A literacy development device includes a light source that provides a general white illumination area and an adjustable light within the illumination area, both from the same light source. The adjustable light can be changed in shape and color through a LCD screen provided within the device. The device contains a rechargeable battery and various buttons for changing functions, light parameters, and other controls. The device is preferably usable in teaching applications, especially with children and other students with learning and/or attention issues. The device is useful in drawing attention to certain areas of a surface that includes written language, including a letter, a group of letters, a word, or a sentence, through use of the adjustable light to highlight, underline, or otherwise draw visual attention to a particular area of the surface within the illumination area.

Pointer reading tool (20) to read a plurality of words by saccading between a plurality of individual pointers enabling any person to learn and train to read using person eye peripheral vision when reading. Having vertical rigid member (5) with horizontal rigid member (22, 23) extended to the width of a line of text on a page or screen (FIGS. 1H and 1I). Plurality pointer member (11, 7, 6, 9, 13) are vertical from horizontal rigid member (22, 23) in reading mode (FIG. 1A). By reducing saccades, improving person eye peripheral vision to read in groups of words, a reader can read at a better pace with improved focus and better concentration whilst reducing stress, strain and fatigue of the eye when reading.

Various embodiments of a pointer for focused reading of a word or character are disclosed. For example, the pointer may include a frame, a reading pane defined inside the frame, a marker formed on the frame for pointing to a particular location of the reading pane, and an elongated handle attached to the frame at a non-zero angle.

Dual telescopic pointer with adjustable ball joints is used by a trained clinician to help treat a client or patient with a mental illness. The trained clinician places a dual telescopic pointer with adjustable ball joints in front of a client and then counseling or analyzing the client in the usual fashion while also asking the client to focus their eyes and attention on the first or second focus spheres of the dual telescopic pointer with adjustable ball joints while periodically moving the location of the first or second focus spheres by extending and/or retracting the first and second telescopic pointers which support the first or second focus spheres respectively and/or adjusting the first or second adjustable ball joints which support the first and second telescopic pointers respectively. This method of treatment promotes deeper healing in the subcortical areas of the brain where emotions and trauma are stored.

Dual telescopic pointer with adjustable ball joints is used by a trained clinician to help treat a client or patient with a mental illness. The trained clinician places a dual telescopic pointer with adjustable ball joints in front of a client and then counseling or analyzing the client in the usual fashion while also asking the client to focus their eyes and attention on the first or second focus spheres of the dual telescopic pointer with adjustable ball joints while periodically moving the location of the first or second focus spheres by extending and/or retracting the first and second telescopic pointers which support the first or second focus spheres respectively and/or adjusting the first or second adjustable ball joints which support the first and second telescopic pointers respectively. This method of treatment promotes deeper healing in the subcortical areas of the brain where emotions and trauma are stored.

The computer system displays a user interface that represents text information by an improved method of phonics-based approach for teaching reading, especially for those with dyslexia or other neurological disorders. The interface enlarges a line of text to be read by a user and places the cursor/pointer under the first word in the line of text in a direction of reading on the computer screen. The user interacts with the interface by a cursor/pointer. The system calculates the cursor/pointer position and highlights font and background of the traversed part of the text line/element under which the cursor is located. The elements can be letters, syllables and words. In the voiceover mode, the pointer/cursor moves automatically and the user follows the cursor/pointer at the speed suggested by the system and the system voices the word/syllable being read. In the non-voiceover mode, the user drags the cursor along the text line.

The computer system displays a user interface that represents text information by an improved method of phonics-based approach for teaching reading, especially for those with dyslexia or other neurological disorders. The interface enlarges a line of text to be read by a user and places the cursor/pointer under the first word in the line of text in a direction of reading on the computer screen. The user interacts with the interface by a cursor/pointer. The system calculates the cursor/pointer position and highlights font and background of the traversed part of the text line/element under which the cursor is located. The elements can be letters, syllables and words. In the voiceover mode, the pointer/cursor moves automatically and the user follows the cursor/pointer at the speed suggested by the system and the system voices the word/syllable being read. In the non-voiceover mode, the user drags the cursor along the text line.

A communication system and method are provided to assist a user in conveying and/or exchanging a communication. The present communication system and method provide a low tech platform that enables a user to utilize an icon exchange communication system and method while allowing the integration of core vocabulary instructional concepts and techniques. The present communication system and method allows for seamless presentation of core vocabulary while also providing access to fringe vocabulary words.

A communication system and method are provided to assist a user in conveying and/or exchanging a communication. The present communication system and method provide a low tech platform that enables a user to utilize an icon exchange communication system and method while allowing the integration of core vocabulary instructional concepts and techniques. The present communication system and method allows for seamless presentation of core vocabulary while also providing access to fringe vocabulary words.

A reading device for helping to learn to read comprises a body (2) have an elongated through opening forming a reading window (3). The window (3) is sized and shaped to enable at least a part of a single row of reading text to be displayed in the window (3). A panel (4) is moveably mounted on the body (2) so as to be longitudinally movable relative to the body (2) so as to variably overlap the window (3) from one side in order to restrict the width of the window (3) and thereby obscure some of the text aligned with the window (3).