Tag: Lesson Series

Every Tuesday, we open up one lesson of the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program here on the blog, all 48 of them, one week at a time. Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or an education professional, this series shows you exactly what certified dyslexia trainers learn, and how the program works from the inside.

This week: Symptom Training in Language Arts. Letters, Words, and Real-World Use

Symptom training is the moment when preparation becomes performance: after attention and perception have been strengthened, we practice the actual skills of school. Letters, words, spelling, handwriting, reading, and short writing are worked through tight, repeatable cycles: model, guided practice, independent try, quick check. Often one word or one pattern per session, using all channels, so gains are accurate first and then fluent enough to transfer into daily classwork.

What this lesson is about

Symptom training is the “now we do it” phase of the AFS Method: after Attention and Function (perception) prepare the ground, we practice the actual skills, letters, words, spelling, handwriting, reading, and short writing. Using all channels (see–hear–say–write–mean), we target one concrete focus at a time, often one word or one pattern per session, and work it through a tight cycle: model → guided practice → independent try → quick check. Students highlight the tricky bit, tap and say sounds while writing, apply the rule or pattern, and use the word in a sentence; short reading aloud and micro-dictations reinforce accuracy. We track accuracy first, then fluency, so gains stick and transfer to classroom work, with parents easily joining in for brief daily practice.

Trainer note: Offer all six channels and encourage learners to combine them. Over time, each student discovers which mix is most effective, our goal is flexible, independent strategy use.

What you will learn in Lesson 13

• The practice cycle: model, guided practice, independent try, quick check
• Why one word or one pattern per session works
• Using all learning channels: see, hear, say, write, mean
• Getting gains to transfer into daily classwork

About the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program

Since 1997, more than 17,000 dyslexia trainers in 64 countries have been certified. The certification gives you more than knowledge: all the tools you need to actually work with dyslexic children are included as well. Worksheets, training programs, assessment materials, everything ready to use in your practice. You get the whole package.

The program is accredited by the American Dyslexia Association (ADA) and follows the training standards of the International Federation of Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Associations (IFDDA).

Catch up and start free

Lesson 1 is free for everyone. Register in a minute and see the program from the inside: dyslexiacertificate.com

You can find all published lessons of this series under the tag Lesson Series.

Every Tuesday, we open up one lesson of the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program here on the blog, all 48 of them, one week at a time. Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or an education professional, this series shows you exactly what certified dyslexia trainers learn, and how the program works from the inside.

This week: Training Tools and Resources. Trainer-Parent Toolkit

Weekly sessions set direction and quality, but short, consistent home practice is what consolidates skills. This lesson curates trainer-vetted tools and resources, shows how to hand them to families in a simple, achievable routine of about 20 minutes a day, and explains how each tool maps to the AFS framework. Small daily wins, added up, become measurable progress.

What this lesson is about

Effective dyslexia/dyscalculia support is a team effort. Weekly sessions with a certified trainer set direction and quality; short, consistent home practice consolidates skills and accelerates growth. The trainer’s job is to make home practice simple, specific, and achievable, about 20 minutes daily (and even 5–10 minutes consistently is a solid start).

This lesson curates trainer-vetted tools and resources, shows how to deploy them with families, and explains how each maps to the AFS framework. With the right tools and a clear routine, families can turn small wins into steady, measurable progress.

Effective support is a team effort. Alongside the certified trainer’s weekly sessions (typically once or twice a week), progress accelerates when parents provide short, consistent home practice. The trainer equips parents with clear, parent-friendly instructions for daily practice, so the child reinforces exactly what was targeted in sessions. Parents should aim for about 20 minutes of daily home practice; even 5–10 minutes done consistently is a solid start.

What you will learn in Lesson 12

• Building a simple, achievable 20-minute home routine
• Trainer-vetted tools and resources for families
• How each tool maps to the AFS framework
• Turning small daily wins into measurable progress

About the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program

Since 1997, more than 17,000 dyslexia trainers in 64 countries have been certified. The certification gives you more than knowledge: all the tools you need to actually work with dyslexic children are included as well. Worksheets, training programs, assessment materials, everything ready to use in your practice. You get the whole package.

