Take a few minutes to watch this wonderful, new video on Autism beginning with the words, “We are all different….” While it is about autism, the main message is relevant to all those with learning differences and important for everyone.
Microsoft Learning Tools: Education and Technology
“One in five students struggle with dyslexia, which can affect their ability to read, write and participate in class. Microsoft Learning Tools is software that helps improve reading skills by reducing visual crowding, highlighting words, and reading text aloud, so students can engage with words in a whole new way.
See how technology and education come together to empower young minds to do more.”
Three Myths about “Reading Levels”
This is a very informative overview of reading levels. PC READS always encourages families to consider audio books, as they enable and motivate students who have the capability to comprehend more difficult text to enjoy books above their independent reading levels.
15 Best Value Colleges for Dyslexic Students 2017-2018
This review took into account ranking the following areas, which are all important to students with dyslexia:
(1) Assistive Technology
(2) Academic tutoring and/or skill development coaching specifically related to reading/writing
(3) Special courses to help students develop their reading/writing abilities and/or improve their study skills
(4) Reading and/or writing-related workshops
(5) On-campus and/or online writing center services
Tutor Spotlight: Heidi Thorstad, Dyslexia Specialist
“If you suspect your child is struggling with reading, don’t adopt a “wait and see” approach. Of course, it’s never too late to learn to read and spell, but early intervention is important. Seek out information: talk to specialists, read appropriate books, ask your pediatrician for a referral to a neuropsychologist, talk to other parents who have “been there”…you will find the support you need! Often times, especially when you first begin to gather information, the process can be overwhelming. Don’t give up. Just take one small step at a time.”
A message from one dyslexic to another
Great advice from Richard Branson to a young student. Remember it and share it with your own kids!
“Collin, don’t let school hold you back. Turn your attention to things that you can see the relevance in and are passionate about; if you do, not only will your brain open up, but so will your world.”
Wasatch Reading Summit
The second annual Wasatch Reading Summit will be held on October 5 & 6 2017 and is sponsored by Decoding Dyslexia Utah, Utah State Office of Education and University of Utah Reading Clinic. The Wasatch Reading Summit is a comprehensive professional development conference for new and veteran teachers and for parents of students with Dyslexia. The conference will feature keynote addresses by Dr. Richard Selznick, David A. Kilpatrick, PhD, John Rodriques M.Ed. and Dr. Sam Goldstein.
For full information and to purchase tickets click on the link above.
Launching Made by Dyslexia
Check out this news from Richard Branson! It will be exciting to see the work of this new organization!
Learning Disabilities: How to Succeed in College from Day One
Do you have a high school or college student? This article has very good information and advice as you student begins to navigate the application process and time on campus.
EXCERPT: Many parents think if their child received accommodation and support services in high school they will automatically get them in college. Not so. Students with a learning disability must submit to the college’s ODS documentation of their disability (usually from a health care professional like a psychologist or a physician) with a recommendation on what accommodations the student should receive.
Fundations improving our youth literacy
“Time and again, administrators, reading specialists, and classroom teachers sang the praises of Fundations, a curriculum developed by Wilson.”
Implementing Wilson Fundations in the PCSD is part of the district’s current Dyslexia Initiative. This year, Fundations was introduced at McPolin Elementary School in K-2. The goal is to roll it out to our other 3 elementary schools next year. An Implementation Plan is scheduled to be presented at the May 16th Board Meeting. Read the article below about success at a PA school.
DTI’s Virtual Conference: Education Changes Everything
Register today for DTI’s Virtual Conference: Education Changes Everything. Learn from the comforts of your home from an excellent line-up of speakers!
Dyslexia: Disability or Difference
Dyslexia: Disability or Difference? Another excellent article by Kyle Redford! Sharing a few excerpts, but it’s worthwhile to read the entire piece.
“Additionally, as long as students with dyslexia have to fight for specialized reading instruction or access to assistive technology like audiobooks in classrooms, we cannot afford to move away from the disability classification. By definition, students with developmental dyslexia struggle to learn to read in spite of adequate instruction and otherwise high intelligence. In other words, their difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and spelling are “unexpected” given the student’s broader intellectual profile and environmental background.”
“Depending on the school’s reading program, dyslexics often need alternative remediation to learn to read. And the same things that make reading hard also make spelling and writing especially challenging. Most important, these challenges are not something students outgrow. Although developmental dyslexia’s impact on students usually morphs over time, it never goes away.”
Early Learners Rise and Shine
Exciting new program from Wilson Fundations for Pre-K!
“The Title I elementary school, along with 74 other pre-kindergarten classes throughout Greensboro’s sprawling Guilford County school district, served as a pilot site for the Fundations Pre-K Activity Set during the 2014-2015 school year. The district has been using it ever since.”
“The Guilford County Schools’ pre-k program currently serves more than 1,200 students in 75 classrooms at 51 elementary schools. In addition to the Fundations pre-k set, the district provides Fundations K-3 in all 69 of its elementary schools.”
7 Things I Wish People Knew About Parenting Kids With Dyslexia
“Nothing makes me prouder than hearing my children speak up for their needs. They understand the impact of dyslexia on their schoolwork and assignments. … They have the courage to change an environment that may work just fine for other kids, but that needs to be tweaked for them. That’s real bravery.”
What Doesn’t Work: Literacy Practices We Should Abandon
This article reviews five common literacy practices in U.S. schools that research suggests are not optimal use of instructional time.
