Dyslexia Resources
A fantastic resource for learning more about dyslexia can be found at Bright Solutions for Dyslexia. This website offers a multitude of videos that are extremely helpful for gaining knowledge about dyslexia and can aid in dyslexia advocacy. I highly suggest spending time watching the free videos before meeting with your child’s school for dyslexia screening if you suspect they may have dyslexia. By doing so, you will gain valuable insight and knowledge that will help you advocate effectively for your child’s reading support and what they need to succeed.
Reports & Podcasts
The podcast Sold A Story presents a powerful narrative about the devastating effects of neglecting what science teaches us regarding how children learn to read, especially in contrast to the reading curriculums that publishing companies sell to schools.
While it is true that a small number of children may not require explicit phonics instruction to learn to read successfully, as some can decipher reading and spelling codes based on classroom instruction, this approach falls short for the vast majority. This is especially true for children with dyslexia, who often need targeted reading support. Why wouldn't we implement the most up-to-date research to teach all children in the classroom how to read, especially when it could benefit the 20% who have dyslexia? Dyslexia advocacy emphasizes that explicit phonics instruction not only enhances reading skills for everyone but also ensures that students with dyslexia receive the support they need.
Another report that I highly recommend listening to is Hard to Read: How American Schools Fail Kids with Dyslexia. (Linked Below) Reports like these are essential for understanding the ongoing struggle that dyslexia advocacy groups highlight between parents of dyslexic children and public schools across the nation. If you know or suspect your child has dyslexia, it is crucial to invest time in listening to this report, especially in light of the importance of dyslexia screening. This information is something all parents of children with dyslexia need to hear now, particularly as they seek effective reading support.
Advocacy for proper education
So where do we direct our frustrations to make meaningful changes for our kids?
In Montana, we can leverage SB0140 (link ://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://leg.mt.gov/bills/2019/billpdf/SB0140.pdf (The Dyslexia Bill)) to advocate for what our kids with dyslexia truly deserve. Many schools are not compliant with the necessary standards. We must ensure that future teachers receive the correct training at the collegiate level, aligning with research on how the brain learns to read. Furthermore, we can advocate for effective dyslexia screening to guarantee that the interventions used for dyslexic students are approved by the International Dyslexia Association. Unfortunately, a vast majority of schools are utilizing intervention programs that lack research-backed effectiveness for dyslexic students. These students often find themselves spinning their wheels on reading support programs that are not beneficial, making only small gains while struggling to catch up to their peers or meet grade-level expectations. We can raise our voices during board meetings and engage with those responsible for curriculum purchases. It is crucial that we do NOT place blame on classroom teachers, who are overworked and underpaid nationwide and genuinely want to help their students. They need improved resources and training; we can advocate for their needs as well.