Montessori Conference Q3: Can You Really Help Adults Too?

Question 3: Can you really help adults who have dyslexia too?

Answer: Yes. Helping an adult with dyslexia is the same as helping a child. We use a phonetic approach to reading and spelling while teaching them how their brain works, so that their brain can start working for them and instead of against them.

Besides the letters, sounds, reading, and spelling that we teach, the most important aspect is actually learning new thinking habits. The dyslexic mind thinks in 3D, is fast, holistic, and creative. But written information is 2D, which requires a slower, sequential, and logical approach. Learning to switch from 3D thinking - the "gift" of dyslexia - to 2D thinking is the crucial step. We address this with our Reading Mantra: 'slow down, follow the reading direction, and touch each word'. This focuses the mind on 2D thinking and allows our reading tools (the letter and structure tools) to be applied successfully. The final crucial aspect is developing a Nonsense-Detector: noticing when something doesn't make sense, and then being able to address it. Understanding 3D vs 2D thinking, how to apply the Reading Mantra, and using your Nonsense-Detector, and how these three aspects work together, is the key to overcoming dyslexia and it can be taught to children and adults alike.