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

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.