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The Key to Reading Confidence

Dec 23, 2014
 
 

Meet Joe, a college student struggling in his classes. Recently, he sat down to talk about his experience in school. “I can remember reading out loud in class and then not being able to answer the questions. Reading the words was no problem. But, then when I couldn’t answer the questions, the kids would laugh at me. The worst was that I had a teacher in high school that continually called me stupid…maybe I am. Am I?”

Joe’s problem with literacy isn’t that he can’t decode the words, it’s that he can’t comprehend the concepts. Telling him to “pay attention” or “think when you read” doesn’t help him. As Joe reads or listens to language, he processes “parts”-the in-one-ear-and-out-the-other syndrome. He remembers a few details, but he can’t get the big picture.

He has always had this problem, and not just when he reads. When he tries to follow directions and can’t remember all of them, he gets in trouble for not paying attention. When he tries to express himself, verbally or in writing, it comes out disjointed and out of sequence. When he listens to conversations or classroom presentations, it goes by him before he can get it. When he tries to participate in conversation he can’t make salient points because he spoke to the “parts” he processed. When he tries to think critically or problem solve, he is constantly frustrated. Though Joe can read and spell words, he has a language processing problem that has permeated the quality of his life and eroded his self-esteem.

Joe’s symptoms can be traced to his difficulty in getting the gestalt, the whole-necessary for processing language and thinking. Most importantly, his difficulty in getting the gestalt can be traced to his weakness in the sensory-cognitive function of concept imagery-the ability to visualize the whole.

While researching the relationship of imagery to comprehension and trying various steps to develop imagery, Nanci Bell, co-founder and director of Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes, discovered that individuals who had difficulty understanding could not connect the parts to form an imaged whole. Instead, they got “parts” -bits and pieces- and could not get the main idea, draw a conclusion, make an inference, or evaluate.

This processing of parts instead of the gestalt contributes to a range of symptoms, most of which Joe has experienced:

  • Weak reading comprehension
  • Weak oral language comprehension
  • Weak oral language expression
  • Weak written language expression
  • Difficulty following directions
  • Difficulty with critical thinking
  • Difficulty with problem solving
  • Weak sense of humor

Unfortunately, weakness in concept imagery can be a hidden problem in the field of reading. It is often misdiagnosed, and it interferes with processing both oral and written language. Those who do not have the problem cannot know how painful it is. Individuals describe it as feeling foggy, like when you go to sleep in a movie and then cannot put it altogether. They say that they have hidden the problem behind good social skills, noting when to smile appropriately in conversation or when to laugh at jokes they really didn’t get. They say that they go to tremendous lengths to cover this problem because most people just think they aren’t as bright or aren’t good listeners or communicators. A graduate from MIT said that when he was in class trying to grasp a lecture, it was as if someone was going along with an eraser and erasing the language before he could get it.

As we process information through our sensory system, concept imagery brings the sensory information together, enabling us to create the gestalt. And, the gestalt is a necessary piece for cognition. Furthermore, there is little question that imagery is directly related to cognition. Aristotle said, long before phonemic awareness was thought about, “It is impossible to think without a mental picture.”

For someone like Joe, the sensory system must be stimulated and taught to image and process the gestalt, enabling the higher order thinking skills of main idea, conclusion, inference, and prediction to be improved. Reasoning, logical thinking, problem solving, and perhaps even creativity can be developed.

Connect with us
🎙️ New Podcast Episode Alert! 🎙️
In this episode, Dr. Pasternack discusses the role of tiered intervention in preventing unnecessary referrals, the importance of teacher preparation and professional development, and the necessary components of effective literacy instruction. 
👂Listen now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
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#lindamoodbell #podcast #scienceofreading
Attention Educators! Join us this October in San Luis Obispo, California, for in-person Lindamood-Bell Workshops! 🌟
 
Discover evidence-based programs proven to help students with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism. Our approach, grounded in the cognitive science of learning, aligns with the science of reading and structured literacy.
 
📅 Register by 9/30/24 and enjoy a $100 discount on any workshop!
Use code: back2school100 at checkout.
 
✨Register today! ✨Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🚀 Unlock Your Child’s Potential with Lindamood-Bell Academy! 📚

Our unique sensory-cognitive approach helps students learn to their potential. We tailor learning to meet your child’s unique needs, in person or live online. Watch your child soar academically and build confidence like never before.

🌟Special Offer: Enroll now and enjoy 15% off a month of tuition!

