Every Dyslexic Child is unique

Above all, do no harm....

Dyslexia is simply a difficulty with learning to read. There are as many kinds of Dyslexia as there are children who are labelled with the condition. Left untreated, or incorrectly treated, the dyslexic child will likely experience loss of confidence and develop an aversion to reading and learning that will follow them into adulthood. This is why dyslexia is often called the silent disability.

Children of the Code, a non-profit organization dedicated to unravelling the social and psychological complexities associated with the dyslexic child says: ABOVE ALL, DO NO HARM.

Reading & Learning PATHWAYS is guided by the principles of this powerful site in our work with dyslexic students.

The core learning skills of memory, attention, processing and sequencing must be strong before reading becomes effortless. When tested, a dyslexic child or adult will most likely be identified as having one or more weak core learning skills.

PATHWAYS can identify which of these skills are weak and customize a program to strengthen them. The programs used by PATHWAYS not only develop the skills essential to become a strong reader (embedding similar phonetically based teaching principles as are found in Orton Gillingham instruction), but in a short period of time can empower the student to become a confident reader and independent learner.

Children of the Code and Mind Shame

"Warning: Protracted difficulty with learning to read can lead to cognitive habits and emotional aversions that endanger the general health of learning. Above all else, do no harm."

- Children of the Code

This non-profit organization has attracted a large number of international scholars who recognize that the current education system is failing a huge segment of school-age children. Despite the obvious outcomes of children who struggle with the written word, they believe the mind-shame that results from struggling with reading to be a far greater danger for these children. When young children realize they are not performing at the level of their peers, a devastating downward spiral is set in motion which more often than not results in social, emotional and academic failure.

Further reading on The Children of the Code web site

Children of the Code refers to the code of the written word with all its complexities, inconsistencies and anomalies. Their premise is that we are all Children of the Code and exist at a time in history when reading is relatively new to the human race. School curricula has evolved to teach a narrow majority of learners to read. It is estimated that a large minority of children do not process auditory and visual information in a way that enables them to learn to read effectively, that is, their brains are wired differently than the majority.

What do the following famous people share in common?

Benjamin Franklin
Merriam Webster
John Dewy
Dale Carnegie
Franklin Roosevelt
Charles Darwin
Mark Twain
Isaac Asimov

These men all recognized the deep flaws in the code of the English language and each one of them attempted to make inroads into changing the code to make the written word more accessible to all. The scope of their attempts to change the code included revisions to phonics, spelling, and the alphabet itself. Each of these men was thwarted in his attempt to effect change and each experienced the resistance of those who took the existing code for granted.

The Children of the Code sites staggering statistics that report that an average of 25 % of all U.S. 4th, 8th and 12th graders are below basic reading levels and that a shocking average of 64% of all 4th, 8th and 12th graders are below proficient levels.

Many of the scholars on this site believe that the science of neuroplasticity can empower struggling readers and learners to become proficient life-long learners.

Skills Assessment