I Have Dyslexia. What Does That Mean?

I Have Dyslexia. What Does That Mean?

A children's book written from the perspective of a child with dyslexia has gotten positive reviews!

My daughter is in her teens and has dyslexia. She received this book as a gift from a friend of mine, and it made her day! She has insight now into how dyslexia affected her early years, and this book "hit the nail on the head" of her experiences.

Shreveport, LA

Wonderful book to use with my dyslexic students in helping them feel OK about themselves and understanding dyslexia.

Groves, TX

I have two Dyslexic children and this book is spot on for their symptoms and how they have felt. I liked it so much I bought a copy for my LBS/LD teacher. If your child is being taught using a multi sensory or Orton-Gillingham based system it speaks about that as well. Perfect!

IL

What is Dysgraphia?

Many children with dyslexia also have dysgraphia- a learning disability that affects writing abilities. Link here to learn the warning signs and appropriate accommodations for dysgraphia.

An interview with Ldonline.org

Ldonline.org, a national on-line publication interviews Shelley Ball-Dannenberg about her new children's book, I Have Dyslexia. What Does That Mean?

To read the full interview, link here.

No Such Thing as a Speech Only IEP

Parents often contact me for dyslexia testing and their child is already on an IEP for speech. The child is not receiving interventions for reading, writing, spelling, math, or other developmental or functional needs.

A child on an IEP has already undergone a comprehensive evaluation to determine their weaknesses.

According to Ann Guinan, Ohio Dept. of Education, Office for Exceptional Children (September 9, 2009), once a student qualifies for services in one of the 13 handicapping categories, "the IEP must address all of the students educational needs (i.e reading intervention)."

Therefore, there is no such thing as a "speech only" IEP.

If your child is getting speech only services, ask what interventions are in place to address weaknesses in reading, writing, spelling, math or other developmental or functional needs.

OCECD (Ohio Coalition for Children with Disabilities), Summer 2009 Forum

5 Specific Types of Learning Disabilities

Did you know that there are 5 specific learning disabilities? Some overlap, and children can experience learning problems in more than one area. Read about the 5 specific types of learning disabilities here.

FREE Talking Book Membership

Individual Membership

Recordings for the Blind & Dyslexic

RFB&D Individual Membership is now FREE.

Thanks to major funding from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, Grant #H327D090001 and support of private donors, RFB&D Individual Membership is now free to individuals with proper certification*.

Register on-line at www.rfbd.org

Dyslexia Children's Book

I am proud and happy to introduce my children's book, I Have Dyslexia. What Does That Mean?

This book was written with my daughter. It is intended to give dyslexic children a voice and parents and teachers a tool to use to discuss dyslexia with their children or students.

As the new school year rapidly approaches, I hope you will find this book helpful in discussing the most commonly diagnosed learning disability, dyslexia.

Click here, to order a copy of I Have Dyslexia. What Does That Mean?

The Importance of Early Intervention

If your child is struggling, don't wait, get help now. Early intervention is key to a child's success in reading, writing, and spelling. Read the statistics in an article from LDonline.org.

Contact Dyslexia Testing & Information Services, LLC for information about dyslexia testing and tutoring.

Dislecksia: The Movie

In a comic documentary, Dislecksia: The Movie, dyslexic director Harvey Hubbell V will present the latest scientific knowledge about dyslexia and the experiences of dyslexics.

Viewers will come to know dyslexics — and those who teach them and study them — not just as statistics or talking heads but as people. Audiences will learn about dyslexia: its causes, its effects, and what can be done about it.

How to Talk to A Child About Dyslexia

Link to a short clip with personal stories from dyslexics.

This clip is an excellent tool to use when talking with children who have been diagnosed with dyslexia.

The Science of Reading and Dyslexia

For anyone looking for a concise, research-based article explaining Dyslexia, The Science of Reading and Dyslexia is a must read. Especially informative is the section about Dyslexia Management- Accommodations.

