The Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing Program (LiPS): An Effective Approach to Treating Adult Dyslexia

 

The Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing Program (LiPS) is a specialized approach designed to help individuals with dyslexia improve their reading, spelling, and phoneme awareness skills. By targeting the underlying issues that dyslexic individuals face, this program offers a systematic and sensory-based solution to overcoming literacy challenges.

The Foundation of the LiPS Program

The LiPS program is based on the principle that difficulties in decoding and spelling often stem from a person’s inability to accurately identify, sequence, and judge the number of phonemes (speech sounds) within words. This difficulty is referred to as "weak phoneme awareness."

Dyslexia is frequently linked to weaknesses in phonological processing. These weaknesses cause individuals to struggle with reading and spelling because they often add, substitute, omit, or reverse sounds and letters within words. Although a dyslexic person may see the letters correctly, they may not match what they see to the corresponding sounds, leading to errors in reading, spelling, and speech.

Such challenges also hinder their ability to detect and correct these errors independently. Moreover, this phoneme awareness deficit can make learning additional languages even more difficult.

Objectives of the LiPS Program

The primary goal of the LiPS program is to help individuals with dyslexia develop and apply strong phoneme awareness to improve reading, writing, spelling, and speech. It uses sensory feedback—such as recognizing the mouth movements that produce specific sounds—to teach participants how to process and verify phonemes.

By gaining this awareness, individuals learn how to identify and correct their mistakes in real-time. This empowers them to become more accurate and confident readers and communicators.

How the Program Works

Participants in the LiPS program receive training to become more aware of the sensory and physical aspects of speech sounds. They learn to associate specific mouth movements with particular sounds, enabling them to accurately sequence and verify these sounds in words.

This tactile and sensory-based learning approach helps individuals internalize phoneme patterns, improving their reading, spelling, and verbal communication. The skills gained are not just remedial but also preventative, ensuring long-term benefits in literacy development.

Program Intensity

One of the unique aspects of the LiPS program is its flexibility in intensity.

• Intensive Training: For individuals requiring accelerated progress, the program offers an intensive schedule of up to four hours per day. Most participants show significant improvement, often gaining several grade levels in their decoding abilities within just four to six weeks.
• Customized Intensity: For those who prefer a lighter schedule, the program can be adjusted to meet their specific needs and availability.

Additionally, research has shown that participants often experience further improvement in language and speech skills, even if they had reached a plateau through traditional speech therapy methods.

Accessibility and Resources

The LiPS program is available through Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes Centers, which are located across more than 15 states in the United States and the United Kingdom.

The program also offers a range of materials and resources for public access, including:

• A detailed instructional manual outlining the program’s steps
• Sample dialogues and lesson outlines
• Classroom kits and clinical kits
• Training videos and practice CDs
• Testing kits

These resources are included when enrolling in the program, ensuring that participants have all the tools necessary for success.

Addressing Related Conditions

In addition to treating dyslexia, the LiPS program is also effective for related conditions, such as hyperlexia. Hyperlexia occurs when an individual can read text accurately but struggles to comprehend its meaning. By enhancing sensory-cognitive skills, the LiPS program helps individuals address comprehension difficulties alongside phoneme awareness.

Why Choose the LiPS Program?

The Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing Program provides a practical, research-based approach to tackling the challenges of dyslexia. Its sensory-driven methodology equips individuals with the tools they need to overcome literacy difficulties, empowering them to achieve greater success in reading, writing, and communication.

If you or someone you know struggles with dyslexia or related conditions, the LiPS program offers a comprehensive, accessible solution designed to deliver transformative results.