This familiaRise segment comes from the RISD Special and Gifted Education PTA (SAGE PTA).
Our PTA is grateful for RISD’s commitment to dyslexia services, including the recent dual accreditation achieved by the RISD Dyslexia Training Center! Did you know:
- Dyslexia is lifelong (though intervention can help students learn to read!) and it is experienced by 15-20% of people.
- Students must receive an identification of dyslexia before receiving specialized instruction to remediate their reading process. Teachers, parents and administrators play vital roles in the identification process under Texas law. If parents suspect their child may have a learning disability, they may request a full evaluation from RISD.
- Dyslexia has no impact on intelligence and occurs in learning at all levels.
- Nationally, English Learners, African American students, and other non-white populations are underrepresented among those identified with dyslexia; increasing awareness is important for accurate identification.
- Accommodations for dyslexia– as for any disability– do not put students at an “advantage,” but rather remove barriers to provide equal access.
- Contrary to myth, dyslexia does not involve seeing things backwards. (Check out some dyslexia myths and facts!)
- Students may feel encouraged to know about world-changing artists, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders with dyslexia!
We invite parents and teachers to raise awareness, to celebrate the strengths of dyslexic individuals, and to engage in conversations about the needs of these incredible students.