The program is accredited by the American Dyslexia Association (ADA) and follows the training standards of the International Federation of Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Associations (IFDDA).

Catch up and start free

Lesson 1 is free for everyone. Register in a minute and see the program from the inside: dyslexiacertificate.com

You can find all published lessons of this series under the tag Lesson Series.

Every Tuesday, we open up one lesson of the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program here on the blog, all 48 of them, one week at a time. Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or an education professional, this series shows you exactly what certified dyslexia trainers learn, and how the program works from the inside.

This week: Sensory Perception Training. Visual, Auditory, and Spatial Foundations for Literacy and Numeracy

Reading, writing, and arithmetic depend on a network of sensory processes working together. When one of them is underdeveloped, the brain compensates, and that shows up as slow processing, fatigue, and avoidable errors. Function training strengthens recognition, memory, and sequencing in the visual, auditory, and spatial domains, preparing the brain to handle academic tasks more efficiently. This lesson covers every function area with practical examples and selection guidance.

What this lesson is about

Function training does not replace instruction in reading, writing, spelling, or math; it prepares the brain to handle those tasks more efficiently. As functions improve, students more readily recognize symbols, maintain order in words and numbers, follow instructions, and integrate information across senses. This lesson outlines each function area, shows how to implement function training for school-age learners (and why we limit preschool to F only), and gives practical examples and selection guidance for trainers.

Key Takeaway: Function training prepares the brain to handle academic tasks more efficiently by strengthening the sensory foundations of learning.

What you will learn in Lesson 11

• The visual, auditory, and spatial function areas
• Strengthening recognition, memory, and sequencing
• Why preschoolers train functions only
• How to select the right exercises for each profile

About the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program

Since 1997, more than 17,000 dyslexia trainers in 64 countries have been certified. The certification gives you more than knowledge: all the tools you need to actually work with dyslexic children are included as well. Worksheets, training programs, assessment materials, everything ready to use in your practice. You get the whole package.

The program is accredited by the American Dyslexia Association (ADA) and follows the training standards of the International Federation of Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Associations (IFDDA).

Catch up and start free

Lesson 1 is free for everyone. Register in a minute and see the program from the inside: dyslexiacertificate.com

You can find all published lessons of this series under the tag Lesson Series.

Every Tuesday, we open up one lesson of the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program here on the blog, all 48 of them, one week at a time. Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or an education professional, this series shows you exactly what certified dyslexia trainers learn, and how the program works from the inside.

This week: Attention Training. Building Focus for Learning Success

Attention is the foundation of all learning, and for dyslexic and dyscalculic learners, staying focused on letters and numbers is especially hard. This lesson explains what attention training is, how attention differs from concentration, and why situational inattentiveness around symbols is not the same as ADHD. It closes with a practical toolkit, including kinesiology-based exercises, to help learners reach and hold optimal focus.

What this lesson is about

Attention is a vital foundation for all learning. Without it, even the most carefully designed training cannot be fully effective. For learners with dyslexia or dyscalculia, maintaining attention on symbol-based tasks, such as reading, spelling, writing, or math, can be especially challenging. Attention training in the AFS Method addresses this challenge directly, using structured exercises to prepare the brain for focused work.

Attention training refers to structured, targeted exercises designed to help learners focus their thoughts and sustain concentration on a specific task over a period of time. In the AFS Method, attention training is one of the three core pillars, alongside function training and symptom training, because it addresses a key barrier to learning for many individuals with dyslexia and dyscalculia: the difficulty of maintaining mental focus on written symbols and numbers.

What you will learn in Lesson 10

• What attention training is, and how attention differs from concentration
• Why dyslexic learners lose focus around letters and numbers
• Situational inattentiveness vs. ADHD
• A practical toolkit, including kinesiology-based exercises

About the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program

Since 1997, more than 17,000 dyslexia trainers in 64 countries have been certified. The certification gives you more than knowledge: all the tools you need to actually work with dyslexic children are included as well. Worksheets, training programs, assessment materials, everything ready to use in your practice. You get the whole package.

The program is accredited by the American Dyslexia Association (ADA) and follows the training standards of the International Federation of Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Associations (IFDDA).

