SPRING 2018 --
Edited by J. Beaton, D. Vincent, and S. Lurgio
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President's Message
Wonderful things are coming up in 2018, and this newsletter will tell you all about it – dyslexia related presentations and events, professional development opportunities, plus links to timely articles and videos. Special thanks to our board members, Jayne Beaton and Sue Lurgio, for putting it all together.
Have you heard that Ron Yoshimoto is coming back in September? This time Ron’s presentations will focus on how to teach morphology. When Ron was here in 2016, we had to turn people away when the conference sold out 3 months in advance. To avoid a repeat of that unpleasant experience, this year we are offering the conference twice: on Wednesday, September 19th in Fairlee, Vermont and on September 21st in Manchester, NH. Registration will open soon, so please mark your calendar and stay alert for emails announcing the start of registration.
We hope to see you at Nashua Community College on April 5th at 7 PM for a presentation entitled “New Hampshire’s Dyslexia Law: One Year Later.” Panelists Beth McClure, Heidi Zollman, and Paul Lynch will discuss the law’s provisions, resources available to school districts, and the experience of one NH school district that committed itself to training teachers in the evidence-based Orton-Gillingham approach. A question and answer session will follow the presentations. This program is free of charge and open to the public; 2 professional development hours are available for educators. Details are provided below.
NHIDA’s Board of Directors is grateful to our members and to all of you who support NHIDA’s mission to advance the understanding, identification, and effective treatment of dyslexia. Thank you all for your continued efforts on behalf of students, families, and schools.
Audrey Burke
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DON’T MISS NHIDA’S
2018 CONFERENCE
featuring
RON YOSHIMOTO
M.Ed., M.S.W.
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presenting
“It’s All Greek to Me” –
Morphology for the Primary Grades
Two locations:
Lake Morey Inn
Fairlee, VT
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Puritan Conference Center,
Manchester, NH
Friday, September 21, 2018
Registration opening soon!
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Tufts University's 2017 Presentation
How to Screen and Intervene:
Preventing Reading Disabilities in K-2 Through
Screening and Intervention
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Dr. Nadine Gaab, Associated Professor of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, and Dr. Melissa Orkin from Tufts University recently presented on how to screen and provide interventions for dyslexia. This informative
two hour video
is a valuable resource for evidenced based screenings and interventions required by the dyslexia law in New Hampshire. If you do not have time to watch the entire video, the screening and interventions section begins at approximately 44:00. The information prior to this section includes the compelling information on brain research and interventions prior to kindergarten. Please share this informative video.
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Controversial Research Article
French study makes worldwide news!
On October 18, 2017 a study published by physicists Albert LeFloch and Guy Ropars from the University of Rennes in France
click for article
reported findings that eye dominance and associated differences in the symmetry or asymmetry of certain structures within the eye appeared to be different in people with dyslexia and those who read with ease. Media outlets around the globe immediately touted this study as demonstrating a new basis for dyslexia and offering a new way to identify dyslexia in young children.
Those with deep knowledge of and experience with dyslexia were less quick to jump on the bandwagon, however, pointing to significant weaknesses in the study’s design, as well as an apparent basic misunderstanding by the researchers of what dyslexia is.
Here are three cautionary responses to the study that we would urge you to consider:
Mark Seidenberg, author of “Language at the Speed of Sight”,
click for link
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Articles
Letting His Guard Down About Dyslexia Struggles Helped Blueliner Brent Sopel Find Purpose
Brent Sopel, National Hockey League Blackhawks veteran, shares an incredible story about his struggles with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and alcoholism. He tells of how he kept his secret from his teammates, and why he turned to alcohol. Today Brent emails, talks, and meets with kids who play hockey and struggle with dyslexia. His inspirational story creates hope for many people with dyslexia and dysgraphia.
A Cadillac, Not A Ford
by Kevin Pendergast,The
Kildonan School
Students with IEP's, in public schools, deserve more than just minimal programming in the least restrictive environment. As of March 22, 2017, under the Supreme Court's unanimous decision, students with disabilities are entitled to higher standards, challenging objectives, and maximum programming. Kevin Pendergast expects the recent Supreme Court's decision,
Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District,
will require school districts to deliver a Cadillac and not a Ford.
(click here for link to blogpost)
How Comic Books Can Get Even Better for Dyslexic Readers
Comics, with short text, pictures and typographic choices, help many dyslexic students read and make sense of a narrative. However, the tradition of using only capital letters in speech bubbles and narration, makes reading more challenging for people with dyslexia. A new move is on the way to change the "old ways" and use mixed letters, which, studies show, will make reading easier for people with dyslexia.
10 Tech Hacks to Help a Struggling Reader
There are many technology resources available for struggling readers of all ages. Here is a list of Apps recommended by assistive technology experts who specialize in dyslexia. The Apps range from learning the foundational skills at the phoneme/alphabet level to reading and writing at the high school level.
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Dyslexia Legislative Efforts Across the Country
New York has a Dyslexia Law as of August 21, 2017. Ptahra Jeppe, a 24 year old law student with dyslexia, worked on drafting the legislation and advocating for its passage. Jeppe is thrilled that teachers will be made aware of dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.
