillingham approach.

• Other benefits include rich selection of practice readings targeted at various age groups (age six to professional level), lesson statistics for teachers and parents, customizable "look and feel", and many more.