5 Ways Fast ForWord Boosts Confidence and Reading Skills in Children with Dyslexia

For children with dyslexia, reading and learning can feel like daunting challenges. Dyslexia
affects the brain’s ability to process language, making traditional learning methods less
effective. However, innovative programs like Fast ForWord are changing the game, providing
evidence-based strategies to improve reading skills and boost confidence.

At The Learning Lab, we’ve seen firsthand how Fast ForWord® can empower children with
dyslexia, offering them the tools they need to thrive academically and socially. Here are five
ways this program makes a difference.

1. Improves Auditory Processing

Auditory processing is the brain’s ability to interpret and make sense of the sounds we hear. For
children with dyslexia, this skill is often underdeveloped, leading to difficulties in distinguishing
similar sounds or recognizing patterns in spoken language.

How Fast ForWord® Helps:

• Exercises focus on improving how the brain processes and identifies sounds, such as
  distinguishing between “b” and “d” or short and long vowel sounds.
• This enhanced sound discrimination directly impacts the child’s ability to decode words,
  a foundational step in reading.

2. Faster Processing Rates

The speed at which the brain processes information (processing rates) is another area of
difficulty for many children with dyslexia. A slower processing rate can make it harder to follow
along in conversations, comprehend spoken instructions, or read fluently.

How Fast ForWord® Helps:

• Activities are designed to gradually increase the complexity and speed of auditory and
  visual tasks, training the brain to process information more quickly.
• Real-time adaptive feedback ensures children can keep up without feeling overwhelmed.

3. Strengthens Recall and Memory

Both working memory and long-term memory are essential for reading and learning. Dyslexia
often makes it difficult to retain and recall information, whether remembering how to spell a word
or following multi-step instructions.

How Fast ForWord® Helps:

• Exercises specifically target memory skills, such as recalling sequences of sounds,
  words, or visual patterns.
• Repetition and interactive games reinforce memory pathways, making it easier for
  children to retain what they learn.

4. Improves Sequencing Skills

Sequencing is the ability to understand and recall the order of sounds, words, or events. This
skill is vital for phonics, decoding, and reading comprehension. Children with dyslexia may
struggle with sequencing, leading to jumbled words or sentences.

How Fast ForWord® Helps:

• The program uses targeted exercises to train children to recognize and reproduce sound
  sequences, like identifying the order of syllables in a word.
• Visual and auditory cues reinforce the correct sequence, building a foundation for
  stronger reading and writing skills.

5. Builds Core Literacy Skills

Reading and literacy are the ultimate goals of Fast ForWord, which combines all the skills above
to create confident, capable readers. Dyslexia often disrupts the ability to decode words,
comprehend text, and read fluently.

How Fast ForWord® Helps:

• The program builds on auditory processing, memory, and sequencing to strengthen
  phonemic awareness and decoding skills.
• It also introduces comprehension exercises encouraging children to practice reading for
  meaning rather than just sounding out words.

Why Choose Fast ForWord at The Learning Lab?

Backed by over 300 peer-reviewed studies, Fast ForWord® is a proven solution for children with
dyslexia. It’s designed to address the root causes of reading difficulties rather than just the
symptoms, making it a long-term investment in your child’s success.

While other providers offer Fast ForWord®, The Learning Lab sets itself apart by integrating this
program with our deep educational expertise and a holistic approach to student success. Here’s
what makes us different:

1. Immediate, Expert Intervention: As educators, we go beyond simply offering Fast
   ForWord®. Our team is equipped to address social, emotional, and academic needs
   without needing further referrals. This means we can step in with targeted interventions
   as soon as a challenge is identified, ensuring no time is lost in supporting your child.
2. Daily Monitoring and Customization: We meticulously monitor each student’s
   performance on Fast ForWord® exercises daily, analyzing the detailed data reports
   generated by the software. This allows us to pinpoint specific areas where your child
   may need additional support and tailor interventions accordingly.
3. Educational Expertise in Action: Unlike generic providers, we use our expertise to
   interpret the data and implement highly targeted interventions instantly. For example, if
   the reports indicate difficulties in phonemic awareness, we can seamlessly integrate
   Orton-Gillingham-based programs like the Barton Reading & Spelling System or
   Foundations in Sound.
4. Comprehensive, Multi-Layered Support: Our unique combination of Fast ForWord®
   and additional academic programs ensures your child receives well-rounded support
   tailored to their learning style. This synergy of tools and expertise helps unlock your
   child’s full potential by strengthening foundational cognitive skills while addressing
   higher-level academic challenges.

If you’re ready to see how Fast ForWord® can benefit your child, contact us today to schedule a
consultation.