Your Strengths: Discover What Makes You, You
Discover your strengths, explore your interests, and learn about successful people with Dyslexia, including Tom Holland and Steven Spielberg. This article helps students recognize their abilities, identify what they enjoy, and discover how their strengths can shape their future. It also includes reflection questions to help you better understand what makes you unique.
How to Be Your Own Advocate
Learning to speak up for yourself is an important skill for students with Dyslexia. This article explains how to recognize what helps you learn, understand your accommodations, ask teachers for support, and communicate when something isn't working. It includes practical examples of what to say, tips for participating in IEP and 504 meetings, and a free Student Self-Advocacy Tips worksheet to help you identify your needs and build confidence in advocating for yourself.
Assistive Technology & Dyslexia
Assistive technology helps individuals with Dyslexia overcome challenges with reading, writing, spelling, and organization. This article explores common tools, including text-to-speech, speech-to-text, audiobooks, word prediction, and digital organizers. It provides practical examples for students, parents, and educators, along with guidance on choosing the right tools, incorporating them into IEPs and 504 Plans, and building independence at school, at home, and in everyday life
Accommodations in the Classroom: Helping Students with Dyslexia Access Learning
Accommodations are not cheating or special treatment. They help level the playing field so students with Dyslexia can access the curriculum and demonstrate what they know. This article provides practical guidance for teachers and parents on implementing IEP and 504 accommodations in the classroom, including extended time, assistive technology, accessible assignments, and testing supports. Learn what accommodations should look like during everyday instruction, how to ensure they are being provided consistently, and how to determine whether they are meeting a student's needs.
Progress Monitoring: How to Know if Supports Are Working
How do you know if your child's special education services and accommodations are actually helping? Progress monitoring allows parents to track their child's growth, understand IEP progress reports, and determine whether SMART goals are being met. Learn what to look for in progress reports, why your child's feedback matters, and what questions to ask when progress is slower than expected.
Special Education & Dyslexia Glossary: 267 Terms Parents Should Know
The Special Education & Dyslexia Glossary is a free, parent-friendly resource featuring 267 commonly used terms and definitions. It goes beyond Dyslexia and reading to cover special education, IEPs, evaluations, accommodations, instructional supports, behavior, communication, transition and more. Use it as a quick reference when reviewing school documents, preparing for meetings or whenever you come across an unfamiliar term.
Signs of Dyslexia
Learn the common signs of dyslexia from preschool through high school, including difficulties with reading, spelling, decoding, writing, and reading fluency. Understand what parents should watch for, why good grades don't rule out dyslexia, and when ongoing reading struggles may be a sign that it's time to consider an evaluation.
I Think My Child Might Have Dyslexia. What Should I do?
As a parent, you know your child best. When you start to notice that something doesn’t feel quite right with your child’s reading or writing progress, it’s natural to feel worried and full of questions. Maybe your child is bright, curious, and eager to learn, yet struggles with reading simple words.
If you suspect your child may have dyslexia, trust your instincts. Early action and the right support can make a world of difference.
Understanding the IEP Service Delivery Grid
The Service Delivery Grid in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is like a roadmap that explains what services your child will receive, who will provide them, and where they’ll take place.
Navigating Disagreements with Your IEP Team: Options for Resolving Conflicts in Special Education
In special education, collaboration between families and educators is essential to creating a supportive learning environment for students with unique needs. However, there may be times when families disagree with the school’s decisions regarding a child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Understanding your rights and options when disagreements arise can be empowering and can lead to positive solutions for your child.
Understanding the Least Restrictive Environment
If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for dyslexia, or if you’re in the process of developing one, you may have encountered the term Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Let’s dive into LRE.
Navigating the Transition from Elementary to Middle School with Dyslexia
Navigating the transition from elementary to middle school can be daunting for any child, but for a child with Dyslexia, the challenges can feel even more overwhelming. The shift from a single primary classroom teacher to multiple teachers, changing classes, managing lockers, and adapting to more complex schedules can create confusion and stress. This was a significant moment in my journey, not only as a parent but as an advocate, and it’s what ultimately led me to become a Dyslexia Advocate and start the Dyslexia Advocacy Center.
Here are some tips to help you, your child, and your family navigate this transition smoothly while ensuring continued support for your child's dyslexia:
Understanding Assessments: What the School Evaluation Really Tells You
For parents navigating the world of special education, one of the most important steps in getting your child the support they need is the school evaluation process. Whether your child has been referred for an evaluation due to concerns about dyslexia or as part of the three-year evaluation, the assessment results provide essential information that helps to shape their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan.
However, understanding the technical language of these assessments and knowing what it all means for your child’s learning can be overwhelming. This blog post will break down the key components of educational assessments and guide you through how to interpret the results so you can better understand your child’s unique needs.
Understanding the Difference Between an IEP and a 504
Navigating the education system can feel overwhelming for parents of children with dyslexia. Two key tools that help ensure students with learning disabilities receive the support they need are the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and the 504 Plan. While both provide accommodations and support, they have distinct purposes and eligibility requirements. Understanding the difference between an IEP and a 504 Plan is crucial for parents to effectively advocate for their child’s educational success.
Supporting Dyslexia in the Classroom: Practical Strategies Teachers Can Use Every Day
Supporting students with Dyslexia in the classroom starts with practical strategies teachers can use every day. This article provides actionable tips for making reading and writing assignments more accessible, implementing IEP and 504 accommodations, using assistive technology, and helping students demonstrate what they know. With real classroom examples and simple adjustments, general education teachers can better support students with Dyslexia across all grade levels.
IEP Accommodations for Dyslexia
For students with dyslexia, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is key to ensuring they receive the appropriate support needed to succeed in school. One important aspect of an IEP is the inclusion of accommodations—adjustments that help level the playing field, allowing students with learning differences to access the curriculum and demonstrate their knowledge without changing the academic standards.
10 Tips for Parents Preparing for IEP Meetings
Navigating the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process can be challenging for parents, especially when advocating for a child with dyslexia or other learning differences. IEP meetings are critical opportunities to discuss your child's needs, progress, and the support they'll receive in school. Learn ten essential tips to help you prepare for IEP meetings effectively.
What is an IEP?
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a written document developed for a student who qualifies for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It serves as a customized roadmap that outlines the educational support and services a child needs to succeed in school. The IEP is more than just a set of instructions; it’s a legal document that ensures students with disabilities receive the resources and accommodations they need to make meaningful progress in their education.
Why I Started the Dyslexia Advocacy Center
Learn why I started the Dyslexia Advocacy Center.
How Parents Can Emotionally Support Children with Dyslexia
Navigating the world with dyslexia can be a unique challenge for children, but as a parent, you play a pivotal role in providing emotional support that boosts your child’s confidence and resilience. While academic interventions are important, emotional well-being is just as crucial for your child’s success.