Join Spring Hill and educators across the state of Virginia and the country as we explore Dyslexia Awareness.

What is Dyslexia?

According to the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability. Dyslexia refers to a cluster of symptoms that results in people having difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading. Students with dyslexia often experience difficulties with both oral and written other language skills, such as writing, and pronouncing words and writing. Dyslexia affects individuals throughout their lives; however, its impact can change at different stages in a person’s life. It is referred to as a learning disability because dyslexia can make it very difficult for a student to succeed without phonics-based reading instruction that is unavailable in most public schools.. In its more severe forms, a student with dyslexia may qualify for special education with specially designed instruction, and as appropriate, accommodations.  

For more information on dyslexia and tools available for families, you can read the IDA Dyslexia Handbook: What Every Family Should Know or watch the video below. 

The Virginia Department of Education is also hosting a Zoom session to help families and schools work together to support children’s literacy success in and out of school. See below for more detail. 

Families and Schools Partnering for Children’s Literacy Success <--Click here to join the Zoom on October 26th!

Date and time: October 26, 2022, 7–8 p.m.

Participants will learn a) tips for starting or enhancing discussions about literacy instruction and intervention, b) ways to increase joint understanding of evidence-based literacy practices, and c) strategies for addressing concerns about children’s literacy development together. Free evidence-based resources to support family-school literacy partnerships from the National Center on Improving Literacy (NCIL) will be overviewed.

Presenter: Dr. Sarah Sayko is a Senior Research Associate at Research Making Change (RMC) Research Corporation in Arlington, Virginia. She is also the Deputy Director and leads the Parent and Family Strand of NCIL.