Your Never Gonna Believe This Trick To Help Struggling Readers Improve Decoding

For many children who struggle with decoding and reading, one of the biggest hurdles is recognizing the most minor details in letters. Often, these are the differences between letters like b and d or g and q—two pairs of letters that are easily confused. When young readers fail to notice the tiny differences in the squiggly and straight lines of each character, it can slow down their progress in decoding words and reading fluency dramatically. But there’s a fun and effective way to address this issue: through games that train kids to focus on and notice details in images.

One Thing Many Struggling Readers Have in Common

Specialists have found that children struggling to decode and read fluently have something in common, less activity in the parts of the left hemisphere of the brain that are responsible for reading. Noticing detail is a left hemisphere function and can be stimulated to higher efficiency and detail recognition. Try it for a few weeks and see the difference. Even a fun game like the free download below can increase their ‘attention to detail’. It is fun but stimulates that part of their brain responsible for seeing tiny differences and details in things.

Reading Decoding Challenge When Small Detail Isn’t Recognized

Struggling readers often face difficulties when it comes to distinguishing between letters that look alike. This is especially true for letters such as b and d, which are mirror images of each other, or g and q, which have a similar shape but are reversed. These visual similarities can easily lead to confusion, making it harder for children to read words correctly.

The problem is compounded when children need to recognize these letters quickly while reading. If they confuse b with d, or g with q, it can affect their ability to decode words correctly, making reading a frustrating experience. Understanding the differences between all letters, though small, is a critical skill that all readers need to develop.

Why Small Details Matter in Reading Decoding

The ability to notice small details isn’t just about recognizing the differences between similar-looking letters. It’s a foundational skill that helps readers decode words and make sense of what they read. When children can distinguish between the wavy and straight lines in each character, sounding out words can improve greatly and help the word stick in their memory better.

This focus on detail helps children become more accurate and confident readers. By training kids to pay attention to the smallest differences in letters, they gain a better understanding of how to decode words efficiently, which ultimately helps them become more fluent readers. The ability to recognize these fine distinctions leads to fewer mistakes and smoother reading overall.

Using Games to Improve Reading Decoding

One of the best ways to help children develop better reading decoding is through detail oriented games. Not only are games enjoyable, but they also provide a low-pressure environment where kids can practice repeatedly without feeling stressed. Games designed to improve letter recognition help children focus on the small differences that make each letter unique. Here are a few types of games that can help:

1. Big Picture vs. Detail: Show the child a picture of a bigger area like a forest or a cityscape and ask what they see. After listening to their response, prompt them to notice smaller things, like the bird in the tree. Then prompt them to notice even smaller detail like the wing on the bird, or the pattern on the bird’s wing. This stimulates the detail part of their brain. Do this over with the same picture in the coming days and add new pictures. Notice how quickly they start to notice tiny details. After a couple of days, you can incorporate it into letter recognition activities.
2. Letter Sorting Activities: In this game, children are given a collection of letters and asked to sort them into groups. For example, they might group b, d, p, and q together, focusing on the small differences in shape that distinguish each letter. Sorting letters helps kids become more aware of the unique characteristics of each one.
3. Matching Games: A simple but effective game is matching letters that look similar. For example, children can match b with d, and p with q. This game challenges kids to identify small differences in letter shapes, improving their ability to recognize these differences in actual reading situations.
4. Find the Difference Puzzles: This classic game can be adapted for letter recognition by showing two images of a letter or word with slight differences. The child’s goal is to find those differences. This helps sharpen their visual discrimination skills, enabling them to pick up on small details that might otherwise go unnoticed.
5. Letter Hunts: A letter hunt involves searching for a specific letter in a pile of other letters. This game encourages children to focus on the distinct characteristics of each letter, helping them to become more familiar with subtle variations in letter shapes as they encounter them in words.

Why Games Are Effective for Struggling Readers

Games offer a fun, hands-on approach to learning that encourages kids to engage with the material. By playing these types of games, children practice recognizing small details repeatedly, helping them build both skills and confidence in their ability to read accurately.

The repetitive nature of games also plays a key role in reinforcing the recognition of small details. The more children play, the more likely they are to internalize the visual differences between letters, eventually recognizing them automatically as they read. Games also provide instant feedback, which can help children learn from mistakes in a constructive way rather than feeling frustrated or discouraged.

Conclusion

Helping struggling readers focus on the small details that make letters distinct is a key step toward improving their reading skills. Whether it’s understanding the difference between b and d, or g and q, training children to notice these subtle variations can significantly improve their ability to read accurately and fluently. Games that focus on these details not only make the process enjoyable but also help build a strong foundation for reading success. By incorporating fun and interactive games into reading practice, children can sharpen their focus, boost their confidence, and become more capable readers.

I have been asked why some primitive reflexes return after doing integration therapies. Also, why do some reflexes seem to get stronger before improving while doing the integration therapies?  I did some research because I was curious about it too. Previously, I had a daughter who showed no signs of the Landau until I got further into integrating her Moro. Then the Landau became very apparent and noticeable.

Primitive Reflexes Return During Integration

In researching this, I spoke to one of the greatest minds of our time on the subject, Dr. Robert Melillo. He uses and studies primitive reflex integration. As a matter of fact, he has for over 25 years now. Several studies have been done on his work that I will reference below for anyone who wants to get to know his work better. I learned from him and others that they can appear to increase while integrating properly.

