My son has been in a special reading program for two years but he still is
not reading and behind his peers. He will be going to a different school
next year who does not have specialized reading groups but he will get
help with reading through special ed.
I have read quite a bit about fastforword. It is program that helps with
reading but also adresses prossessing issues, something that is a big
problem for my ds. My son also has documented problems telling sounds
apart - which is something else fastforword would help with. It is a
program proven to work with asd kids.
I have heard that it is used in some schooldistricts but my district has
never heard of it (small district). I also asked my insurance about it and
they said they believe it to be a good program but since it is adressing
educational issues they will not provide or cover it.
So - since it is a scientific program that would address the educational
needs of my son who has not been doing that great with the program
they provided - Can I request that the schooldistrict provide it for my ds?
How do I make that request?
Yes, you can request anthing that can help. I hear this is a great help. Daniel did Lexia which moved his up and they sell a home program also. The cost on this one is around 160.Tell them in a ard meeting or send them v a fax you want this for the child. What your describing to me is capd which is a type of dyslexia. Our 2 kids have the same problem I see here. This also helped Daniel's spelling.
Capd is where the brain doesn't process all what the ears hear.
IDEA 2004 now REQUIRES that school districts use research-based, peer-reviewed reading programs to help kids make progress. Your best bet is to get your child tested using your own outside evaluator (reading specialist) and to show up at an IEP meeting with a professional recommendation of a methodology and also a full reading testing that give current levels in all reading skill areas. Then, the school must implement a reading methodology that will show, using objective testing, that your child has actually made progress this next year. They don't have to use the recommended methodology, but the have to monitor progress regularly. If your child doesn't make progress SOON, they have to continue trying research based methodologies until he DOES show objective progress on standardized tests. To learn more, you can get lots of info at www.wrightslaw.com
Yes, FastForward was designed for use with kids with auditory processing difficulties that can make learning to read harder. It's not a methodology that is easily implemented in school, tho I hear they now have a school version. The CLASSIC specialized reading program for kids who are having difficulty learning using the phonics approach is Orton-Gillingham. Wilson is another multi-sensory approach that has been shown to work. But these programs must be used by teachers who are specially trained to use them. An excellent sight reading program that often works wonder with developmentally disabled kids is Edmark. It's been around forever and has a long track record. A reading specialist who is used to testing kids on the spectrum would be your best bet for recommendations.