Dyslexic And Un-stoppable

Summer Help For Struggling StudentsSo your child is struggling in school.  You're doing everything to help him - extra classes, exercises at home, whatever you can.  It can be so frustrating.  And of course you don't want to show that frustration to your child.  So this is the first episode in our series, 3 Steps When You're Frustrated With Your Child's Progress At SchoolSummer Help For Struggling Students

4 Steps To Help Your Struggling Reader This SummerSo we're at the end of June.  Summer seems to be flying by.  Hopefully you and your children are having fun, enjoying the weather and relaxing.  As we talked about in a previous episode, it is also important to incorporate reading classes and learning into the summer, especially for the child with dyslexia.  This helps keep the learning momentum and makes sure your child doesn't slip back too much this summer.But what do you do if you haven't already started reading classes or working with your child on spelling, reading and writing?  What if you've been too busy having fun and relaxing (after all, that's what summer is for, right)?In this episode there are some tips to help you get back on track and start some reading and other exercises, without too much resistance from your child.Need more help for your child this summer?  Check out our free video series:4 Steps To Help Your Struggling Reader This Summer

Three Biggest Mistakes When Your Child Is Struggling In SchoolRecently we watched a documentary on Susan Boyle, the unlikely winner of the show Britain's Got Talent.  While watching the movie, we realized the similarities between Susan's life experience and children with dyslexia.  It all comes down to The Power Of W-O-R-D-S.  We discuss it in this episode, how Susan believed she had no talent because she was continually told that she had nothing to offer the world.  It is the same with your dyslexic child, the words that parents, teachers, and coaches use when they talk with children help define that child's self worth.To grab our free video on 3 Big Mistakes To Avoid When Your Child Is Struggling In School, click the link below:Three Biggest Mistakes When Your Child Is Struggling In School

Summer Help For Struggling Readers It's summer time!  The kids are having fun and enjoying their free time.  This is the perfect opportunity to allow them to explore interests to help improve their self-esteem.  As I discuss in this episode there are many ways to do this:Camps - There are so many different camps with different themes.  I discuss an engineering camp that our son loves.  You can find similar camps in your area.Sports - Finding a sport that your child loves is a great way to boost self-esteem.Art - Art is another excellent creative outlet for dyslexic children.There are so many other options. Take advantage of this time to help your dyslexic child rediscover his inner power.Summer Help For Struggling Readers

Three Biggest Mistakes When Your Child Is Struggling In SchoolWhen your child is struggling in school, it can feel overwhelming.  You don't know where to turn.  Who can help you find the right services for you child?  In this episode we discuss one of the opportunities we offer, to have a personal Skype conversation with us and get all your questions answered.  Possible topics you can discuss on your Skype conversation are:Help with reviewing testing you have had done for your childHelp with how to approach the school to get the appropriate servicesHelp deciding what programs are available in your area and which one    would be right for your child.To take advantage of this deal, visit:Consult With Dr. CurtissIn the meantime, download our free video series:Three Biggest Mistakes When Your Child Is Struggling In School  

How To Evaluate Reading ProgramsIt's summer!.  The kids are done with school.  Time to have fun!Of course, for the child with dyslexia, there needs to be a little work this summer also.  Your child may need to:Take specialized reading classesPractice spellingWork on math factsPractice fine motor skillsGo to speech therapySo how can you fit these classes in with all of the other summer activities like camps, swimming, sports and family travel?In this episode we provide you with some easy ways to make a schedule that your child can live with that will keep the momentum going into next year.If reading classes are in the plans for the summer, check out our free checklist:How To Evaluate Reading Programs

Three Costliest Mistakes Even Smart Parents Make When Their Children Are Struggling In SchoolWhat should you do when you first find out your child has dyslexia?  If you just found out that your child has dyslexia, you may not know where to turn next.  So in this episode I outline some simple steps to take right after you find out your child has dyslexia1. Talk to your child - Some people may argue that you shouldn't tell your child she has dyslexia.  We think it's always a great idea.  Your child already knows that something is up.  Having an answer as to what it is, will put her mind at ease.  Plus it will give you a chance to reassure her that you are going to help her through it.2. Talk to your child's teacher - Whether you decide to pursue special education services through a formal IEP or not, letting your child's teacher can help in many ways.  It allows you to receive accommodations through a 504 plan.  Your child's teacher will also work with you to find ways to make your child's education experience

