Advocate – Decoding Dyslexia Missouri

Let’s Make 2022 a “Reading Success”! Support SB681 and HB1556

Posted on January 26, 2022 by DecodeMO

The “Reading Success” bills (SB681 and HB1556), sponsored by Senator O’Laughlin and Representative Gregory, update current state statute to include appropriate, scientific evidence-based practices that help students with dyslexia and other reading deficiencies learn to read. It would require schools to use structured literacy and the science of reading for students who are screened positive for dyslexia in public school screenings or who have a diagnosis of dyslexia.You can read the full text for these bills by clicking on the blue links above.

Please contact your legislators today and ask them to support SB681 and HB1556! (You can find the contact information for your legislators here.)

We will be sure to keep you updated as these bills progress during the session. Let’s make 2022 the year that all children have “Reading Success”!

House “Reading Success” Bill (HB2470) March 17 Hearing Cancelled Due to CoVID-19 Restrictions at State Capitol

Posted on February 6, 2020 by DecodeMO

The MO State Capitol has now been put on a restriction of “essential personnel” only due to the CoVID-19 prevention concerns, and the March 17 House Education Committee public hearing for HB2470 has been cancelled.

We will update everyone on any rescheduling information or ways to submit testimony as they are communicated.

In the meantime, please support this important bill by contacting the House Education Committee members and asking for their support of structured literacy. A bill summary can be found here. Full details of HB2470 can be found here.

Take a moment to review the full text of this bill and read our “Talking Points”. Then let the Committee Members know how crucial appropriate evidenced-based reading instruction is for dyslexic children. This legislation would positively influence all children struggling with literacy in public schools.

We cannot over-emphasize how important your calls/emails will be in the forward movement of this bill and future passage!

Let’s show our Legislators that this bill really matters to families in MO! Please contact the following members of the House Education Committee by phone or email to respectfully request them for their support. Personal examples of your child’s struggles and when he or she has succeeded with the right kind of help will make your story, letter or email more compelling. (See sample letter below for ideas.)

House Education Committee Members:

Rep Chuck Basye (Committee Chairman) (573) 751-1501 email here
Rep. Dottie Bailey (Committee Vice-Chair) (573) 751-0562 email here
Rep. Judy Morgan (573) 751-4485 email here
Rep. Ben Baker (573) 751-9781 email here
Rep. Gretchen Bangert (573) 751-5365 email here
Rep. Paula Brown (573) 751-4163 email here
Rep. Phil Christofanelli (573) 751-2949 email here
Rep. Shamed Dogan (573) 751-4392 email here
Rep. Karla Eslinger (573) 751-2042 email here
Rep. Michael O’Donnell (573) 751-3762 email here
Rep. Raychel Proudie (573) 751-0855 email here
Rep. Nick Schroer (573) 751-1470 email here
Rep. Dan Stacy (573) 751-8636 email here
Rep. Kathryn Swan (573) 751-1443 email here

Please take a moment today to show your support for appropriate reading interventions for students with dyslexia!
____________________________________________________________________________________

Sample letter:

Dear __________,

I am writing today to ask for your support of (insert bill number here__________) that has been referred to your Education Committee and was scheduled to be heard on March 17. This bill will require schools to adopt a structured literacy intervention program that is evidenced based to help children with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.

My child has struggled…(include a short personal story).

That is why I feel that not only my child but every child who struggles with dyslexia would benefit from the passage of HB2470. I respectfully ask for your support of this bill!

Sincerely,

Registration Open for DDMO Dyslexia Conference

Posted on July 9, 2017 by DecodeMO

Join us Friday, October 20, 2017, for a conference entitled “Establishing Resilience in Youth with Dyslexia” presented by Decoding Dyslexia Missouri in conjunction with Burrell Behavioral Health in Springfield, MO. This daylong event of expert advice will address the identification and treatment of dyslexia where we explore not only how to strengthen early identification, treatment, and resources; but also how to focus on building strengths and resilience.

Our national experts will provide information designed to guide the assessment of dyslexia and reading disorders, explore technology supports, as well as provide expert advice on building resilience in youth struggling with dyslexia. Parents of Dyslexic students will benefit from the information and strategies discussed, as the conference will provide an enhanced understanding of current trends and advocacy for their children.

Registration is $39 for teachers and professionals, $29 for Students or Parents of a dyslexic child. Seating is limited, so register early here to attend. Traveling from out of town? We have special room rates for the conference. Please see details on the registration page.

Featured Presentations

Dyslexia: An Overview, Interventions, and Building Resilience

Kelli Sandman-Hurley, EdD

Dr. Sandman-Hurley, author of “The Dyslexia Advocate” and co-founder of The Dyslexia Training Institute, will be providing an overview of what dyslexia is, and what it is not. Dyslexia is not a gift. It just isn’t. Students with dyslexia are not going to be successful, creative geniuses because they are dyslexic. They are going to be successful, creative geniuses because they are resilient, have support from community and family, are smart, and like the rest of us found something they love. The books written about those who are uber successful have super-supportive families or someone in their life who took an interest. You may be that person. Throughout the day Dr. Sandman-Hurley will describe what dyslexia is – from symptoms to challenges, to interventions, and finally to building the characteristics that lead to resilience. She will also provide an introduction to teaching the structure of the English language.

Technology for Students with Dyslexia

John Effinger, MS, CCC-SLP

This session will discuss technology accommodations for students with Dyslexia in the classroom. Alternative text access for reading and writing will be discussed including alternative educational materials (AEM) for students not on an IEP. In addition, we will discuss computers and tablets that can be used with software and apps to increase access to text and increase written production.

Self Advocacy for the Dyslexic Student

A. Noel Leif, CALT/ICALP

This session will discuss the importance of teaching and encouraging children to have the ability to self-advocate in the classroom setting. Children need to know how to tell their story effectively and communicate their strengths as well as their challenges and how to ask for what they need to succeed from educators.