It’s hard to imagine, but there are a large number of adults in America who have difficulty reading but are ashamed to admit it to others. The Center for people with developmental disabilities https://www.gccnyc.org/ provides a supportive environment for learning, acquiring, and developing communication skills. It is the place where adults suffering from mental illnesses, general developmental disorders, and other problems can get help.
The Counseling Center applies the right approach to each client, motivating them to achieve their goals. If someone in your community needs support, help them become more confident in their abilities.
5 basic steps to teach an adult with learning disabilities to read
Setting a goal is a start. Sometimes, teaching a person with a disability to read is not as easy as it may seem. It can be like talking to a child, but it is essential to consider age and personality. Before starting reading activities for people with developmental disabilities, it is important to:
- check how well your person knows the letters;
- make sure the person knows the sounds of each letter;
- start with words that an adult will be able to see (read) every day;
- teach CVC words to help with the pronunciation of each word;
- begin learning with books with a simple story, gradually progressing to a more complex level.
When buying literature, it is recommended to consider the age and hobbies of the person under your care. Such books will help fascinate him, and he will think less about reading difficulties.
General advice and recommendations
If you want to conduct teaching adults with developmental disabilities to read on your own, you should not be in a hurry. Do not be lazy to get advice from a specialized institution. It will make your communication much easier and more comfortable for both the person and you. Adhere to the following recommendations:
- Show restraint. It would be best if you gave your mentee some time. Be patient and be consistent in your teaching. You should never show your superiority to avoid embarrassing the adult student. Show by example how interesting it is to learn information from books, say the words several times, and show how they are spelled. Reading together will make it fun to spend time together.
- Gradually increase the volume of material. Do not immediately set yourself maximum goals. Beforehand, it is necessary to be sure of the mentee’s mood and achievements. If the dynamics are positive, start increasing the amount of reading material. You can begin reading with a few lines and end with a book of several hundred pages. Even a short amount of reading each day can lead to amazing results.
- Encourage a love of reading. You don’t want to grab the first book you come across. Ask what material would be interesting to your loved one. If necessary, do some research. Many dyslexic individuals have overcome their dislike of reading after being exposed to certain books. Research this issue further. Try to apply this knowledge to your case.
You can offer to read a book that you like. The main thing is to arouse the interest of the person who wants to learn to read. It dramatically increases the chances of a positive outcome.
Conclusion
Every person who does not know how to read has a different reason. Many have not received support from loved ones. Do not leave such people alone with their problems. Offer your help in a discreet, relaxed way. You can also go to a special center that supports people with developmental disabilities and allows them to acquire basic reading skills for learning disability. It is the right step for development. Allow your loved one to maximize his potential!
