Dear K.N.,
Your hunch about your daughter’s ‘hearing’ the sounds in words could well be valid, and could in fact explain her dyslexia. Quite likely your daughter has undeveloped Phonemic Awareness skills--the most likely source of reading problems. Phonemic Awareness training does not have to take a long time and should certainly be a part of her reading/spelling program. My challenge with the Lindamood program is its length.
It is important to have your child's hearing checked. The school nurse may be able to screen her hearing for you, or an audiologist could do a very thorough screening and, if necessary, evaluation. A speech/language pathologist or audiologist can check your daughter's ability to hear sounds in words.
For more fundamental auditory problems, such as poor auditory memory, poor ability to distinguish similar speech sounds, or unusually poor listening in noisy conditions, I would consider Fast ForWord (Language) first. Although many speech/language pathologists have been providing effective auditory training before Fast ForWord was developed, it is without a doubt the most powerful tool we have to offer for certain auditory difficulties. Fast ForWord is an intervention at the level of 'medical necessity' rather than the level of 'educational necessity.' That is, it attempts to alter a fundamental characteristic of the learner, rather than simply teach the learner as she is. Keep in mind that following Fast ForWord, students still require appropriate instruction in their area of academic weakness. Read more about it at this web site, and base your decision upon a professional analysis of your daughter’s needs
If Fast ForWord Language is not feasible, seek out another systematic auditory training program. Talk over your concerns with the speech/language pathologist and find out how she might be able to help.
To summarize, if your daughter has not had thorough, explicit auditory training, by all means see that she gets this assistance. I believe that auditory training is an advantage to all young students, not just those who experience difficulties.
The mind's ear and the mind's eye are both important for spelling in English. Along with improved listening skills, it will be important for your daughter to incorporate visualization in her spelling strategy. Read ‘Look At Spelling’ for more about the visual aspect of spelling in English.
Best Wishes,
Ruth Alice Jurey, M.S.
Speech/Language Pathologist
