Updates & More

Blog

Success Stories: Life After the Center

Joseph Mittiga, Former Student

Hello, my name is Joseph Mittiga.  I would like to speak to you about my life after attending The Childrens Dyslexia Center.

At this point, I don’t really remember what life was like before I attended the Children’s Dyslexia Center.  I feel like I caught up with everyone else, and now I’m capable of attending a grammar and writing program that is intense.  It is not easy, but I persevere.  I would never have been able to attend my grammar and writing class, if it had not been for the Center, because I wouldn’t have been able to keep up with the amount of reading, and writing required.

Some of the achievements that I have made this past year, are learning numerous vocabulary words, and building confidence.  I read nineteen chapter books, with an additional five over the summer, and increased my ability to write.

The vocabulary began as a painful challenging chore, but I used strategies that I learned at the Center to aid me. My mom put the vocabulary words on stickies notes with the definition on each stair, so every-time I went up the stairs, I had to trace out the word, say the word and read the definition.  There were words on every stair for two flights, and each time I wanted to play legos in the attic, I had to trace and read words on every stair.  Although it was a tedious task, I memorized all of my vocabulary words.

At the start of the last school year, I thought the books were hard to read and I felt my goal of 15,  was beyond my abilities.  Later on in the year, I realized that I was reaching my goal, and by the end of the year, I went past my goal!  I was amazed.  Reflecting back on the past year of reading, I feel that it is easier to read, and I am no longer struggling in reading and just pick out two books a week that appear of interest to me.  My goal for myself this year is to reach 30 books, which is double book worm award at school.

When I reflect back to a time before the Center, if someone had told me that these would be my achievements, I would never had believed them!   I am proud of my accomplishments this year.  This is the work that I have done for my grammar, and writing class.  Thank you for the impact that you all, have had on my life.  I really appreciate it.

 

Children’s Dyslexia Center of Central New York

(315) 736-0574

PO Box 638 8280 State Route 69 Oriskany, NY 13424

 

For the safety of our staff and students in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, all persons entering the center must wear a mask upon entry and adhere to social distancing guidelines.