HP SEPAG
Dyslexia Information
Dyslexia Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that primarily affects reading and related language-based processing skills. Individuals with dyslexia may struggle with decoding words, reading fluently, spelling, and writing. It is not related to intelligence or vision problems but rather involves how the brain processes written language.
What Special Education Services Are Available for Students with Dyslexia?
Students with dyslexia may be eligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These services are outlined in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and may include:
Specialized Instruction: Targeted reading instruction with structured, multi-sensory techniques.
Accommodations: Adjustments to the learning environment, such as extended time for tests, access to audiobooks, or assistive technology.
Support Services: Additional help from specialists like reading interventionists, speech-language pathologists, or special education teachers.
How Do I Get My Child Evaluated for Dyslexia?
To initiate an evaluation for special education services due to dyslexia, you can:
Submit a written request to your child's school or district's special education office.
Discuss your concerns with your child's teacher, school counselor, or principal, who can guide you through the process.
Ensure you provide as much information as possible about your child's learning history and any difficulties observed.
What Happens After My Child Is Evaluated?
If the evaluation confirms that your child has a specific learning disability like dyslexia and requires special education services, an IEP will be developed. The IEP team, including parents, teachers, special education professionals, and administrators, will create a personalized plan outlining the services and accommodations your child will receive.
How Often Will My Child's IEP Be Reviewed?
IEPs are reviewed at least once a year, but they can be revisited more frequently if there are significant changes in your child's needs or if you or the school staff believe adjustments are necessary.
What Can I Do to Support My Child with Dyslexia at Home?
Encourage Reading: Offer books that match your child's interests and reading level.
Use Assistive Technology: Tools like text-to-speech software and audiobooks can help support reading.
Create a Structured Routine: Consistency in homework and reading time can aid learning.
Communicate with Teachers: Keep open lines of communication with your child's educators to understand their progress and any additional support needed.
What Rights Do I Have as a Parent?
As a parent, you have the right to:
Participate in the IEP process and provide input.
Review educational records and request changes.
Request additional evaluations or reevaluations if needed.
File complaints or request mediation if you disagree with the school's decisions about special education services.
Dyslexia Resources
DD-NJ Compiled Dyslexia Screening Information: | DDNJ Screening Information Packet
DD-NJ’s Checklist for Pediatricians | DDNJ Pediatrican Information Packet
DD-NJ’s Guerrilla Guide for Spreading Dyslexia Awareness | DD Guerrilla Guide
DD-NJ Compiled Dyslexia Warning Signs and Resource List | DDNJ Warning Signs & Resources
NJ State Resources
The New Jersey Dyslexia Handbook | NJ State Dyslexia Handbook
Learning Disabilities Association of NJ | www.ldanj.org
NJ Branch of the International Dyslexia Association | nj.dyslexiaida.org
NJ Department of Education Website
National Resources
Understood.org | www.understood.org
International Dyslexia Association | www.interdys.org
Bookshare | www.bookshare.org
Children’s Dyslexia Centers, Inc | www.childrensdyslexiacenters.org
Learning Ally (formerly RFB&D) | www.learningally.org
National Center for Learning Disabilities | www.ncld.org
LD Online | www.LDonline.org
Bright Solutions for Dyslexia | www.dys-add.com
Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy | www.wrightslaw.com
Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity | www.dyslexia.yale.edu
Proactive Parent | www.proactiveparent.com
Assistive Technology Resources | Free Online AT Tools for Reading, Writing and Math
U.S. Dept of Education Guidance Memos | Guidance on Dyslexia – Oct 2015
U.S. Law: “READ Act” H. R. 3033 | http://bit.ly/1p6jTX3
U.S. Law: “READ Act” [press release] | http://1.usa.gov/1phfyAT
Films on Dyslexia
The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia | www.thebigpicturemovie.com
Dislecksia – The Movie | www.dislecksiathemovie.com
Embracing Dyslexia | www.embracingdyslexia.com
Being You | roadtripnation.com/roadtrip/being-you#showdlsfkjadlk
Other dyslexia related films list with links | http://u.org/2dayJaR
Books on Learning Disabilites & Dyslexia
Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level by Sally Shaywitz, M.D.; Vintage (2005) — A great book that explains what dyslexia is and gives parents tools for helping their children become fluent readers. One of the most helpful and informative books that most parents read early in their journey that really open their eyes and pointed them in the right direction to seek the help their kids needed.
Essentials of Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties by David A. Kilpatrick; John Wiley & Sons; 1st Edition (September 8, 2015) — Truly an essential book which is a practical, accessible, in-depth guide to reading assessment and intervention that can save lives! It provides a detailed discussion of the nature and causes of reading difficulties, which will help develop the knowledge and confidence needed to accurately assess why a student is struggling. Readers will learn a framework for organizing testing results from current assessment batteries such as the WJ-IV, KTEA-3, and CTOPP-2. Case studies illustrate each of the concepts covered. A thorough discussion is provided on the assessment of phonics skills, phonological awareness, word recognition, reading fluency, and reading comprehension. Formatted for easy reading as well as quick reference, the text includes bullet points, icons, callout boxes, and other design elements to call attention to important information.
Parenting a Struggling Reader by Susan L. Hall and Louisa C. Moats; Broadway (2002) — This book helped explain how school systems work and provided real-world practical guidance on how to understand and work within the framework of the public school system. It also helped us understand the need to sometimes look outside public schools for additional resources.
Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide by Pam Wright and Pete Wright; Harbor House Law Press (2006) — Realizing that your child has an LD (or any disability) can set parents off on a roller coaster of emotions. This fabulous book helped us distinguish facts from emotions in order to properly document the facts and best advocate for our daughter.
The Human Side of Dyslexia: 142 Interviews with Real People Telling Real Stories About Their Coping Strategies with Dyslexia by Shirley Kurnoff; London Universal, (2001) — Just as the title says, this book is packed with real stories by people with dyslexia. While many books on dyslexia focus on the mechanics of the learning disability, this is the human story of the people who live with it. Through their stories we learn their strategies and tools for coping with the reading disability. Many of the stories are inspirational and will be a comfort to parents who worry about their child’s future.
The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science by Norman Doidge; Penguin Books (2007) — An astonishing new science called “neuroplasticity” is overthrowing the centuries-old notion that the human brain is immutable. In this revolutionary look at the brain, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Norman Doidge, M.D., provides an introduction to both the brilliant scientists championing neuroplasticity and the people whose lives they’ve transformed.
The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan: A Blueprint for Renewing Your Child’s Confidence and Love of Learning by Ben Foss (2013) — In a passionate and well-articulated guide that puts to rest the idea that dyslexic people are unintelligent, disabilities advocate Foss (himself dyslexic and the creator of Intel Reader, a text-to-speech device) describes dyslexia as a characteristic and a disability that should be accommodated in the same way as blindness or mobility issues. Foss reframes the use of film, audiobooks, and material read aloud as ear-reading, in contrast to the eye-reading that is the educational standard. He hopes that parents can learn to explain their child’s needs in a way that will win them essential support, and that they can help their child build self-esteem. Foss also discusses how to navigate good accommodations in the school environment and determine if a school is inappropriate for your child’s welfare. This extremely practical and motivational book will be welcomed by parents of dyslexic children.