F.A.Q.
1. What is dyslexia precisely ?
Dyslexia is an extreme form of “language weakness”. Dyslexia = the need to think how to spell words and be able to read and write them without mistakes. Dyslexia is a lack of language structure which is noticeable in the spelling practices of the child through repetitive and uncontrollable spelling mistakes.We find this same weakness through a hesitant, arduous and unsure readingstyle. The fact of encountering such tough difficulties for reading and writing prevents the natural spelling automatism to develop efficiently. It becomes incomplete and arduous. For these children, the method of traditional school education is insufficient.
2. How does dyslexia appear ?
Dyslexia and language weaknesses will manifest themselves in the spelling practice of the child in form of spelling mistakes that the child cannot control, even after continual correction.
3. From which age one can clearly say that a child suffers from dyslexia ?
Dyslexia appears and develops as soon as the child starts to write.
4. Can you clarify for us the difficulties a dyslexic child can encounter in his environment ?
A dyslexic pupil quickly loses confidence because he is always underperforming. These pupils work very hard, but obtain poor results. It is impossible for them to reach their true potential. These school difficulties often push the dyslexic pupil to give up the course that gives them the most difficulties, or even drop out of school. It is often the beginning of absenteeism. Dyslexia creates a feeling of powerlessness and illness in the dyslexic child. Symptoms: discomfort, curling up in a ball, nausea, headaches and stomach-aches, obstinacy, rebellion and hyperactivity.
5. Can dyslexia be at the origin of a bad left/right coordination?
Dyslexia could be the cause. When correcting dyslexia, the left/right coordination usually adjusts as well.
6. What suggestions would you offer about the progression from oral to written language?
It is very important that a child does not begin to read too early, it is advisableto start between the ages of 6 ½ to 7.
- To remediate the problem effectively it is of primary importance to establish the link between what the child hears, sees and must write.
- It is important to concentrate on what the child controls already: language. The school age child can speak because he can ask questions and use affirmative sentences.
- To be efficient a good teaching method must respect the child’s natural development and function:
This is to say use small steps between each phase; speaking, reading and writing, as a child always learns better by taking small steps. Read first, write afterwards. The child’s writing develops more easily when he already recognizes the patterns and shapes of the letters, because forming a letter without understanding the letter’s meaning, bothers the child’s sense of logic.
- As soon as possible direct the parents towards DYSEUROPE www.dyslexia-europe.co.uk
- Help the dyslexic child to relieve himself from stress and pressure in the classroom.
- Avoid recopying material in which the dyslexic child made mistakes. This is completely useless! The dyslexic student needs a response which explains and helps them adapt to the errors they make.
- Don’t confront the dyslexic child with his difficulties by questioning him in from the class. Freeing the dyslexic child from guilt and doubtis important in order to preserve their self confidence.
- NEVER INSIST on training which does not work for that child. The dyslexic child’s problem will become worse.
8. How do you approach the larger issues that arise from the consequence of dyslexia and learning difficulties?
With factors such as absenteeism and truancy remaining a constant threat for dyslexic children, it is difficult to know how far they will be able to go. Sixth grade? Junior high?, Graduation? The risk of becoming a drop out is always present. It is difficult for these children to build a projection of their future. Many skills risk being lost to the students and to society. Language weaknesses keep dyslexic students from self development. The impact on their school and social lives, and on into later life, is considerable if nothing concrete is done to help them.
9. Do you need to distinguish dyslexia from dysorthographia ?
No, dyslexia, weakness of language, and dysorthographia fall under the same category.
10. Is Dyslexia a specific disorder of written language acquisition?
Yes, because it appears and develops when the child begins to write.
11. Is it your understanding that in certain situations there is a link between dyslexia and giftedness ?
NO, any child or person of any ability can be dyslexic, no group is excluded.
12. Who is this method of overcoming dyslexia designed for?
This complete and progressive method has been developed specifically for parents of dyslexic children so that they can help their child at home in a quick and effective way while the child continues with school as usual. It is a method for individual learners.
13. Can you tell us more about this ABC method “anti dyslexia”?
Our method is a remedial re–education of spoken, read, and written language, adapted to the dyslexic child (and those with related language weaknesses) whoare failing school. Psycholinguistics is a teaching method which structures language in the child by using language rules. In reworking language with this method, we offer the child the possibility to work on their self foundations. We give them a new chance to express themselves and find their way back to reading and writing. Contrary to other “traditional” therapies the abc -method De Haan &Merlivat is based exclusively on language rules to make the child progress . See diagram: In what DYSEUROPE is SPECIFICALLY DIFFERENT?
