Dyslexia Games Affordable Educational Resources For Reading Challenges

Dyslexia Games represents a unique approach to addressing reading challenges through a series of workbooks designed to tap into the creative strengths of dyslexic learners. Developed by Sarah Janisse Brown, who is dyslexic herself, this educational program offers an alternative to traditional methods that often rely on memorization, flashcards, and repetitive drills. The program is structured as a series of game-based workbooks that gradually introduce reading skills through art and puzzles, making the learning process engaging and natural for students who struggle with conventional teaching methods.

Understanding Dyslexia Games

Dyslexia Games is fundamentally different from traditional reading programs in that it focuses on students' talents rather than their weaknesses. The program recognizes that many dyslexic learners possess strong visual and spatial thinking abilities, which can be leveraged to develop reading skills. Instead of forcing students to learn through methods that may not align with their cognitive style, Dyslexia Games uses art, puzzles, and pattern recognition to create new neural pathways for literacy.

The workbooks are designed to be almost completely student-directed and self-explanatory, requiring minimal parental involvement. Students are typically assigned 3-5 pages per day, with each session lasting approximately 15 to 20 minutes. This approach contrasts with many other dyslexia therapies that require extensive parental supervision or regular tutoring sessions.

The program operates on the principle that if a child does not learn the way we teach, we should teach the way they learn. By activating the right brain through creative and puzzle-based activities, the program aims to naturally overcome symptoms of dyslexia, including letter reversals, poor spelling, messy handwriting, concentration problems, and reading confusion.

Structure and Content of the Program

Dyslexia Games is organized into different series tailored to specific age groups and ability levels:

• Series A: Designed for children aged 5-8 who are struggling to read three-letter words consistently
• Series B: Created for children aged 8-12
• Series C: Developed for teens and adults who continue to struggle with reading

Each workbook presents students with increasingly challenging activities while introducing them to the complexities of written language through simple word games and poetry. The pages include art games, pattern games, and puzzles that require students to tap into their natural problem-solving skills and unique intelligence.

The program begins with activities that might seem unrelated to reading, such as art and 3D drawings. These elements gradually incorporate symbols, letters, and numbers as part of the artistic exercises. Over time, the art and puzzles transform into reading activities, with the ultimate goal of having the right brain take over the task of reading. As students progress, the drawings are replaced with normal words, sentences, and poetry, eventually weaning them away from the artistic elements as their reading skills develop.

Benefits of the Dyslexia Games Approach

The program offers several advantages over traditional dyslexia therapies:

1. Affordability: Dyslexia Games is positioned as the lowest-cost dyslexia therapy that works. Many alternative therapies cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, making them inaccessible to some families. The program's affordability aims to provide access to more families who need help with reading challenges.

2. Ease of Use: The workbooks are designed to be almost completely student-directed and self-explanatory. This reduces the burden on parents, who simply need to ensure their child completes 3-5 pages per day. This contrasts with other therapies that are highly parent-intensive or require regular tutoring.

3. Engagement: The program is designed to be fun for children, reducing the resistance that often accompanies traditional therapy. Many students find the activities enjoyable because they feel like art and puzzle games rather than educational exercises. The puzzles gradually transform into letters, words, and sentences, maintaining engagement throughout the learning process.

4. Efficiency: A full set of Dyslexia Games typically takes only 2-3 months to complete, after which students can resume normal schoolwork. The program's developers note that parents should observe a marked improvement with a reduction in symptoms upon completion.

5. Guarantee: The program comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee. According to the developers, over more than a decade and tens of thousands of customers, they have been asked for refunds only about 50 times, indicating high satisfaction rates.

How the Program Works

The methodology behind Dyslexia Games is based on the understanding that dyslexic learners often excel at visual and spatial tasks. The program begins with activities that leverage these strengths, using art and puzzles to activate the right brain. These activities gradually incorporate reading elements, with the brain learning to process written language through its natural creative pathways.

The workbooks are designed to be intuitive, with students rarely needing help from parents or teachers. This independence allows students to progress at their own pace while developing confidence in their abilities. The program aims to build new brain connections for literacy, enabling even older children, teens, and adults who have struggled for a long time to quickly develop the mental skills needed for success in reading, writing, and spelling.

As students progress through the program, they transition from artistic and puzzle-based activities to more traditional reading and writing exercises. By the completion of Series B, students are typically able to engage in normal schoolwork and can read black letters on white pages without the confusion that previously characterized their reading experiences.

Available Resources and Formats

Dyslexia Games is available through Fun-Schooling, which offers a range of educational resources. The program includes physical workbooks as well as digital PDF versions. The PDF workbooks can be printed repeatedly for use within a single household, providing flexibility for families who may have multiple children or who want to revisit certain exercises.

The Fun-Schooling bookstore offers over 200 PDF workbooks, including the complete Dyslexia Games series. This extensive collection allows families to select resources that best match their child's specific needs and learning style. The availability of digital formats also enables immediate access to the materials, which can be particularly beneficial for families seeking timely intervention.

Limitations and Considerations

While Dyslexia Games offers an innovative approach to addressing dyslexia, it's important to note that the program is not a complete reading curriculum but rather a therapeutic intervention designed specifically for dyslexic learners. Students who complete the program will still need to develop broader reading skills through additional resources or instruction.

The program also requires consistent daily engagement, with students completing 3-5 pages per day for 2-3 months. This level of commitment may be challenging for some families, particularly those with multiple children or demanding schedules.

Additionally, while the program is designed to be self-directed, younger students may still require occasional guidance from parents or teachers. The extent of necessary supervision may vary depending on the child's individual needs and learning style.

Comparison with Traditional Approaches

Traditional dyslexia interventions often focus on phonics instruction, multisensory techniques, and intensive repetition of basic skills. These approaches can be effective but may feel like "work" or "therapy" to students, leading to resistance and frustration.

Dyslexia Games differs from these traditional approaches by: - Avoiding grueling memorization, flash cards, boring textbooks, and endless repetition - Leveraging the creative and visual strengths common in dyslexic learners - Making the learning process feel like play rather than therapy - Gradually transitioning from visual activities to reading rather than starting with direct phonics instruction

This alternative approach may be particularly appealing to students who have struggled with or become disengaged from traditional methods. By tapping into their natural abilities and interests, the program aims to build confidence and create positive associations with reading.

Conclusion

Dyslexia Games offers a distinctive approach to addressing reading challenges for dyslexic learners of all ages. By focusing on students' creative and visual strengths rather than their difficulties, the program aims to naturally develop reading skills through engaging art and puzzle activities. The structured yet flexible format, combined with its affordability and ease of use, makes it an accessible option for many families.

While the program is not a comprehensive reading curriculum and requires consistent daily engagement, it provides a specialized therapeutic intervention that may be particularly effective for students who haven't responded well to traditional methods. The 60-day money-back guarantee also allows families to assess the program's effectiveness with minimal financial risk.

For parents seeking alternative approaches to help their children overcome reading challenges, Dyslexia Games represents a promising option that aligns with how many dyslexic learners naturally process information and develop skills.

Sources

1. Dyslexia Games Official Website
2. Fun-Schooling Dyslexia Games Page
3. Thinking Tree Collection Page
4. Fun-Schooling Bookstore - All PDFs
5. How Dyslexia Games Work