Catch up and start free

Lesson 1 is free for everyone. Register in a minute and see the program from the inside: dyslexiacertificate.com

You can find all published lessons of this series under the tag Lesson Series.

Every Tuesday, we open up one lesson of the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program here on the blog, all 48 of them, one week at a time. Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or an education professional, this series shows you exactly what certified dyslexia trainers learn, and how the program works from the inside.

This week: From Session Design to Home Practice. Using the Training Plan Effectively

A good training plan is a roadmap: it makes sure every session addresses attention, sensory function, and symptoms, while staying flexible for what the child needs on that particular day. This lesson covers session design, documentation, and progress monitoring, and shows how a plan generated from AFS-Test results guides the work from the most significant needs toward systematic improvement.

What this lesson is about

Effective training for learners with dyslexia or dyscalculia requires a structured yet flexible approach. Each session should address attention, sensory function, and symptoms, but the order and emphasis can vary depending on the child’s needs on that day.

Documentation is an essential part of the process, allowing trainers to monitor progress, adjust plans, and ensure that all areas are addressed over time. The training plan, whether written up manually or generated via the AFS Test, serves as a roadmap to guide the process, ensuring that interventions target the most significant needs first and build systematically toward improvement.

A training session should always include three components, attention training, function training, and symptom training, though the sequence does not need to be followed rigidly. Each session should begin with an activity that helps the child focus, but it may be necessary to return to an attention exercise later if focus is lost during other parts of the session.

What you will learn in Lesson 9

• How to structure a training session across attention, function, and symptoms
• Flexible emphasis: reading what the child needs on a given day
• Documentation that makes progress visible
• Using AFS-Test-generated training plans as your roadmap

About the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program

Since 1997, more than 17,000 dyslexia trainers in 64 countries have been certified. The certification gives you more than knowledge: all the tools you need to actually work with dyslexic children are included as well. Worksheets, training programs, assessment materials, everything ready to use in your practice. You get the whole package.

The program is accredited by the American Dyslexia Association (ADA) and follows the training standards of the International Federation of Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Associations (IFDDA).

Catch up and start free

Lesson 1 is free for everyone. Register in a minute and see the program from the inside: dyslexiacertificate.com

You can find all published lessons of this series under the tag Lesson Series.

Every Tuesday, we open up one lesson of the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program here on the blog, all 48 of them, one week at a time. Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or an education professional, this series shows you exactly what certified dyslexia trainers learn, and how the program works from the inside.

This week: From Understanding to Action. Roles and Strategies in the AFS-Method

Real progress happens when the child, parents, teachers, and specialists pull in the same direction. This lesson examines the unique contribution each person brings, and how the three components of the AFS-Method, attention training, function training, and symptom training, work together in practice. It also shows what happens when collaboration fails, and how trainers keep everyone motivated and aligned.

What this lesson is about

Supporting a child with dyslexia or dyscalculia requires more than isolated interventions, it demands a coordinated effort from everyone involved in the child’s learning journey. The AFS Method emphasizes that genuine progress is achieved when the child, parents, teachers, and specialists work together toward shared goals. In this lesson, we examine the unique contributions each person brings to the process, as well as the importance of building understanding, fostering motivation, and maintaining consistent communication. We also explore how the three components of the AFS Method, attention training, function training, and symptom training, form a comprehensive framework for effective, individualized support. Forging Understanding: Child, Parents, Teacher, Specialist It is crucial that a child with dyslexia or dyscalculia is met with understanding in their environment regarding their unique challenges. This understanding should primarily come from parents but also from teachers. The collaboration between parents, teachers, and specialists is essential. While understanding is a prerequisite, targeted support is an absolute necessity. However, effective support can only be successful if the child, parents, teachers, and specialists work closely together and complement each other.

If this collaboration is successful, the child will eventually experience progress, which can be observed as improvements in learning. However, if collaboration is lacking or ineffective, the child may develop psychosomatic symptoms or even significant mental health issues over time, and training success will be significantly delayed.

