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

OH Dyslexia Legislation Update

Representatives from the Northern, Central, and Ohio Valley branches of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) are diligently working to pass dyslexia legislation in OH.

This legislation will include:

• Assessment, prevention, and remediation for students with dyslexia.
  
• Systematic, explicit reading instruction.
  
• Instruction taught by a teacher adequately trained and coached.
  
• Professional development of teachers, administrators, and superintendents stressing an understanding of dyslexia and what type of instruction dyslexics need to learn to read, write and spell.
• After the bill takes effect, if the district does not have teachers who are properly trained, the district must provide a qualified tutor to work with students during the school day.
  
• Education majors at all universities/colleges in OH must be educated about dyslexia as part of the reading curriculum.
  
• Professors of education as all universities/colleges in OH must be educated about dyslexia and effective methods of teaching these students.
  

Raising Awareness about dyslexia is key to the passage of this Bill.  A DYSLEXIA AWARENESS DAY is planned for April 22, 2009.  Details for this day are forth coming.

A web site is being planned that will explain how you can help.

In the meantime, spread the word about this legislation.  This Bill will change the lives of so many struggling students in OH.

Stay tuned to this blog for further updates.

Remediation Rewires Dyslexic Brains

(This information is courtesy of the Fall 2008 Dyslexia Newsletter from Bright Solutions, www.BrightSolutions.US)

A new Carnegie Mellon University brain imaging study of dyslexic students shows that the brain can permanently rewire itself and overcome reading deficits, if students are given 100 hours of intensive remedial instruction.

The study published in the August issue of the journal of Nueropsychologia, shows that the remedial instruction resulted in an increase in brain activity in several cortical regions associated with reading, and that gains became further solidified during the year following instruction.

"This study demonstrates how remedial instruction can use the plasticity of the human brain to gain an educational improvement," said neuroscientist Marcel Just, director of Carnegie Mellon's Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging (CCBI) and senior author of the study.  "Focused instruction can help underperforming brain areas to increase their brain proficiency."

To read the rest of this research article, click here.

Daniel X- a great read for adolescent boys!

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X

By James Patterson

Little, Brown & Co.

Fiction

272 pages

The greatest superpower of all isn't to be part spider, part man, or to cast magic spells.  The greatest power is to create.  Daniel X has that power.   Daniel's secret abilities- like being able to manipulate objects and animals with his mind or to recreate himself in any shape he chooses- have helped him survive.  Daniel does not have a normal life.  He is the protector of the earth, the Alien Hunter, with a mission beyond any one's imagining!

Although Daniel X is not the typical book that I would choose to read for myself, any teenage boy will not be able to put this book down!  It is action packed- think Men in Black with Will Smith.  Although the aliens that Daniel faces are "out of this world,"  he is still very much like any young man trying to find his way to adulthood.

Daniel is very likable and someone that teenage boys will identify with.  He has fears, wishes for a girlfriend, counts on his friends for support, and teases his little sister.  All the while, Daniel is saving the earth from alien invasion!

I found myself looking for free moments during the day to steal away and see what was around the corner for Daniel X!  Be cautioned, though, the content is intended for teenagers.  I would not recommend this for an elementary or middle school boy.  

Vision Problems NOT the Cause of Dyslexia

A popular myth about dyslexia is that it is a vision problem.  Dyslexia is neurologically based, and has nothing to do with vision.  A child could have acuity problems AND dyslexia, but problems with eyesight do not cause dyslexia.  If your child is having difficulty seeing the board or reading, it is certainly a good idea to have a thorough eye exam.  However, "vision therapy" will not cure dyslexia.  Beware of any doctor who makes that claim.   

Recommended Pediatric Ophthalmologist in Cincinnati, OH:

Dr. Miles Burke

10475 Montgomery Rd.  Suite 4-F

Cincinnati, OH  45242

513-984-4949