H.B.NO.. 2168 Dyslexia means a disorder of constitutional origin manifested by difficulty in learning to read, write, or spell, despite conventional instruction, adequate intelligence, and socio-cultural opportunity. DYSLEXIA MORE SIMPLY DEFINED A dyslexic is a person who, in spite of average and above average intelligence, is untalented in learning language (reading, writing, spelling) because he/she processes information in a different way. Dyslexics' talents lie in the three dimensional real world of art, sculpture, mechanics, engineering, cooking, building, inventing, selling, etc. No two dyslexics are alike! My training began at the Dean Center at Scottish Rite Hospital in 1984. I was surprised to find out that my husband, a high school math and metal shop teacher, and two of my five children are dyslexic. All of our children graduated from Allen High School. My oldest son is an electrical engineer; my middle son is an insurance adjuster; my oldest daughter owns a bakery in Allen; my middle daughter is in her second year of nursing school; and my "baby" is also teaching in Allen. Two of our 12 grandchildren are dyslexic. A very creative bunch!!! When I am not with my family or at school, I'm with a friend or reading a book. The DT curriculum consists of 7 books which include phonological awareness, indepth phonics, reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, and cursive handwriting. It begins in the 2nd grade and may extend through the 5th grade. We meet 45 minutes daily during Castle Time. Parents are the backbone of the program and provide support for their children's success. About 10 minutes of homework is required 4 nights a week. Children are expected to read, read, read or listen to audio books. Fluency, reading, spelling, and alphabet benchmarks are given at the end of each workbook. Accommodations help these children succeed. Children with dyslexia are just children. Acknowledge your child's difficulty with reading. Explain that individuals learn differently. Encourage questions and discussion about concerns and problems with learning. Encourage your child to learn through listening, talking, observing, and experiencing. Maintain high expectations for content learning despite reading and writing limitations, while emphasizing other ways to learn. Set standards,goals, and expectations of achievement within reach of your child's abilities. SUPPORT YOUR CHILD Respect your child and value his or her uniqueness. Focus on your child's abilities. Encourage development of hobbies, interests, and talents. Allow and encourage originality and creativity. Read aloud to your child for information, literacy appreciation, and recreation. Organize and structure your child's environment with regular routine for meals, homework, chores, bedtime, recreation. Offer frequent and specific praise to your child for good effort as well as success. READ "Overcoming Dyslexia" by Sally Shaywitz
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