If secondary issues have already developed, additional professionals such as medical doctors, psychologists, or psychotherapists should be consulted. However, this should always be decided on a case-by-case basis, depending on the severity of the developed secondary dyslexia or dyscalculia. Each of the involved individuals plays a specific role in ensuring successful training: The Child Once a test or assessment has confirmed the diagnosis of dyslexia or dyscalculia, it is helpful to have an age-appropriate discussion with the child about their struggles. Many children feel a sense of relief upon receiving an explanation, as well as an interest in learning more about it. Often, for the first time, they realize that they are not simply lazy, difficult, or unintelligent.

What you will learn in Lesson 8

• The roles of child, parents, teachers, and specialists
• How attention, function, and symptom training work together
• Building motivation and consistent communication
• What happens when collaboration fails, and how to prevent it

About the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program

Since 1997, more than 17,000 dyslexia trainers in 64 countries have been certified. The certification gives you more than knowledge: all the tools you need to actually work with dyslexic children are included as well. Worksheets, training programs, assessment materials, everything ready to use in your practice. You get the whole package.

The program is accredited by the American Dyslexia Association (ADA) and follows the training standards of the International Federation of Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Associations (IFDDA).

Catch up and start free

Lesson 1 is free for everyone. Register in a minute and see the program from the inside: dyslexiacertificate.com

You can find all published lessons of this series under the tag Lesson Series.

Every Tuesday, we open up one lesson of the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program here on the blog, all 48 of them, one week at a time. Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or an education professional, this series shows you exactly what certified dyslexia trainers learn, and how the program works from the inside.

This week: The AFS-Test. A Comprehensive Educational Assessment Tool

The AFS-Test (Attention-Function-Symptom Test) is a standardized assessment used worldwide to identify dyslexia and dyscalculia and to plan effective intervention. It evaluates three areas: attention span, the sensory perception abilities underlying reading, spelling, writing, and arithmetic, and the concrete error symptoms a learner shows. This lesson explains its structure and application, and how to turn results into an educational report for parents, teachers, and professionals.

What this lesson is about

Dyslexia and dyscalculia can present significant challenges for children and adults, often impacting their academic and personal lives. Early identification and targeted support are crucial to helping individuals overcome these difficulties and reach their full potential. The AFS-Test (Attention-Function-Symptom Test) is a comprehensive, standardized assessment tool used worldwide to diagnose and plan effective intervention for those experiencing reading, spelling, writing, or arithmetic difficulties.

This lesson explores the structure and application of the AFS-Test, explaining how it evaluates the key areas associated with dyslexia and dyscalculia. By understanding the test’s methodology and its critical role in developing individualized training plans, educators and specialists can better support learners who require specialized instruction. The lessons concludes with how to write an educational report to summarize your findings for parents, teachers, and other professionals.

The standardized Attention-Function-Symptom-Test (AFS-Test) is used worldwide by countless educators in their work with people affected by reading, spelling, writing, or arithmetic problems. The test enables parents, teachers, and interested parties to gain better insight into the entire issue, diagnose a dyslexia/dyscalculia definitely, and is also an invaluable tool for training planning. Based on the test results, detailed individual training plans can be created that are tailored to the affected person’s problems.

What you will learn in Lesson 7

• The three areas of the AFS-Test: attention, function, symptoms
• How the standardized test is conducted and evaluated
• From test results to an individualized training plan
• Writing an educational report for parents, teachers, and professionals

About the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program

Since 1997, more than 17,000 dyslexia trainers in 64 countries have been certified. The certification gives you more than knowledge: all the tools you need to actually work with dyslexic children are included as well. Worksheets, training programs, assessment materials, everything ready to use in your practice. You get the whole package.

The program is accredited by the American Dyslexia Association (ADA) and follows the training standards of the International Federation of Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Associations (IFDDA).

Catch up and start free

Lesson 1 is free for everyone. Register in a minute and see the program from the inside: dyslexiacertificate.com

You can find all published lessons of this series under the tag Lesson Series.

Every Tuesday, we open up one lesson of the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program here on the blog, all 48 of them, one week at a time. Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or an education professional, this series shows you exactly what certified dyslexia trainers learn, and how the program works from the inside.

