Specific Hemispheric-Routing-TAK/v to Teach Spelling to Dyslexics

Abstract

A revised concept of multimodality, multisensory instruction is suggested to deal primarily with the severe spelling difficulties of the dyslexic and of others with a similar language problem. The visual modality, as in VAK and VAKT, is seen as the problem and not the remedy, with remediation taking place in spite of its use and not because of it. Suggested instead is an approach based on the tactile modality. The recent identification of an oculomotor deficiency in dyslexics is cited. The authors propose a temporary cutoff of the use of the visual modality by blindfolding, and then the development of a brain strategy based on scanning the letters of unknown words with the fingers rather than with the eyes. More narrowly, they also propose the use of the fingers of one hand only, based on current theories of hemispheric specialization. The entire technique is described as "Hemispheric-Routing-TAK/v." In experimental use, subjects showed superiority in immediate recall when only the left hand was used but not in delayed recall. The procedure is not presented as supplanting older methods but as an extremely tardy recognition of the potential for variation in the use and nonuse of the modalities to meet the needs of increasingly idiosyncratic nonlearners.