How To Evaluate Reading Programs For Your Dyslexic Child  In this episode we talk about how to evaluate reading programs.  With the end of the school year upon us, it's time to think about the summer.  What activities is your child going to do?  Are you going to be doing any traveling?  How are you going to plan the carpooling?  If your child is dyslexic or struggling with reading, you also need to schedule in some reading classes.Summer is a great time to help your child catch up, but you want to make sure that you find the right fit when it comes to a reading class.  You don't want to waste precious time on a reading program where your child makes little progress.  In this episode you'll learn how to evaluate reading programs so that you find the one that is going to make the most impact for your child.  To download the checklist so that you can properly evaluate reading programs, click the link below:How To Evaluate Reading Programs For Your Dyslexic ChildTo find an Orton-Gillingham program near you, visit

10 Surprising Symptoms Of DyslexiaIn this episde I discuss some of the unusal symptoms of dyslexia.  As mentioned in the episode sometimes dyslexia can take the form of unusal symptoms.  Parents may be looking for reading problems or "writing backwards".  Since these may not be major features of their child's challenges, they may miss the bigger picture.  Since one of our biggest goals is to help  you "connect the dots" to realize when seemingly unrelated symptoms, might be caused by dyslexia,. in this episode we discuss 3 Unusual Symptoms of Dyslexia.To download the whole list of the 10 Most Surprising Symptoms of Dyslexia, click the link below.10 Surprising Symptoms Of Dyslexia 

http://www.dyslexicandunstoppable.com//three-steps-when-child-strugglingIt's the end of the school year and kids are starting to get Spring Fever.  They're looking forward to the summer fun. In this episode I give 3 tips on how to keep your child motivated until the end of the year.  This is especially important for dyslexic children who need to continually work to overcome their challenges.As promised, in the episode, you can download our free video series, "3 Mistakes Smart Parents Make When Their Children Are Struggling In Elementary School" 

http://www.dyslexicandunstoppable.com/3stepsIt's the end of the school year.  Summer is just around the corner.  Some kids are feeling a little spring fever.  However this is about the time that some parents are getting that phone call from the school that their child may not be able to progress to the next grade.How can you make sure you don't get that call?  Take preemptive action.  Call your child's teacher now.  Find out how your child is progressing.  Make a plan to work on any weaknesses.  The goal is to make the transition to next school year as smooth as possible.To check out the fee video series we mention, "Three Steps When Your Smart Child Is Struggling In School", visit http://www.dyslexicandunstoppable.com/3steps

 Need help for your struggling reader? Watch our free video series: Five Steps To Take When Your Child Is Struggling In School Another Life Hack For Dyslexia – this one for spellingOne of the biggest struggles for children with dyslexia is spelling.  It can be difficult for them to master spelling.  Then even after they seem to know a spelling word, they forget it in just a few days.  So how can you help them learn spelling and make it stickMemory devicesIn this video we discuss some simple memory devices to help make spelling easier for your child. Need help for your struggling reader? Watch our free video series: Five Steps To Take When Your Child Is Struggling In School 

 Need help for your struggling reader? Watch our free video series: Five Steps To Take When Your Child Is Struggling In SchoolYour 5th Life Hack For Dyslexia is:  Use TechnologyAs computers have become more advanced and new tools have come out, there is more technologies to help your dyslexic child with fine motor skills than ever before.  In this video we give you some examples of technology that can help your dyslexic child master fine motor issues.  Some of the technologies we discuss include:Dictation software – to allow your child to use a computer without having to type.Learning Keyboarding – You can use free online sources (including free videos on YouTube) to help your child learn how to type.  Typing can allow your child to more easily express his ideas.  Also the teacher will appreciate a neater, more easy to read assignment.Livescribe Pen – not described in the video.  Records what the teacher is saying while your child is taking notes.  You can find out more about this technology here. Need help f

We’re switching gears for our 4th Life Hack for Dyslexia.This time we’re talking about math.Among the many challenges that dyslexic children face, math may not seem so obvious.  Still there are many areas in math that can be difficult for children with dyslexia.  These includeMemorizing math factsSpeed of calculationsReading and understanding word problemsMaintaining memory of skills previously learned.In this video we discuss another issue, this one particularly related to fine motor skills.  Since children with dyslexia also can struggle with writing, they can have errors in math that have nothing to do with the math itself.As we explain in this video, because their writing can be messy and not aligned correctly, they can misalign the digits of a larger number and then get an error in their computation.This is an especially frustrating problem since they usually get the computations right.  Yet because of  a simple aligning issue they get the final answer wrong.  As we explain in this video a simple hack to