This week: From Errors to Insights. Understanding Symptom Patterns through Error Analysis

Every error a child makes in reading or writing is a window into how their brain processes language. This lesson walks through the full process of error analysis: cataloging errors, recognizing patterns, and distinguishing structural, phonological, and orthographic error types. Trainers learn to link these patterns to visual, auditory, or memory-related challenges, and to turn everyday mistakes into a precise map for targeted support.

What this lesson is about

Every error a child makes in reading or writing is more than a “mistake”, it is a window into how the brain is processing language. By examining these errors closely, trainers can identify which areas of perception and processing require targeted support.

This lesson walks through the full process: from cataloging errors in the symptom area to analyzing patterns. Trainers will learn to distinguish between structural, phonological, and orthographic errors, and to recognize when these are linked to visual, auditory, or memory-related challenges.

Most importantly, error analysis is not about labeling a child as “weak” or “failing,” but about uncovering the reasons behind their struggles. This understanding can then be transformed into a training plan that restores confidence and builds essential literacy skills.

What you will learn in Lesson 6

• How to catalog reading and writing errors systematically
• Structural, phonological, and orthographic error types
• Linking error patterns to visual, auditory, and memory challenges
• Turning everyday mistakes into a targeted support plan

About the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program

Since 1997, more than 17,000 dyslexia trainers in 64 countries have been certified. The certification gives you more than knowledge: all the tools you need to actually work with dyslexic children are included as well. Worksheets, training programs, assessment materials, everything ready to use in your practice. You get the whole package.

The program is accredited by the American Dyslexia Association (ADA) and follows the training standards of the International Federation of Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Associations (IFDDA).

Catch up and start free

Lesson 1 is free for everyone. Register in a minute and see the program from the inside: dyslexiacertificate.com

You can find all published lessons of this series under the tag Lesson Series.

Every Tuesday, we open up one lesson of the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program here on the blog, all 48 of them, one week at a time. Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or an education professional, this series shows you exactly what certified dyslexia trainers learn, and how the program works from the inside.

This week: Beyond Screenings and Assessments: Why Only Comprehensive Testing Reveals Dyslexia

A child can score average on an achievement test and still struggle every single day. This lesson explains why screenings, reading tests, IQ tests, and phonological assessments alone cannot diagnose dyslexia, and what comprehensive testing has to cover instead. Trainers learn to see what standard instruments miss, and why an incomplete assessment so often leads to the wrong kind of help.

What this lesson is about

Accurate identification is the foundation of effective dyslexia support, but not all assessments serve the same purpose. Screenings are valuable for highlighting children who may be at risk, but they do not provide a diagnosis and cannot guide an intervention plan.

Similarly, standardized reading and spelling tests, intelligence tests, and phonological assessments are often misused in dyslexia evaluation. These tools were never designed to diagnose dyslexia, and when applied in this way they frequently produce misleading or incomplete results. A child may test “average” on an achievement test while still struggling daily, or may score poorly on an IQ test and be misclassified as having low intelligence rather than dyslexia.

As trainers, it is crucial to understand both the possibilities and the limits of these tools. Recognizing their shortcomings not only prevents misdiagnosis but also ensures that no child is denied the support they need. This lesson introduces the most common screenings and assessments you will encounter in practice, while emphasizing the need for comprehensive evaluation methods that truly reflect the unique profile of dyslexic learners.

What you will learn in Lesson 5

• What screenings can do, and where they stop
• Why achievement and IQ tests are misused in dyslexia evaluation
• What comprehensive testing has to cover
• How incomplete assessment leads to the wrong help

About the Dyslexia Trainer Certification Program

Since 1997, more than 17,000 dyslexia trainers in 64 countries have been certified. The certification gives you more than knowledge: all the tools you need to actually work with dyslexic children are included as well. Worksheets, training programs, assessment materials, everything ready to use in your practice. You get the whole package.

The program is accredited by the American Dyslexia Association (ADA) and follows the training standards of the International Federation of Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Associations (IFDDA).

Catch up and start free

Lesson 1 is free for everyone. Register in a minute and see the program from the inside: dyslexiacertificate.com

You can find all published lessons of this series under the tag Lesson Series.