October is Dyslexia Awareness Month

We understand as tutors, but also as parents ourselves, that it can feel scary and overwhelming to learn that your child is dyslexic. Especially when you don’t understand what that means, where to turn for help, or how it will impact their future. In honor of Dyslexia Awareness Month, we’re sharing some of our favorite resources to help students and their families navigate and persevere through a dyslexia diagnosis. With a proper diagnosis and early intervention, your student will succeed! 

Some of the most brilliant minds we encounter at TVT are those with a dyslexia diagnosis. Often, these students fall within “superior intelligence” range and are extremely verbal, however, they are struggling in school because it’s difficult for them to read. Our goal is to close this gap by providing intervention with the Orton-Gillingham methodologies, allowing students to reach their fullest potential. 

“I wish more people talked about the brilliance of the neurodivergent brain. There are limits, and there are also extreme gifts. Creativity, high empathy, the ability to recognize patterns - just to name a few. When our brains exist outside of the standard “box,” outside of the lines - we’re gifted with a sensitivity and set of skills that are often not recognized in our culture. Brilliance is so subtle that the majority of people cannot even recognize it. Start to recognize it in yourself, even when you’re misunderstood.”  - Dr. Nicole LePera - The Holistic Psychologist

BOOKS ABOUT DYSLEXIA 

For Children & Teens:

Aaron Slater, Illustrator: A Picture Book (The Questioneers) by Andrea Beaty

Brilliant Bea: A Story for Kids With Dyslexia and Learning Differences by Shaina Rudolph, Mary Vukadinovich

Ben and Emma's Big Hit by Gavin Newsom & Ruby Shamir

Cartwheels: Finding Your Special Kind of Smart by Tracy S. Peterson

Dr. Dyslexia Dude Volumes 1, 2 & 3 by Dr. Shawn & Inshirah Robinson 

Dyslexia is My Superpower (Most of the Time) by Margaret Rooke

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt *

A Walk in the Rain with a Brain by Edward Hallowell

Hacking the Code: The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a Dyslexic Kid by Gea Meijering

If You're So Smart, How Come You Can't Spell Mississippi: An Encouraging Book About Dyslexia and Growth Mindset for Kids and Resource for Teachers and Parents (The Adventures of Everyday Geniuses) by Barbara Esham

Magnificent Meg: A Read-Aloud Book to Encourage Children with Dyslexia 
by Andra Harris

Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco *

The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia by Diane Burton Robb

For Adults:

Overcoming Dyslexia (2020 Edition) Completely Revised and Updated 
by Sally Shaywitz *

Dyslexia Advocate!: How to Advocate for a Child with Dyslexia within the Public Education System by Kelli Sandman-Hurley

Language at the Speed of Sight: How We Read, Why So Many Can't, and What Can Be Done About It by Mark Seidenberg

The Dyslexic Advantage (Revised and Updated): Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain by Brock L. Eide M.D. M.A.

The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan: A Blueprint for Renewing Your Child's Confidence and Love of Learning by Ben Foss

This is Dyslexia by Kate Griggs

The Many Faces of Dyslexia by Margaret Byrd Rawson

Uncovering the Logic of English: A Common-Sense Approach to Reading, Spelling, and Literacy byDenise Eide

Parenting a Struggling Reader by Susan Hall & Louisa Moats

Straight Talk about Reading by Susan Hall & Louisa Moats

The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan by Benn Foss

Reader, Come Home by Maryanne Wolf

Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain
by Maryanne Wolf

"If only I would have known..." series by Faith Borkowsky

Failing Students or Failing Schools?: A Parents's Guide to Reading Instruction and Intervention by Faith Borkowsky

A Guide to Special Education Advocacy, What Parents, Clinicians, and Advocates Need to Know by Matt Cohen

ONLINE RESOURCES ABOUT DYSLEXIA 

www.dyslexiahelp.umich.edu
www.everyonereadingillinois.org. Improving lives of people of all ages with dyslexia with information and support 
www.dyslexia.yale.edu  Increasing the awareness of dyslexia and bringing out the intellectual and creative strengths of people with dyslexia
www.learningally.org  Enabling schools to support struggling readers and building a strong foundation for engaged learners to achieve regardless of their learning difference
www.wilsonlanguage.com  Empowering individual educators, schools, and districts to achieve literacy of all students, specifically those with dyslexia
www.understood.org  Connecting people facing challenges like ADHD and dyslexia while providing them the support that is needed
www.dagnaperville.com  Providing detailed information and local resources regarding dyslexia
www.dyslexia.ida.org  Effective reading instruction for dyslexics fact sheet
www.dyslexicadvantage.org 
www.interdys.org  International Dyslexia Association
www.1in5.learningally.org  Learning Ally Student Initiative
www.dyslexiabuddynetwork.com 
https://il.thereadingleague.org/ The Reading League of Illinois 
www.ldonline.org 
www.readingrockets.com 
www.ncld.org  The National Center for learning disabilities 
www.isbe.net/Documents/Parent-Guide-Special-Ed-Aug20.pdf free parent guide to special education services, laws, functions,  and resources from the Illinois State Board of Education 
www.wrightslaw.com  From Emotions to Advocacy and Special Education Law-

Additional Resources can be found on our resource page here. 

If you have a student who you believe may be struggling with dyslexia or any other learning differences, do not hesitate to contact our team. We have a wide range of expertise in the area of dyslexia, and welcome the opportunity to support your student and family! 

* A TVT Favorite