As a parent in Houston, you’re fortunate to have access to the Neihaus Center, a beacon of hope and support for families navigating the challenges of dyslexia. Founded in 1980 by a group of dedicated parents, the Neihaus Center has grown into a vital resource, offering professional development for teachers, support for families, and unique programs for adult literacy. Understanding the center’s role and how it can assist your child’s journey is crucial for any parent seeking to provide the best possible support for their dyslexic child.
The Neihaus Center: A Comprehensive Resource for Dyslexia
The Neihaus Center began as a response to the lack of local training for dyslexia therapists, requiring families to travel to Dallas for help. Since its inception, the center has expanded its mission to include not only training for educators but also support for parents through its Family Support Office. This holistic approach ensures that both educators and families have the tools and knowledge needed to support children with dyslexia effectively.
Trust your instincts, seek out specialized resources like Niehaus, and remember, with the right support, your dyslexic child will be okay.
Empowering Teachers with Specialized Training
One of the cornerstones of the Neihaus Center’s mission is to equip teachers with the skills necessary to teach students with dyslexia. Following the National Reading Panel’s 2000 report, which highlighted the effectiveness of dyslexia teaching methods for all students, the center began offering classes in various aspects of literacy instruction. This includes vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, and handwriting, ensuring that teachers are well-prepared to meet the diverse needs of their students.
The first piece of advice I give you is it’s going to be okay. My daughter was diagnosed when she was 6 years old, she got through college in four years, she’s fine. – Mary Norris, Neihaus Center
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Adult Literacy Programs: Bridging the Gap
The Neihaus Center’s Adult Literacy Program stands out for its unique approach, employing dyslexia therapists as instructors. This program caters to a wide range of learners, from non-readers to those reading at a fourth-grade level or above. By focusing on foundational skills and offering classes like Basic Language Skills and Multi-Sensory Reading and Spelling, the center helps adults overcome the challenges posed by dyslexia, enabling them to achieve greater independence and success.
Key takeaways
- It's Going to Be Okay: Mary Norris emphasizes that it's important for parents to understand that their child will be fine. She shares a personal anecdote about her daughter, who was diagnosed with dyslexia at six years old and successfully completed college in four years. This reassurance can help parents feel more at ease and hopeful about their child's future.
- Trust Your Gut: Parents are encouraged to trust their instincts if they suspect their child might have dyslexia. Mary recounts her own experience of sensing something was wrong with her daughter a year before the diagnosis, highlighting the importance of parental intuition. She advises parents to advocate for their child, even if educators may not see the same struggles at school.
- Build a Support Network: Mary stresses the importance of connecting with other parents and resources. She mentions the Houston branch of the International Dyslexia Association, which offers a parent networking group and symposiums. Building a support network can provide parents with the necessary tools and emotional support to help their child navigate challenges associated with dyslexia.
Understanding Dyslexia Through Specific Needs
Dyslexia is often misunderstood, but it’s essential for parents to grasp its nature as a learning difference rather than a disability. The Neihaus Center’s approach aligns with the concept of Dyslexia, emphasizing that with the right interventions, children with dyslexia can thrive. The center’s programs are designed to address the specific needs of dyslexic learners, helping them build confidence and achieve their full potential.
Trust your gut because trust your maternal instincts, parental instinct. It’s when my daughter was diagnosed, I had been saying for a year there’s something wrong, there’s something wrong. – Mary Norris, Neihaus Center
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Harnessing the Power of Neuroplasticity
The concept of Neuroplasticity is central to the Neihaus Center’s approach. This principle underscores the brain’s ability to adapt and change, offering hope that with targeted interventions, children with dyslexia can rewire their neural pathways to improve reading and learning. The center’s programs are designed to leverage this neuroplasticity, providing structured, multi-sensory learning experiences that can lead to lasting improvements.
Struggling to support your child’s learning journey? Discover how the Brain Bloom System can help, offering targeted interventions that leverage the brain’s ability to adapt and improve, just like the programs at the Neihaus Center. Take action now to empower your child’s success!
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Your school district must evaluate your child free of charge if you ask in writing, whatever your income and whatever the outcome (US, 34 CFR 300.111 and 300.301(b)). That route takes time and answers a different question than you do. This one starts today, from what you already know.
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A screener is a starting point, not a diagnosis. If your child might need formal accommodations (an IEP or 504 plan), or you suspect a vision, hearing or medical cause, pursue a professional evaluation too. That is the only route to those supports.