Many children who have present primitive reflexes do not feel their own body well and have lower sensory responses. Therefore, physical or audible triggers, such as the ones we use to trigger a reflex response when testing, will not produce much response in their body at first. However, as they start to integrate those reflexes and their brains start to connect and respond on a higher level, there is a greater response to the triggers.

As a result, many take this higher response to the stimuli as a worsening primitive reflex response and discontinue their work. This is unfortunate because the integration exercises are often doing exactly what they should be doing, creating higher function in the brain and body. Therefore, many reflex integrations are discontinued when they should have persevered a little longer and seen them fully integrated.

The Exception

However, there are times when a reflex becomes stronger to a slight degree. This happens when doing hemispheric integration to the wrong side. In hemispheric integration, the clinician uses sensory stimulation to one side of the brain to help with an underactive hemisphere.  It is important when doing one-sided stimulation to get it right. If the clinician mistakenly diagnoses the child with an underactive left side, further stimulation to the right side can increase the reflex. If he is correct in the side he stimulates, there will be an immediate reduction in the response to the reflex trigger. This is shown beautifully in this YouTube video wherein Dr. Robert Melillo was recorded showing this example after one of his conferences. Check it out.

Primitive Reflexes Reappear After Integration

Some have seen primitive reflexes reappear after complete integration. This can have several answers.

First, were they truly and completely integrated? Many see them diminish and parents stop the therapy shortly after. They can become almost unnoticeable during integration. We do the exercises for an additional month after there is no sign of them.

Second, it helps to look at the person as a whole. What were other struggles in their life? Were they ADHD, Autistic, ADD, had Sensory issues? Are those worsening again as well? This is a clear picture as to the health of the neurological connections in the brain. My daughter with ADHD did great for a couple of years after integration and hemispheric stimulation. As she approached puberty, she seemed to be having some of her old problems again.

I had to revisit some of the reflexes and hemispheric integration exercises again. This was explained to me in this way: The underactive or overactive neurons that contributed to the initial issues may have become slightly under or overactive again as the brain matured. This caused some underconnectivity in the brain and allowed some re-appearance of symptoms again. Even though it was on a much lower level, it did need some follow up treatment.

Third, and less common. In some children and adults, there is true brain degeneration or damage that will cause the return of reflexes. Such is the case with stroke, dementia, seizure disorders that cause brain damage or other brain degenerative diseases. Furthermore, trauma to the brain, such as injury or abuse, can also cause a reappearance of the reflexes.

Conclusion

With this said, reappearance of the reflexes should only happen in isolated circumstances. In other words, if integration is done correctly and completely, they are usually gone for good. If you’re a clinician who sees reappearance of reflexes a lot, try doing the exercises longer and use different methods of testing after a few months of exercise.

Check Out Our Primitive Reflex Integrtion Training

Harvard Study on Dr. Robert Melillo’s Melillo Method which includes primitive reflex integrtion

Persistent Childhood Primitive Reflex Reduction Effects on Cognitive, Sensorimotor, and Academic Performance in ADHD Dr. Melillo and Dr. Leisman 2020

Resources on Primitive Reflex Integrtion

Primitive Reflex Integration for your physical therapy patients can make a world of difference in a short time. Primitive Reflexes have been found to cause neurological underdevelopment which affects the body’s movement, behavior, development, vision and sensory processing. Find out what they are and how to Integrate Primitive Reflexes.

What are They?

Primitive Reflexes are the special reflexes that develop in the brain stem before birth. This set of involuntary Primitive Reflexes help the baby with positioning in the womb, birthing, the first breath of life, feeding, urination etc. Most of these Primitive Reflexes go away through the first year of life as higher functions of the brain and muscle control develop.

If the reflexes remain, they interfere with the neurological organization of the brain which causes learning, behavioral, social, sensory and health problems. These remaining reflexes are unnoticed muscle movements in older children and adults that would not normally be noticed if one did not know what to look for. They cause ongoing issues until they are solved through exercises.

Retained Landau Reflex

Retained Moro Reflex

What Can Be Done?

If any of them remain past 12 months, they are called Retained Primitive Reflexes and they are a problem. There are simple exercises that can solve each one. This process is called Integrating Primitive Reflexes. Once they are integrated through these little exercises, many Learning Disabilities, Behavioral, Sensory Disorders, and health issues disappear or are greatly improved. You need to check for each of them, even if your child is not displaying the usual symptoms. If one remains unnoticed, it slows improvement in cognitive function. We will soon be adding information on Retained Babinski Reflex.

Symptoms when Primitive Reflexes Remain:

Because Primitive Reflexes start at the base of the brain. Functions that try to develop above them don’t wire properly. It can cause or contribute to:

Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Asperger’s

Hemispheric Imbalance

Sensory Disorders

Hyper Activity

ADHD

Speech Disorders

Social Disorders

Asthma

Dyslexia

Dysgraphia

Dyscalculia

Immune Problems

Other Health Issues

Other Learning Disabilities

This is the first thing to check for. They can solve a multitude of problems. Other therapies or Brain Stimulation such as Hemispheric Integration Therapy, work best if Retained Primitive Reflexes are integrated or are being exercised first or at the same time.

How did this happen?

There are many children and adults that for one reason or another still have one or more Primitive Reflexes remaining. Some causes may include a traumatic birth, lack of “tummy time”, too much time laying in seaters or swings, induced labor, and traumatic C-Section birth. Most of the time, there is not a known reason.

Fear not. These are simple assessments and exercises that can be done 10 minutes per day for a few months. Then stimulate the other brain functions with these cognitive exercises and the Disabilities often go away or symptoms improve amazingly. Click on the individual pictures above to see the tests and exercises.