MTA is a comprehensive, multisensory program in reading, spelling, cursive handwriting, and alphabet and dictionary skills.
Three teaching methods are integral to the MTA Program:

Multisensory techniques - presenting information visually, auditorily, and kinesthetically
Guided discovery - teacher presentations combined with a series of carefully structured questions to actively involve students in the learning process--a method that develops problem-solving techniques applicable to other areas of learning
Regularly scheduled reviews

All information presented in the program follows a process of introduction, review, and practice designed to enable students to master and retain the material. Each content area includes practice activities, arranged in ascending levels of complexity, enabling students to experience success while developing proficiency.
Students who are identified as having dyslexia are eligible for the program.
In order to have an assessment, the student's classroom teacher should schedule a meeting with the ASSIST Team.

Old Settlers Elementary is fortunate to have two MTA teachers this year - Mrs. Raunum and Ms. Stinnett.

See more about dyslexia at: www.interdys.org

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Results Released in 1994:
1. Dyslexia affects at least 1 out of 5 children in the United States.
2. Dyslexia represents the most common and prevalent of learning disabilities.
3. Some forms of dyslexia are highly heritable.
4. Dyslexia is the leading cause of reading failure and school dropouts in our nation.
5. Children do NOT outgrow reading failure or dyslexia.
6. Reading evidence does not support the use of "whole language" reading approaches to teach dyslexic children.
7. Reading failure caused by dyslexia is highly preventable through direct, explicit instruction in phonemic awareness.
8. Dyslexia is identifiable, with 92% accuracy, at ages 5-1/2 to 6-1/2.
9. Dyslexia and ADD/HD are two separate and identifiable entities.
10. Dyslexia and AD/HD so frequently co-exist within the same child that it is always best to test for both.
11. Early intervention is essential for this population.
12. Reading failure is the most commonly shared characteristic of juvenile offenders.

Dyslexia---What is it?
Simple Definition: Dyslexia is an inherited condition that makes it extremely difficult to
read, write, and spell in your native language despite at least average intelligence.

Revised definition from the International Dyslexia Association: Dyslexia is a
neurological disorder which interferes with the acquisition and processing of language.
Varying degrees of severity, it is manifested by difficulties in receptive and expressive
language, including phonological processing, in reading, in writing, spelling, handwriting,
and sometimes arithmetic.

Research definition used by the National Institutes of Health: Dyslexia is one of several
distinct learning disabilities. It is a specific language based disorder of constitutional origin
characterized by difficulties in single word decoding, usually reflecting insufficient
phonological processing abilities. These difficulties are often unexpected in relation to age
and other cognitive academic abilities. They are not the result of generalized developmental
disability or sensory impairment.

Dyslexia is manifested by variable difficulty with different forms of language, often including, in
addition to problems in reading, a conspicuous problem acquiring proficiency in writing and
spelling.

Common Signs of Dyslexia: K - 4th Grade Students

The difficulties noted below are often associated with dyslexia if they are
unexpected for the individual's age, educational level, or cognitive abilities. A
qualified diagnostician can test a person to determine if he or she is truly dyslexic.

1. May be slow to learn the connection between letters and sounds.

2. Has difficulty decoding single words (reading single words in isolation).

3. Has difficulty spelling phonetically.

4. Makes consistent reading and spelling errors such as:
Letter reversals - "d" for "b" as in: "dog" for "bog"
Word reversals - "tip" for "pit"
Inversions - "m" for "w," "u" for "n"
Transpositions - "felt" for "left"
Substitutions - "house" for "home"

5. May confuse small words - "at" for "to," "said" for "and," "does" for "goes."
"then" for "when" and vice versa.
6. Relies on guessing and context.

7. May have difficulty learning new vocabulary.

8. May transpose number sequences and confuse arithmetic signs (+ - x / =).

9. May have trouble remembering facts.

10. May be slow to learn new skills; relies heavily on memorizing without
understanding.

11. May have difficulty planning, organizing and managing time, materials and tasks.

12. Often uses an awkward pencil grip (fist, thumb hooked over fingers, etc.).

13. May have poor "fine motor" coordination.

.
Sources:

Basic Facts about Dyslexia: What Every Layperson Ought to Know -
© Copyright 1993, 2nd ed. 1998.
The International Dyslexia Association,
Baltimore, MD.

Learning Disabilities: Information, Strategies, Resources -
© Copyright 2000.
Coordinated Campaign for Learning Disabilities, a collaboration of leading US non-profit learning disabilities organizations. Used with permission.

Persistent Myths About Dyslexia:
In 1994, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released the results of their 14 year
longitudinal study and specific research projects. These projects have been independently
replicated, have yielded the same results. You will encounter the following myths frequently.

1. Dyslexia does not exist.
2. Dyslexia is a "catch all" term
3. Dyslexia is rare.
4. Intelligence and ability to read are related. Therefore, if someone doesn't read, they can't
be very smart. Gifted children can't be dyslexic or have learning disabilities.
5. There is no way to truly diagnose dyslexia.
6. Dyslexia cannot be diagnosed until a child is 8 or 11 years old.
7. Children who experience reading and writing problems in kindergarten through 3rd grade
will outgrow them. They're just slow.
8. Children outgrow dyslexia.
9. Dyslexia is a vision problem. Therefore, vision therapy and eye exercises will solve the
problem.
10. Dyslexia only affects children who speak English.
11. The way to help a child to read is to force him/her to read at least 20 minutes a day.
12. Dyslexia is an auditory problem.
13. Dyslexia can be "cured" by a speech and language pathologist.