I use the Barton Reading & Spelling System to teach students who have dyslexia or symptoms of dyslexia to learn how to read. I have found this system to be very effective and even used it when I taught students with visual impairments.
I have worked with students who others have given up on. Despite average intelligence, others have tried just about everything and nothing worked. I was determined these students could read and although it took longer, those students are now reading. People point to books on tape/cd/mp3/etc. as being these children’s only way to access any kind of literacy. Audiobooks have their place and they are wonderful for many reasons. However, listening to a book is not the same as reading it, whether it is in print, large print, or braille.
I have found that older students have lost their confidence in themselves with their inability to read the same curriculum as their peers. They hate school and use avoidance behaviors (getting up from their seat, making noises, running to the restroom, etc.) to avoid having to read in class. When they read, they stumble, are unable to use tone of voice as they go, don’t remember what they have read, and find the experience miserable. However, when I started using the Barton System with these students they slowly started to realize that they could learn to read and their outlook improved. I have had students ask to have more sessions with me so they would learn faster.
The Barton Reading & Spelling System isn’t magic. The students have to work at it and they have to be patient because they will not read fast or fluent right away. However, it does work and they will read. It is a true joy to work with this group of students and watch them blossom as readers.