The article details:

The Definition of Dyslexia

The Basic Facts About Dyslexia

The Cognitive Basis For Dyslexia- Brain Research

Making a Hidden Disability Visible

Translating Research Into Practice

What To Look For In Diagnosing Dyslexia

Essentials of Dyslexia Management- Accommodations

Teaching and Remediating Reading Difficulties

Adult Outcome of Dyslexia

Looking To the Future

Grant Funds Genetic Test for Dyslexia

Yale University has won a $5.2 million dollar grant to conduct studies in locating genes involved with dyslexia.

The research will be led by Dr. Jeffrey Gruen, an associate professor at the Department of Pediatrics, Genetics, and Investigative Medicine at Yale. Gruen's discovery of the DCDC2 gene involved in dyslexia was named one of the top 10 scientific breakthroughs of 2005 by the journal Science.

To read the entire article, go to:
www.dys-add.com/YaleGrantforGeneticTest.pd

information courtesy of www.BrightSolutions.US

OH Dyslexia Law

To raise awareness about dyslexia, a Dyslexia Awareness Day Rally  is planned at the statehouse in Columbus, OH for October 1, 2009.

Most state legislators know NOTHING about dyslexia.  Please take the time to contact your local legislators to let them know about dyslexia.  

To read the details of the proposed OH Dyslexia Law click here, and then choose the Legislative Update tab.

Don't Forget Comprehension

While it is imperative that dyslexic children receive remediation in an Orton-Gillingham based, multisensory approach to language, we must not forget that dyslexic children may also struggle with comprehending what they read.

The research on what type of teaching strategy works best for teaching comprehension is inconclusive.

What we do know is that good readers:

-summarize ideas in their own words

-identify the main ideas

-self question about the ideas of the text

-use graphic and semantic organizers

-monitor their comprehension

Children must be taught how to comprehend what they read.

The Institute of Education Sciences is a leader in the research of effective comprehension strategies.

Author Patricia Polacco speaks about her dyslexia

Children's author Patricia Polacco speaks about her dyslexia and the teacher that changed her life.

Click here and scroll down the page to watch this short clip courtesy of Ldonline.org. 

To read more about that special teacher and Ms. Polacco's struggles with reading, check out her book Thank You, Mr. Falker.  

FREE Talking Book Service

Children (or adults) with a diagnosed print disability now have another option in addition to Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic for talking books.  

Book Share offers FREE downloadable literature books or textbooks to anyone with a diagnosed print disability.  Simply fill out the application (which must be signed by a qualified professional) and begin downloading books on your computer.  

If you have a PC computer, the FREE software is immediately available.  If you have a Mac computer, Book Share has assured me that the FREE software is coming very soon.

Tax Benefits for Parents of LD children

If you have a child with a severe learning disability, you may qualify for valuable tax benefits.

Read more about possible tax benefits for parents of LD children.

courtesy of GreatSchools.net

Inspiring Story of a Successful Dyslexic Artist

ldonline.org has published a must read, inspiring story of the talented artist Eric McGehearty.

Read how Eric has learned to use his dyslexia as inspiration for his art, and how he uses his voice as a spokesperson for Recordings for the Blind & Dyslexic.

This story will remind any parent of a dyslexic child how important it is to nurture the child's strengths and not just focus on their weaknesses.

What is Orton-Gillingham?

Orton-Gillingham is the research-based best way to remediate dyslexia.

Read Just the Facts here.  (courtesy of the International Dyslexia Association)

To locate a certified Orton tutor in your area, contact your local branch of IDA.

Spelling Fact Sheet

courtesy of Bright Solutions For Dyslexia- www.brightsolutions.us and as published by the International Dyslexia Association- www.interdys.org  2008

The International Dyslexia Association released a 4-page fact sheet on Spelling, which states that people with dyslexia have "conspicuous problems" with spelling and writing.  The fact sheet quotes the research and explains how spelling needs to be taught.

To download the fact sheet go to www.dys-add.com/IDA-SpellingFactSheet.pdf