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

Summer Reading 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 anyone's imagining!

Adolescent boys will not be able to put this action packed book down!  For more information on Daniel X, visit www.amazon.com.

I Have Dyslexia. What Does That Mean?

My name is Delaney.  I have dyslexia.  That means that my brain works differently than other kids' brains.

Presenting pg. 1 of  I Have Dyslexia.  What Does That Mean?  a children's book co-authored by Shelley Ball-Dannenberg and her 8 year-old daughter, Delaney.  The book is written from the perspective of a child with dyslexia.  It is aimed at giving children with this language-based learning disability their own voice. After reading the book, children, parents, and teachers will better understand dyslexia and what life is like for a child who has the disorder.  

The beautiful watercolor illustrations are being created by Erika Jones.  To see more of Erika's work, click here.

To pre-order a copy of I Have Dyslexia.  What Does That Mean?  contact Shelley Ball-Dannenberg 

Early identification of dyslexia is imperative.

Colorado and Mississippi pass new legislation mandating that schools screen children for dyslexia!

To read more about the Colorado legislation go to:  www.dys-add.com/CODyslexiaBill.pdf

To read more about the Mississippi legislation go to:  

www.dys-add.com/MSDyslexiaScreening.pdf

Mark your calendar!

We are hosting a workshop in Cincinnati, OH for parents and teachers on September 25, 2008.  Understanding Learning Disabilities will focus on Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia and ADHD.  You will learn the warning signs of these disorders, as well as how to remediate and accommodate at home and at school.  The cost is only $20 per person!  

For more information contact us at sbd@dtisinfo.com or call 513-616-0261.

Building and practicing phonemic awareness is an important pre-reading skill for young children.  Visit these 3 web sites for ideas of how to help your child.

www.readingrockets.org/helping/target/phonologicalphonemic

http://forpd.ucf.edu/strategies/stratPhonemicAwareness.html

http://www.nea.org/teachexperience/ifc03048.html

It is important to remember that although children may complete an Orton-Gillingham based tutoring program, as they move into the upper grades in school, they may need a "refresher."  As the curriculum becomes more complicated, vocabulary words become larger and less familiar, and the amount of information a child is expected to take in becomes much faster in pace, the child may need to review.

 

There is an intermediate Orton-Gillingham program.  There are fewer tutors for this program, but you can locate a certified tutor through the International Dyslexia Association at www.interdys.org.  Search for your local branch.  Give them a call, and they can put you in touch with a certified tutor.    

You can also locate tutors through Masonic Learning Centers in your area.  

Dyslexia is life-long, but with proper tutoring and accommodations, children can be very successful!

Check out LDonline .org for the latest info. on learning disabilities!

From the International Dyslexia Association...

In their Winter edition of Perspectives on Language and Literacy, IDA discusses "demystifying the "D" word.  A parent writes an article about how her daughter was labeled SLD, but was not offered any specific information as to why the girl could not read.  The founder of a school for dyslexic children writes about why the term learning disabled is too vague to be of use in helping a dyslexic child, and about how important an early diagnosis is to a child's success.  

Newspaper Interview

Met with a reporter today from the Cincinnati Enquirer who is writing a story about my organization and the challenges those faced with Dyslexia need to overcome. In the future, I'll be sharing stories of hope, success and providing resources for anyone faced with Dyslexia so together, we can overcome.