Is Your Smart Child Struggling In School?Free Online Class Helps You Figure Out WhyIt’s the 2nd half of the school year.  For most children in early elementary school are beginning to master the skill of reading and some are getting into longer and longer books.  Yet for some children, the mastery of reading eludes them.  In every other area of their lives, they seem smart, witty, and engaged, but when it comes to reading it’s a different story.  When asked to read, these children will sometimes:Become resistant and refuse to do the workFidget and look inattentiveRub their eyes and act tiredBecome emotional and crySo what can a parent do if you find yourself in this situation?  One thing is for sure: you don’t want to “wait and see”.  The longer you wait to do something, the further behind your child can fall and the more his self-esteem can suffer.Now is the time to take action to help your child.So we’ll be starting a free tele-class, entitled, “10 STEPS TO TAKE WHEN YOUR SMART CHILD IS FALLING BEHIND IN SC

 Need help for your struggling reader? Watch our free video series: Five Steps To Take When Your Child Is Struggling In SchoolLife Hack For Dyslexia #3 Gives You Some Tips To Help Your Dyslexic Child’s Fine Motor SkillsIn this Life Hack we switch course a bit.  In previous episodes (Click here and here), we help you find ways to get around your child’s fine motor difficulties.  In this video we give you a simple way to improve your child’s fine motor skills.  The most obvious way to improve your child’s fine motor skills is to see an Occupational Therapist (O.T.).  An O.T. will help your child with therapy to improve strength and dexterity.  Then the O.T. would give you exercises to do at home.So what is the issue with this approach:You have to find time between school, extracurricular activities, and reading classes to do these activities.Sometimes children can find these exercises tedious and may resist them. So what’s a better approach:Make It FunFind activities that your child loves to do.  For our son it

 Need help for your struggling reader?  Watch our free video series: Five Steps To Take When Your Child Is Struggling In School Life Hack For Dyslexia #2 – The Right ClothesThis is the second in our video series of Life Hacks For Dyslexia to help your child conserve energy for what is important, such as mastering the reading and writing.In this video we discuss another energy leak that you can help your child close. It involves getting your child the right clothes.  Since many children with dyslexia also have fine motor difficulties, they can struggle with:ShoelacesZippersButtonsSnapsBeltsThese issues may seem unimportant, but they can cause undue stress for you child.  For example when your child has to get dressed after gym and make it to her next class on time, stressing about getting her shoes tied is the last thing she needs.  So with a little planning ahead, you can help alleviate this stress and make your child’s life that much easier.Need help for your struggling reader?  Watch our free video series: 

Not sure if your child has dyslexia? Check out 10 Surprising Symptoms Of DyslexiaFine Motor Skills and DyslexiaAt first look, they may not seem related.  However, we have found that many children with dyslexia also struggle with fine motor skills.  Helping alleviate these fine motor issues is important.Why is this important?  Because when your child is trying to overcome dyslexia and is working hard to improve his reading and writing, he is expending more energy than the average child.  The last thing he needs to worry about is stressing about his difficulties with fine motor skills.  So this series of videos will help you plug these energy leaks so your child can concentrate on the more important issues.The First Life Hack For Dyslexia is: Finding The Right PencilHow can the right pencil help?Often children with dyslexia also have dysgraphia and find the physical act of writing to be exhausting.If your child is more comfortable with writing, he may write more.He will be less likely to resist writing.If he wr

When your smart child is struggling in elementary school, it can be overwhelming.You may not understand why your child is having so much trouble at school.  At home you have a smart, engaged, funny, inquisitive child who loves learning.  However when she gets to school, you start getting phone call from the teacher about:How she is far behind the other childrenHow she can’t sit stillMaybe even about behavioral issues she is having.So what can you do about it:In this video we discuss one of the opportunities that we, at Dyslexic AND UN-Stoppable, offer parents just like you.  In talking to the many parents at book signings, on webinars, and at speaking events, we have come to realize that many of you just don’t know where to turn.  So, as we mention in this video, one of the opportunities we offer you is a Skype conversation.  Some of the benefits of a conversation with Dr. Curtiss:  – One-on-one attention to get your specific questions answered  – Help with reviewing testing you have had done for your child 

Not sure if your child has dyslexia?  Check out 10 Surprising Symptoms Of DyslexiaCrowd Out The Bad With The Good So what do we mean by that?  Many times when parents are trying to improve their children’s health and nutrition, they begin to focus on all of the bad aspects of a child’s diet such as:PreservativesAdded SugarColoringArtificial flavorsArtificial sweetenersHigh Fat FoodsParents then begin to eliminate these ingredients one-by-one.  As a result their children begin to feel as if they are being deprived of the foods they like.  No matter how many times you tell your child that these foods are not good for them, they still want to eat them.  As a result mealtime can become a battle.So what’s the solution?As we discuss in the video, a better solution is to begin to add in one new healthy food every four to five days. To do this find a list of foods you would like your child to eat:More fruits and vegetablesWhole grainsNatural foodsLean meat and fishetc.Then just start to add one of these new foods to