14. What is the origin and the history of this method of fighting and overcoming dyslexia ?
In 1965 the Dutch psycholinguistics and dyslexia specialist Dr. William deHAAN, inventor of the method, was confronted for the first time by dyslexia. He asked himself: “How is it possible that a child who speaks normally his own language has such difficulties in reading and writing?” He began to write his first rules. This led to a revolutionary method by its simplicity, its effectiveness and its flexibility and it has remained a phenomenal success.
DYSEUROPE was created in 1995 by Marlène Merlivat, when she began working with Dr. De Haan. She took up the challenge to adapt the method to other languages and make it accessible to the greatest number of sufferers.
15. What services or support offers DYSEUROPE to the parents whose children suffer from dyslexia?
- Books. They present the heart of the method. There are three books.They are complete educational tools. They allow the child to progress step by step until the final correction of the language
- Assistance. Accompany the parents in their role to train the child to redevelop and correct the language. DYSEUROPE proposes 2 formulas of assistance and support : the formula Telephone Support, and the formula INDIVIDUALZED ASSISTANCE
- Information. Another role of DYSEUROPE is to inform and answerthe questions that parents ask concerning dyslexia, its signs, its consequences and the means of correcting it.
16. How much does this method and its different formulas cost ?
From here please go to prices
17. There are lots of books with methods to help dyslexia: What distinguishes this method from others?
The big difference with this approach is that it adapts to the individual child. The feedback we receive from parents is essential as it enables us to refine and optimize the method to suit their child. Also, another point of differentiation: The method is not a ‘test’ version that has just come out, but is a method proved reliable with several thousand cases. (see testimonies)
18. How long does it take before there is noticeable progress of the dyslexic child?
The first progress is definitely visible at the end of the 6th week when the child spontaneously begins to read everything in front of its eyes whereas before it read with hesitation. This progress will also be reflected in writing which will become gradually more regular, clear and readable. After 3 months, the child should have caught up 1 and 1/2 years in reading ability. After 6 months,the child will not only have acquired a solid base in reading and writing, butwill also have progressed to automatic responses to reading and writing which were previously missing.
19. If I have understood it properly, this special method is reserved for overcoming dyslexia or are there other fields of application?
This method isn’t only successful with dyslexic students. It is also applicable to students who don’t have problems. It is an excellent instructional tool to teach young children to read as soon as they reach school age (between 6½ and 7 years of age). As for speech difficulties which are broader than dyslexia, this method has proved to be equally reliable for people of any ageto perfect their language mastery.
20. In case of aphasia can progress be obtained with the help of theabc method de Haan ?
Aphasia : The application field is wide because parent of an aphasic child can also accompany their child with our books as long as the child can speak small sentences.
Autism : Autism is not a disease but a block in communications with the outside world. A child with a serious form of dyslexia can lock himself away and appearto develop symptoms of autism. These symptoms can be seen early and it is possible to intervene. In these cases we adapt behaviour rules to help the child with acceptance, allowing him to look around himself and participate. These moments can be intense depending on the character and personality of the child, but the goal is to release blocks and emotions which allow the child to begin with Book I. It is with Book I that reading begins and communications can begin again.
21. Where and how can I obtain the method abc de Haan & Merlivat ?
We chose not to use commercial distribution but to limit access to this method through our publication company DYSEUROPE. So that the abc methode of Haan & Merlivat continues to remain accessible tothe greatest number, we deliberately chose to reduce the general. to aminimum This is why the method is available only through direct sale by DYSEUROPE, which is the editor. For that that we do not buy pages of publicity; anyway, the most convincing arguments are brought through our customers results (see testimonials)
22. What justifies your clause of confidentiality and your restrictions of use?
The abc-method De Haan & Merlivat is intended exclusively for an individual and private use. This is the essential counterpart of our policy of accessibility. Each parents by acquiring the books thus commits himself formally not to reveal nor share, nor reproduce whole or part of it. (details see Terms & Conditions)
In addition, and using the same logic, any professional who would usethe method within the framework of his activity is clearly informed that he will be systematically pursued in court for abusive and fraudulent use. (detail see Terms & Conditions)



