Dyslexia Treatments:
Based on the Balance Theory

The dyslexia treatments below are referred to as hemispheric stimulation of the brain. Don’t worry it won’t hurt (much). Only joking hemispheric specific stimulation is easier than it sounds.

They first thought stimulating the right side of the brain worked for L-type dyslexics and stimulating the left was for P-types (click here for a full rundown of the balance theory).

Later research showed it didn’t matter which side of the brain was stimulated for either subtype. The main point was to only stimulate one side of the brain at a time (see evidence).

Types of stimulation:

Visual stimulation would involve flashing words to either side of the visual field while the participant focuses on a central point. However you need a special computer package to do this, so we’re not going to bother as it will probably cost loads of money.

You can also perform hemispheric stimulation through the ears. Again I’m not going to go into this one as it will probably cost money, and I can’t be bothered. Don’t worry though there are other ways to stimulate your brain.

How to stimulate your brain on a tight budget:

Method 1:

This type of dyslexia treatment is called hemisphere alluding stimulation. It is performed by reading text which is phonically and syntactically challenging. Obviously to get specialised text would be costly and time consuming. However there is an alternative in the form of the plays by William Shakespeare.

Now I understand that suggesting you read William Shakespeare may have made you take your computer monitor and flush it down the toilet. But reading Shakespeare is a great reading exercise for anyone, dyslexic or not.

Method 2:

This dyslexia treatment is a little unusual. It is still hemispheric stimulation, but through a tactile channel, (the hand).

You simply spend a little time each day touching and feeling the shapes of plastic letters. You must only use one hand, either the right or the left it doesn’t matter. Pick one and stick to it. I know this sounds a little silly but it has a lot of research evidence to support its effectiveness, so give it a go.

You can get the letters from any toy shop, or buy them online. I hope to be selling them on this website soon for as cheap as possible, but till then they’re not hard to come by.

My recommendation:

• With any of the methods above you need to try them for at least 3 months to see if they work for you. Please don’t start using them and then give up after a week or two it’s pointless.
• If one or more of them work for you continue to do it for another 3 months (6 months in total).

Conclusion:

So there you have it easy and cheap ways to stimulate your brain. Who would have thought science could be done on such a tight budget.

Like I always say though don’t make any of these exercises into a chore. If you do you probably won’t do them. I’m not saying you’re lazy. I’m saying, I’m lazy and that’s what I would do.

In terms of all the dyslexia treatments don’t try to do everything all at once. Rome wasn’t built in a day. However do try each of them in turn. Click here for more treatments and interventions.

Return from Dyslexia Treatments Based on the Balance Theory to Home Page.

Evidence for Hemispheric Stimulation:

Effects of visual hemisphere-specific stimulation versus reading-focused training in dyslexic children. .

Hemispheric, attentional, and processing speed factors in the treatment of developmental dyslexia. .

The Balance Model of Dyslexia and Remedial Training An Evaluative Study .

Neuropsychological Intervention in Dyslexia: Two Studies on British Pupils .