The Austrian Dyslexia Association (ADA) developed the AFS method 25 years ago under the leadership of Dr. Astrid Kopp-Duller in collaboration with the Dyslexia Research Center USA. The AFS method represents a new modern approach to educational support for writing, reading, or math problems and is internationally the most progressive method in the educational field to comprehensively support affected children and adolescents.
With the help of the AFS method, an individualized training plan tailored to the child can be created, and it is also possible to continuously monitor progress. The goal of educational support according to the AFS method (A-Attention, F-Function, S-Symptom) is to bring about improvement in the following 3 areas and thus ensure comprehensive assistance for the affected individuals. The AFS method focuses on “learning with all senses”:
A stands for Attention: People with dyslexia or dyscalculia often have a problem directing their attention specifically to letters and numbers. This temporary inattention occurs only in connection with learning these cultural techniques. By improving attention, the restlessness that accompanies temporary inattention during writing, reading, and arithmetic also improves, which is a prerequisite for learning to write, read, and calculate.
F stands for Function: The functioning of the basic senses represents an essential factor in learning to write, read, and calculate. Thus, targeted individual educational training in improving sensory perception performance (in the optical and acoustic sensory perception areas and in spatial perception) is necessary for learning these cultural techniques. The functions, sensory perceptions, also called partial performances, are different in children with dyslexia or dyscalculia. These children have a different perception and very rapid thought processes. They need more time to engage with symbols. Research results have shown that affected individuals must learn word images or calculation processes “in depth.” It is important in this context to know which sensory perceptions are different, as usually not all sub-areas are affected. When the “senses are sharpened,” affected children can “better store” information and also “remember” the information again. With the help of the AFS test, it can be determined which sensory perceptions are different in the child. Thus, to achieve improvements, one sub-area after another is trained within the framework of educational training
S stands for Symptom: Targeted educational training “on the symptoms,” that is, in the writing, reading, or calculation area, is essential. It is important that “learning and deepening happens slowly and steadily” and goes hand in hand with “increasing attention and sharpening sensory perceptions.” Here, individual needs must be at the center. Thus, symptom training, working on errors, and practice are essential for learning these cultural techniques. The dyslexic/dyscalculic child understands best through “touching,” so the child should have the opportunity to remember letters and word images three-dimensionally as well. Many words are stored in the conventional way, but usually it concerns simple words that affected children simply cannot remember. Here, permanent storage is ensured through word development in educational training. However, the child needs sufficient time and also much praise to stay motivated.
Here’s the English translation:
The AFS method is a comprehensive method that makes extensive educational support possible, as targeted individual support can be provided in all areas where people with dyslexia or dyscalculia have problems. On the one hand, the areas of support are predetermined in the AFS method, but on the other hand, there is still complete openness to other proven approaches. The goal is to provide optimal assistance to people with writing, reading, or calculation problems and to individually address the needs of each person. Thus, the AFS method can be enriched by a variety of other methods developed and tested for people with dyslexia or dyscalculia. Any sensible approach that leads to improvement in one of the three sub-areas can be integrated. All components can thus “interact” and complement each other, ensuring optimal support.
