I build what I would miss myself.

Mario Engel is a certified dyslexia trainer, a developer of learning software, games and SaaS products, and chairman of the German Dyslexia Association (Dachverband Legasthenie Deutschland, DVLD). He is dyslexic himself and works closely with the First Austrian Dyslexia Association (EÖDL). His apps are published under the Appsthrum brand.

A dyslexic person of good or average intelligence perceives the environment in a differentiated, different way. Attention drops when meeting letters or numbers, because differing sensory perceptions make the experience different from that of non-dyslexic people. This leads to difficulties in learning to write, read or calculate. The cause is genetic. About 15 percent of the world population is affected.

Dyslexia and an acquired reading and spelling weakness (in German: Lese-Rechtschreibschwäche, LRS) are not the same. Dyslexia is genetic and lifelong; with targeted training it can be managed well. An acquired reading and spelling weakness is a mostly temporary problem triggered by psychological or physical events. The training therefore has to be structured differently for each.

Dyscalculia describes difficulties in dealing with numbers, number ranges and basic arithmetic. As with dyslexia, the cause is genetic. Affected children show a noticeable, temporary inattention when working with numbers, while their attention is otherwise good.

The earliest point is the second half of the first school year. The child must already have engaged sufficiently with letters and numbers. Differing sensory perceptions can be observed at preschool age, but they do not necessarily lead to dyslexia or dyscalculia.

Certified dyslexia trainers use educational assessment tools such as the AFS test and a case history to find out whether dyslexia or dyscalculia is present, and then offer targeted training. If additional problems are suspected, professionals from medicine and psychology are brought in. Cooperation between the child, parents, teachers and trainers decides the outcome. Find trainers near you at legasthenietrainer.com.

The AFS Method is an educational training approach for people with dyslexia and dyscalculia. AFS stands for attention (Aufmerksamkeit), function (sensory perceptions) and symptom (reading, spelling and calculating performance). These three areas are trained in a targeted, individual way. In a long-term study (2001 to 2006) with 3,370 participants, 85 percent improved their performance continuously.

Errors in writing, reading or calculating are only the symptoms of dyslexia, not the cause. Working on the symptom alone achieves little and frustrates the child. The AFS Method therefore addresses all three areas: sharpening attention, training sensory perceptions and only then working specifically on the symptom.

Yes. Dyslexia is lifelong, but with suitable training it can be managed well. Schools often measure intelligence by writing, reading and calculating, and the frequently above-average abilities of dyslexic people in other areas are overlooked. Dyslexia is a different way of seeing the world, processing information and developing ideas.

Through distance learning with the First Austrian Dyslexia Association (EÖDL). The English-language course is available at dyslexiacertificate.com, the German course at legastheniefernstudium.com. The program covers about 600 pages in four theory modules and can be scheduled flexibly alongside work. The dyslexia course has existed since 1998 and the dyscalculia course since 2008. Around 17,000 trainers in 64 countries have completed the training.

A certified media didactics specialist focuses on media education and the design of media-supported learning environments: developing teaching materials with media, training educators, strengthening students' media literacy and advising schools on technology choices. Current focus areas are cybercrime prevention, a critical approach to artificial intelligence and digital learning scenarios.

Worterarbeitung supports dyslexic children specifically in symptom training. It follows three steps: word image (the three-dimensional representation of the word), word sound (hearing the word and practicing pronunciation) and word meaning (meaning, grammar and use in context). Through this multisensory path, words reach long-term memory instead of merely being memorized.

Fernförderung is an online learning platform for children aged 6 to 12. It enables individual learning regardless of where the child lives and adapts to the child. More than 21,000 children use the system. It is especially valuable for families without a dyslexia trainer nearby.

Computers, learning software and AI tools such as read-aloud functions, autocorrect or adaptive learning systems can support dyslexic people. There is, however, no single aid that helps in every case. Technology complements individual training; it does not replace it.

Under Appsthrum you will find AFS5.com (ten arithmetic and everyday-skills games), Migo the Pirate (ABC learning games), Wordthrum, Tangramthrum, 3er, Brickthrum, Heartthrum, Herr Ober!, Der Die Das Thrum and Grundrechnungsarten, among others. Most apps are available for iPhone and iPad, many also for Android and directly in the browser, with no account required.

The Dachverband Legasthenie Deutschland e.V. (DVLD) is the German umbrella organization for dyslexia and dyscalculia. The Erster Österreichischer Dachverband Legasthenie (EÖDL) is the Austrian umbrella organization; among other things, it offers the distance learning courses for dyslexia and dyscalculia trainers.

The easiest way is an email to [email protected]. Professionally, I am also on LinkedIn.