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Radio Broadcasts
APR Series: Hard to Read: How American schools fail kids with dyslexia
This September 2017 documentary shares the struggles of many with dyslexia who have not received the specialized instruction they are entitled to by federal law. Within the series is an article,
"In Ohio parents demand change for dyslexic kids,"
(link to article)
which focuses
on
an Ohio school district that now teaches all children to read using a phonics based approach after a group of parents filed a complaint with the Ohio Department of Education.
NPR:
When Dyslexic Students Are Denied in School
This informative program on dyslexia includes a family that fought for services, dyslexia expert Dr. Sally Shaywitz, Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education from the U.S. Department of Education, Kimberly Richey and educational journalist, Emily Hanford. Hanford makes the point that evidence-based instruction would benefit all students who are learning to read and therefore reduce the number of referrals for special education services.
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Upcoming Events
NHIDA and Nashua Community College
present
New Hampshire's Dyslexia Law: A Year Later
Thursday, April 5, 2018, 7:00-9:00
Nashua Community College
505 Amherst Street
Nashua, NH
Free and open to the public
(2 professional development hours for educators)
Three speakers, each knowledgeable and passionate about dyslexia, will discuss the dyslexia law that was enacted in 2016. They will present their experiences during this first year and the implications for schools, teachers, students and parents. One school district that has embraced the law's intent by implementing evidence-based teacher training will report on how that is helping their struggling readers. For information on our speakers, Beth McClure, Paul Lynch, and Heidi Zollman
click here
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Stern Center Professional Learning Opportunities
Vermont
03/08/18, Thursday,
A Model for Managing Anxiety and Improving Self-Regulation
03/30/18, Friday, Orton-Gillingham: Robust Vocabulary
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Upcoming
Teacher Training Opportunities
Orton-Gillingham 60 hour Associate Level training
with Beth MCClure, M.Ed., AOGPE
in Pembroke, NH
8:30 a.m - 3:00 p.m. on
June 25-29, 2018
and
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on July 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 2018
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Stern Center Professional Learning
Orton-Gillingham Training Programs by the Stern Center
June 18-27, 2018, Associate Level Training
Green Mountain Technology and Career Center
Hyde Park, Vermont
July 9-18, 2018, Associate Level Training
Rivendell Academy
Orford, New Hampshire
July 23-27, 2018 Advanced Orton-Gillingham Applications:Certified Level
Williston, Vermont
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Wilson Language Training Programs
at the Stern Center for Language and Learning
in Williston, Vermont
05/01/18, Tuesday, Fundations Level 1
05/02/18, Wednesday, Fundations Level 2
05/07/18, Monday, Fundations Level K
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IDA's 2018 National Conference is coming to New England!
October 24-27, 2018
Foxwoods Resort
Mashantucket, Connect
Conference registration will open this summer
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ON-LINE INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES
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Orton Oak
status is conferred upon
individuals who have been IDA members
for 25 years or longer.
NHIDA is grateful to its
Orton Oaks
and to these other long-term members for their steadfast commitment to the organization
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Are you a teacher, parent, individual with dyslexia, professional, school, or other organization?
Become a member of IDA today!
The benefits of membership vary
according to membership level,
Are you a service provider?
Become a member at the professional level and have your name/business included in NHIDA's provider list.
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TeamQuest invites you to use your passion for running by participating in International Dyslexia Association's endurance training and fundraising program to support adults and school age children struggling with dyslexia.
Throughout each year, half and full marathons are held in exiting destinations including New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and Arizona. In June, TeamQuest will be at the 20th anniversary of the original Rock 'n' Roll Marathon at Rock 'n' Roll San Diego. TeamQuest also appreciates any donations to support a run or runner.
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2018 NHIDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NHIDA's Board of Directors consists of up to 15 individuals who serve on a volunteer basis for 2 or 3 year terms. Members of the Board are guided and assisted in their work by former Directors who serve on the Advisory Board
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2018 Board Officers:
President
: Audrey Burke, Bow, NH
Vice President
: Michelle Stinson, Hanover, NH
Secretary
: Rebecca Nelson-Avery, Manchester, NH
Treasurer
: Anne Eaton, Concord, NH
2018 Members at Large:
Jayne Beaton, Amherst, NH
Leslie Benton-Norris, Manchester, NH
Shannon Dixon-Yandow, Essex Junction, VT
Anne Ehret, Arlington, VT
Kara Garvey-Knapp, East Dummerston, VT
Jill Hartmann, Chester, NH
Sue Lurgio, Dunbarton, NH
Brenda Peters, Londonderry, NH
Dale Vincent, Concord, NH
Advisory Board:
Aileen Cormier, Amherst, NH
Valerie Leuchter, Barnstead, NH
Melissa Farrall, St. Albans, VT
Claudia Golda-Dominguez, Hudson, NH
Renee LeCain, Sandown, NH
Beth McClure, Canterbury, NH
Sue Morbey, Amherst, NH
E. Bette Nelson, Manchester, NH
Caryl Patten, Bedford, NH
Michael Patten, Westfield, MA
NHIDA
P.O. Box 3724, Concord, NH 03302-3724
(603) 229-7355 (to leave a message)
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