Don’t miss this opportunity—visit our website for more details and start the journey toward success! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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📚 Join Us for a Special Live Parent Forum!
🗓️ Wednesday, September 25
🕖  10 AM PDT/1 PM EDT/6 PM BST

📍This Zoom event will also stream live on Facebook
 
Emmy’s mom, Alyson, will share how Lindamood-Bell’s online instruction helped her energetic kindergartener catch up in reading and spelling. Lindamood-Bell’s Director of Research and Development, Paul Worthington, will be on hand to review how student gains from online instruction are equivalent to gains from in-person instruction. ✨ Don’t miss this inspiring story! Register now. ✨ Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
📚 Tips for Students with ADHD
Attention challenges don’t always exist in isolation. Students with ADHD often face additional challenges with literacy and learning. At Lindamood-Bell, we provide personalized instruction that addresses the root causes of these difficulties.
✨ Special offer through September: Apply the cost of your evaluation to instruction! Plus, online students may be eligible for 20% off their first week.
💡 Discover more strategies and tips in our latest blog post! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Lindamood-Bell provides tailored instruction for students of all ages and abilities in reading, comprehension, and math.
🌟 Customized one-to-one sessions
🧑‍🏫 Available both in-person and online
📈 Effective for students with learning challenges, such as dyslexia, autism, and ADHD

👉 Help your child build confidence and achieve academic success. Discover more and get started today!

Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#lindamoodbell #autism #autistic #testimonial
Lindamood-Bell workshops prepare teachers to use evidence-based programs proven to help students with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism. Our approach, grounded in the cognitive science of learning, aligns with the science of reading and structured literacy.
 
📅 Register by 9/30/24 and enjoy a $100 discount on any workshop!
Use code: back2school100 at checkout.
 
Learn more and get started today!  Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
📚 Our Newton Learning Center recently welcomed Miss Massachusetts 2024, Kiersten Khoury, a former Lindamood-Bell student and passionate literacy advocate. Her inspiring journey with dyslexia made a lasting impression on our students.
Kiersten’s visit kicked off a book drive, a community initiative to foster a love of reading by collecting new children’s books for local literacy programs.
Visit our website to learn more and hear Kiersten’s incredible story—it’s sure to inspire learners of all ages! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
We’re honored to be part of your journey, Kiersten, and can’t wait to cheer you on as you continue to Miss America! 👑🎉
Students of all ages and abilities thrive at Lindamood-Bell Academy! 🎓✨

We tailor learning to meet your child’s unique needs with proven, evidence-based instruction, in person or live online. Watch your child soar academically and build confidence like never before.

🌟Special Offer: Enroll now and enjoy 15% off a month of tuition!

Don’t miss this opportunity—visit our website for more details and start the journey toward success! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#lindamoodbell #lindamoodbellacademy #testimonial
📚 Educators, Let's Partner for Success!
Looking to elevate your next teacher inservice? Partner with us and receive complimentary follow-up support all year long! 🌟
Our approach, grounded in the cognitive science of learning, aligns with the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy. It’s proven effective for all students—early learners, struggling readers, and those with dyslexia, dyscalculia, autism, and more.
🔍 Get the details and request a quote for your school or district today! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎧 New Podcast Episode! 🎧
Shelly, a Lindamood-Bell Academy parent, shares how she found the perfect school for her daughter, Brooklyn, who has dyslexia. Discover how our supportive environment helped Brooklyn thrive academically while nurturing her curiosity. ✨
Listen now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
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#LindamoodBell #LindamoodBellAcademy #podcast #dyslexia #testimonial
Lindamood-Bell offers personalized instruction in reading, comprehension, and math for learners of all ages and abilities. Our unique sensory-cognitive approach is proven effective for everyone, including students with dyslexia, autism, and ADHD.

👉 Discover how your child can achieve remarkable results, whether they attend in person or live online! Visit our website to learn more. Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
.
.
.
#lindamoodbell #dyslexia #testimonial
Attention Educators! Join us this October in San Luis Obispo, California, for in-person Lindamood-Bell Workshops! 🌟
 
Discover evidence-based programs proven to help students with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism. Our approach, grounded in the cognitive science of learning, aligns with the science of reading and structured literacy.
 
Whether you're a teacher, administrator, or private specialist, our workshops in reading, comprehension, and math are tailored to your needs. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your skills! ✨Register today! ✨
 
Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Unlock Your Child’s Full Potential with Lindamood-Bell Academy! 🎓✨

At Lindamood-Bell Academy, we tailor learning to meet your child’s unique needs using proven, evidence-based instruction. Watch your child soar academically and build confidence like never before.

🌟Special Offer: Enroll now and enjoy 15% off a month of tuition!

Don’t miss this opportunity—visit our website for more details and start the journey toward success! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
.
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#lindamoodbell #lindamoodbellacademy #testimonial
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