Page 6 - Martin Downs Bulletin - May '24

Page 6, Martin Downs

kids Corner

How To Identify Hidden Your child may have stealth dyslexia if he or she is very also tell you your child is not failing enough to have a
smart and can read but does not enjoy reading. Many of
learning disability. Some children are considered 2e or twice
Dyslexia these children don’t read for pleasure. Below are warning exceptional having giftedness and a learning disability.
signs of stealth dyslexia and be concerned if you identify You need an evaluation to understand if it’s actually stealth
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D. three or more when considering your child. dyslexia or something else so that your child is not punished
Stealth dyslexia is a • Underachievement relative to intelligence for something they can’t help.
lesser known form of • Inattention or apparent carelessness The above warning signs of stealth dyslexia are often
dyslexia that is hidden • Strong oral expression but weaker written expression in stark contrast to the gifts where these children excel.
dyslexia. Individuals with • Weak at sounding out unfamiliar words Children with stealth dyslexia are often great LEGO builders
stealth dyslexia are highly • Slower oral reading but stronger silent reading or Roblox and Minecraft designers because they have great
intelligent and compensate • Difficulty with spelling in everyday writing (not on tests) visual-spatial abilities and strong 3-D mental rotation. These
for their dyslexia. They • Messy penmanship children see the big picture. They have language strengths
learn to rely upon their • Excessive worry with communication and an extensive vocabulary. Children
outstanding visual memory, • Does not enjoy reading with stealth dyslexia are often interesting to talk to and can
intuition and ability to Some people might dismiss your concerns and instead carry on a good conversation because of their strong critical
use the book’s context to say your child is careless, not trying hard enough, or is an thinking and general knowledge.
bypass their reading weaknesses. Stealth dyslexia often underachiever. School staff may say that your child is too Call (561) 625-4125 to discuss your child or visit
goes undetected until fourth grade or later. smart to have a reading disability. The school staff may JimForgan.com.

Book Review

The Main Character on the Orient Express, are promoting. But in the case of The Main Character it
which was made into a is the most important element in the story line.)
By Nils A. Shapiro film more than once. Her The book gets its title from its theme: A famous
Many years ago I read readers will immediately bestselling author of murder mysteries, Ginevre Ex, has
a couple of the all-time recognize Goldis’s nod figured out that her biggest successes have come from
bestselling murder mystery to Dame Christie by stories based on real people’s lives. So she hires real
novels by Agatha Christie setting most of her own people and pays them to become the main characters in
and decided that this new novel on an Orient her books, interviews them extensively, then fictionalizes
literary genre was simply Express train! their lives in novels.
not my cup of tea. But that is where the Her newest main character, an American woman named
While my own personal similarities end. Where Rory, has just lost her job as an anchor person on a TV
reading tastes lean toward Agatha Christie’s story news show and, as a double blow, her boyfriend whom
nonfiction, especially follows the usual plot—a she was expecting to marry, has just broken up with her.
history and anything related murder takes place and Some time after Rory’s in-depth interview relating her life
to nature and a better understanding of the wonderful we must then try to figure story to Ginevre Ex, she learns that the author has gifted
animals with whom we share this planet, I do make it a out who committed the dastardly deed—in The Main her with a luxury trip through Italy aboard the sumptuous
point to review several novels a year in consideration of Character we are taken on a very different journey. Orient Express train.
this column’s readers’ more varied preferences. I won’t reveal any more about that because I don’t But when she boards the train, Rory is shocked to find
So, when a year ago I was urged to read a new want to spoil your fun. Instead, I am forced to use a that Ginevre Ex has also arranged for the most important
author’s first book, a murder mystery novel, I turned phrase here that I absolutely despise: Nothing on this people in Rory’s life to join her on that trip: Max, her
the first few pages reluctantly—but was then caught up ride is as it seems. (I once devoted an entire column to brother, whose pharmaceutical company is reportedly
in what surprisingly turned out to be an impressive and how much I hate that phrase, which is used to promote about to introduce an Alzheimer’s treatment drug that will
intriguing story that deserved a rave review and strong so many books and films by lazy advertising writers who
recommendation in my book review column. can’t think of more creative ways to describe what they Book Review on page 7
The name of that novel was The Chateau. Its author,
Jaclyn Goldis, is a young American woman who practiced Dyslexia, ADD/ADHD,
law in Chicago before leaving her job to travel the world and
write novels, and finally settle in Tel Aviv, where she writes
from cafes near the beach. She has now published her second Gifted Testing
novel, and it is clear that her first success will not be her last.
Now, having just finished reading The Main Character,
I am reminded of what impressed me so much about NOW OFFERING: Dr. Jim Forgan & Associates
Goldis, and why I had looked forward to her next book. • Jupiter & Stuart Offices
Rarely in any work of fiction have I come across a writer Licensed School Psychologist
who combines intricate and imaginative story lines with • Testing for Processing www.JimForgan.com
an innate ability to narrate perfectly—dialogue so natural, Problems, Anxiety,
and other actions related with such exquisite word choices Defiance (561) 625-4125
that for me the loveliest part of this reading experience • Weekend and After
was savoring the author’s writing style, prompting me School Appointments
many times to put the book down for a few minutes to
reflect on precisely that.
Fans of Agatha Christie will be well aware that one “Helping Parents Help Children”
of her most famous murder mystery novels was Murder

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