Understanding Dyslexia
Resources for Parents and Educators
Helping your child with dyslexia...
Here are resources to help YOU make a difference.
Understood for Learning and Attention Issues
Understood for Learning and Attention Issues is a website that provides examples of what dyslexia looks like at different ages as well as a list of skills that can be affected by dyslexia. It provides a Ted Ed video to help explain dyslexia, testimonials for children who have dyslexia as well as a simulation of what it is like to have dyslexia so that the teacher or parent can gain a better understanding of what it is like for the child. It goes on to further explain that even though there is only one official type of dyslexia, scientists are discovering that there may be several subtypes: Phonological Dyslexia, Surface Dyslexia, and Directional Dyslexia.
Nessy
Nessy.com provides a three-step program for awareness teaching: Intervention, Assessment, and Training. They have information for teachers, help for parents, free webinars, and a free trial for their reading program (buying the program costs $100/yr. It is used in schools and can be used at home). This website also focuses on the nine things dyslexics are better. Links for parents include: Is My Child Dyslexic, 10 Things Parents Should Know, and 6 Ways Parents Can Help.
The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity
The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity is an extensive website aimed at ‘’Identifying Young At-Risk Children
Before They Experience Reading Failure’’. It has a ton of information for parents and for educators. For parents, there is information on how to identify the signs of dyslexia and steps to take for early intervention. For educators, there are articles written by other educators, student success stories, strategies to use in the classroom, reading lists, a list and advice on Assistive Technologies, videos, etc.
Resources in Your Community
The International Dyslexia Association (ONBIDA)
The Ontario Branch of the International Dyslexia Association is a non-profit charitable organization founded in June 2004. The branch is operated by volunteers, providing free information, support and referral services to the public.
ONBIDA* assists people with dyslexia, their families and the communities that support them by:
Providing support, information and up-to-date resource information
Creating public awareness of dyslexia
Responding to general public inquiries related to dyslexia
Maintaining a referral list of testing/tutoring resources
Presenting an annual conference
Hosting Speaker Series and Parent Education Groups
Publishing a newsletter for distribution to the members, community partners and other relevant parties
Contact info:
http://www.idaontario.com/about-us/
647-823-4724
The Reading School
The Reading School offers:
INSTRUCTION
-one-on-one support for struggling readers and spellers in English or French
-whole class phonics instruction (for private schools) dyslexia-in-children
ASSESSMENT
-dyslexia assessment
-functional reading and spelling assessment
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PARENT SUPPORT
-one-on-one or small group support for homeschooling parents of struggling readers
-professional development in the area of reading and spelling development and disability
-informational workshops
Contact info:
http://www.thereadingschool.ca/
416-537-READ (7323)
Our Kids
INSTRUCTION
-one-on-one support for struggling readers and spellers in English or French
-whole class phonics instruction (for private schools) dyslexia-in-children
ASSESSMENT
-dyslexia assessment
-functional reading and spelling assessment
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PARENT SUPPORT
-one-on-one or small group support for homeschooling parents of struggling readers
-professional development in the area of reading and spelling development and disability
-informational workshops
Contact info:
http://www.ourkids.net/dyslexia.php
416-537-7323
Oakville Success Centre
The Dyslexia Correction Program is one-on-one and takes one week. It is normally conducted from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and is paced to suit the individual, with snacks and breaks throughout the day, plus a one-hour lunch break.
Follow-up work at home is required for the client to become a “corrected dyslexic”. Training is provided on the last afternoon of the program week for the individuals who will help the client complete the follow-up work.
Contact info:
http://www.dyslexiacorrection.ca/
905-844-4144