This student started in the SARAW program in September 2000. He wanted to learn to read and write so he could “write down his clients’ names when they make an appointment.” His support worker volunteered as his tutor. They have been working at SARAW once a week for two hours for just over four years.

By December 2000 his tutor reported that he was already doing some writing at work. By March 2002 he was able to read his horoscope in the paper for the first time. In February 2003 he had successfully read his story “My Weird Dream” -a language experience story that he had written, with his tutor’s help, using his own words.

As his tutor described, “he told me about a dream he had. After writing the dream story we began practicing to read. We worked at it until he had mastered the story. We practiced it every week for several weeks until he could read it with no difficulty. We were thrilled when he had accomplished this huge skill. We had tried other ways to read with no such luck but this was wonderful. Since this time we still practice other stories and return to them on occasion. We are both pleased with the progress he has made.”

Belle Auld
SARAW Coordinator
Bow Valley College
Calgary Alberta