Kids who can’t read get help locally

Pictured: Jen Navicky—Director Children’s Dyslexia Center of Southeastern Ohio, and Dan Navicky, reading tutor. 

Jen Navicky, Director of the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Southeastern Ohio, described to the Byesville Rotary how her organization helps children who are struggling to read learn to be successful readers. She was accompanied by Dan Navicky, whom she described as her “Number 1 tutor.”

Navicky explained that some school systems are not able to provide the support some children need in order to learn how to read. Her organization provides 1 on1 support which can help a child conquer his or her reading problem. Once a child can read, they can begin to benefit from the lessons they are taught in school.

Navicky described dyslexia a developmental problem that shows up as a learning disability. At some point during pre-natal development, a dyslexic’s brain develops differently from someone who is not dyslexic. Neural maps comparing the brains of dyslexics with non-dyslexics clearly show a difference in how the brain processes images. Dyslexia does not affect intelligence. Many dyslexics have average or above average intelligence.

Navicky stated, “Reading is not a natural, pre-wired ability. It has to be learned.:” She went on to say that “…brains are plastic--which means that a brain can change and continue to develop,” and that means dyslexia can be overcome. Navicky uses an instruction program—called Orton-Gillingham—to help a child’s brain overcome the “glitches” caused by dyslexia. Tutors using the Orton-Gillingham system teach non-readers to recognize the connections between sounds and letters and use a multisensory approach to aid learning.

Navicky pointed out that to date the Dyslexia Center has provided tutors for 260 students. Some of her students have come from as far as Marietta. The Dyslexia Center is supported by Scottish Rite Masons and provides tutoring at no cost to children who have been diagnosed with dyslexia. The Cambridge center is one of only7 in the state of Ohio and the only one in southeastern Ohio. For more information about the program contact Jen Navicky, Director, P.O. Box 1825, 935 Wheeling Avenue, Cambridge, OH 43725-1825, 740-432-4110 , clctr@roadrunner.com.

Melinda Yerian, chair of the Pints for Polio event, reminded club members that the club’s event will be held at the Wagon Wheel in Buffalo on Wednesday, June 6, 5:00—8:00pm. This is a party for a purpose. Funds raised will go toward eliminating polio.

Connect with #ByesvilleRotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com , Twitter Byesville_Club, or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting. #6690