Thanks to the collaboration on a Dyslexia Initiative between PC READS, the Park City Education Foundation, the Park City School District and the Hall Family Fund (hallfamilyfund.com), students here in the PCSD are also learning to read through Wilson Fundations!
Why can’t people spell?
Understanding dyslexia makes many people more understanding and less judgmental about spelling and grammar errors. This short article by Susan Barton is excellent and right on point!
Dyslexia Fact Sheet
If you haven’t checked out understood.org yet, here is a sample of what you can find. It’s an excellent resource!
When Dyslexic Students Are Denied In School
If you missed this NPR report on the 1A Show earlier this week, you can listen to it here. This is a follow-up to the recent investigation by American Public Media (APM) revealing that “across the country, public schools are denying children proper treatment and often failing to identify them with dyslexia in the first place.”
“The APM findings also show that the way schools handle recognizing and educating students with dyslexia could have implications for how all children are taught to read. We look at how one special needs population affects early childhood education and literacy rates across the board.”
Guest editorial: Park City making strides in addressing dyslexia
PC READS’ President, Elissa Aten, shares her thoughts during Dyslexia Awareness Month.
Wilson Fundations author to speak about new reading program
PC READS and The Hall Family Foundation are hosting Barbara Wilson in Park City! While here, she will meet with teachers, parents and provide a community presentation on “Navigating Reading Success.”
EXCERPT FROM ARTICLE: One in five students has a language-based learning disability, and the most common, by far, is dyslexia, Aten said. Those who attend the event will learn about the reading program teachers in Park City schools have adopted, which helps all students learn to read with multi-sensory methods, especially those suffering with dyslexia. The plan is to eventually include all third-graders as well – it is currently being taught to third-graders at McPolin – and to feature a structured support system for dyslexic students who need extra assistance.
A Dyslexia Primer for Parents and Educators
Dyslexia is the most common learning disability. This article by PC READS provides an excellent overview for parents and educators. It was originally published in the Park Record’s 2016 “Park City Parent – Back to School” edition.
Hard to Read: How American schools fail kids with dyslexia
Excellent audio documentary about dyslexia – including history (have you heard about the “Reading Wars?”), advocacy work and personal stories. Definitely worth an hour of your time! Please share widely.
“There are proven ways to help people with dyslexia learn to read, and a federal law that’s supposed to ensure schools provide kids with help. But across the country, public schools are denying children proper treatment and often failing to identify them with dyslexia in the first place.”
Nikolai Vitti: I see myself in Detroit’s struggling students
Detroit’s new School Superintendent,Nikolai Vitti, shares his background and passion for helping students with dyslexia.
EXCERPT: Among the worst moments of elementary school came when his teachers would pick a child, one by one, to read a passage from a book. “I remember sweating and thinking, ‘Oh, my God, please do not pick me.’ And then having to read and kids laughing.”
Untangling the Words: Dealing with Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a literacy issue, which is why spreading awareness throughout communities is so important! The Costco Connection’s August issue, with this article on dyslexia, will reach 12 million households. How wonderful!
“Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial: There’s a short window of time when children learn to read, and after that point, they must be able to read with comprehension in order to continue learning. Indeed, literacy is key for a healthy self-concept, learning practical life skills and optimal psychosocial development.”
Unidentified Dyslexia Takes Heavy Toll
Kyle Redford’s articles are thoughtful and on point. Continuing to spread awareness about dyslexia is necessary so that all students are able to reach their potential.
EXCERPT: In order to identify dyslexics, teachers have to know the clues. Dyslexics are slow and effortful readers, but they are often the students who demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of content or story. They often have sloppy handwriting and struggle with spelling, but they have amazing ideas. In math, they may be the student who cannot retain their math facts, but readily offer creative ways to solve the problems. They struggle with written tests, but may lead class discussion. Overall, their weak mechanical skills shouldn’t be any indication of their intellectual abilities.
Vintage dyslexia: Life magazine 1944
Historical article on dyslexia – from 1944!
“Millions of children in the US suffer from dyslexia, which is the medical term for reading difficulties. It is responsible for about 70% of the school failures in 6 to 12 year age group, and handicaps almost 13% of all grade-school children.” (Life, 1944)
(To read the full article from Life, look for the link in the article.)
A Mom’s View: This is what dyslexia looks like …..
Very thoughtful article which parents are sure to love!
“Dyslexia is ….. ONE part of my child. It’s also a part we embrace, and we hope that in time the world will learn to embrace all of our neuro-diverse brains as well.”
Dyslexia and foreign language learning
This article provides a very good overview about foreign languages and dyslexia, as well as specific suggestions to make learning a foreign language successful.
“How successful they are depends on the individual student, the approach taken, and to some degree, the language students choose to learn.”
The ADHD-Dyslexia Connection
Good article on ADHD, Dyslexia and Self-Esteem.
EXCERPT: ADHD symptoms are usually apparent from the first day of school, whereas dyslexia is often not fully recognized until fourth or fifth grade, when the shift is made from learning to read to reading to learn. Parents who express concern early on are often told by teachers that “every student reads differently and they will catch up.”
EXCERPT: Parents sometimes fear the label of “dyslexia” for their child. They do not want their child to feel different, but dyslexic kids do feel different, because they are. It is our responsibility to see that the difference is not equated with inferiority. Studies show that when children are diagnosed as having “dyslexia” — versus vague labels like “specific learning disability”— their self-esteem is positively affected.
