Reading Comprehension
My son, Sabuk, is a high school sophomore. He has confided in me that he has reading problems. He finds that he often spaces out while reading a sentence and has to go back and read it again. He finds that it takes him more time because of so many rereads needed to finish the story or instruction.
So, I thought I'd ask this forum for advice.
I know that I've taught myself to focus on the subject at hand by kinda getting pissed at myself if I stray off the path. If I find that I'm hearing the birds twittering or I'm smelling the roses, I'm not focused enough and again push myself to get thru this. I found that, although I was a lot angrier during the day, I would stay thinking about the work at hand and finish it quickly and accurately. Is this compulsive behavior? I don't know. But, it kept me getting work. I would always be done quickly.
So, that's how I've dealt with this problem, personally. I'm not sure that I want to present this approach to Sabuk. Does anyone have another method or way of staying focused on the subject when one is reading? Oh yeah, the subject matter doesn't seem to matter much. If he is reading instructions for a new video game, he finds the spacing happening as much as reading a History textbook.
How does one change this attitude about reading? Being open-minded to the external events is important - like if there's a fire nearby or an earthquake happening. But, one learns to prioritise events in the background mind. I guess life teaches one to pay attention to the road when one is driving. He will be getting his driving permit soon. This might help.
Any comments?
So, I thought I'd ask this forum for advice.
I know that I've taught myself to focus on the subject at hand by kinda getting pissed at myself if I stray off the path. If I find that I'm hearing the birds twittering or I'm smelling the roses, I'm not focused enough and again push myself to get thru this. I found that, although I was a lot angrier during the day, I would stay thinking about the work at hand and finish it quickly and accurately. Is this compulsive behavior? I don't know. But, it kept me getting work. I would always be done quickly.
So, that's how I've dealt with this problem, personally. I'm not sure that I want to present this approach to Sabuk. Does anyone have another method or way of staying focused on the subject when one is reading? Oh yeah, the subject matter doesn't seem to matter much. If he is reading instructions for a new video game, he finds the spacing happening as much as reading a History textbook.
How does one change this attitude about reading? Being open-minded to the external events is important - like if there's a fire nearby or an earthquake happening. But, one learns to prioritise events in the background mind. I guess life teaches one to pay attention to the road when one is driving. He will be getting his driving permit soon. This might help.
Any comments?
Comments
When reading material that is just packed full of facts, I found that I have a tendency to dwell on facts and what significance they might have, and that was forcing me to have to re-read certain paragraphs, (when resuming reading) to assure that I didn't skip content.
this was very time consuming as well.
What worked for me was to plan to read all materials twice. Once, straight through, just to get a feel for where the important stuff might be, placing book marks wherever I thought important concepts might lie, and not worrying so much about mastery the first time through.
then, after I knew what was in the chapter/assignment, I'd go back later to digest key concepts and memorize important facts.
For instance, suppose I was reading a book about UFO's because I was interested in their extra terrestrial aspect, but the author drifts into this lengthy discussion of USOs, I find that I sometimes can read through a half dozen pages of this "fluff" and not recall a stitch of it.
There are other non drug regimes you can find if you find he does have ADHD. Scientology claims they can fix ADHD without drugs. So do many other groups. Diet is often claimed to effect attention disorders. Sugar is often claimed to be a cause.
The best way to change someone's mind about reading is to give them books about things they are passionately interested in. If that doesn't work, there is a cognitive problem.
It must have reverted, I still cannot post Ritaliq.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQ3R
Edit: I am using Ritalin in a sentence.
We have a precarious relationship about school. He likes the help and energy I can add
to stay on track. But, he also is ready to rebel, so I need to use reverse psychology