Dyslexia Parents Group of Lexington  

Is your child struggling in school with any of the following?

• Reading, comprehension and/or writing
• Spelling
• Processing and comprehending what they’re hearing
• Expressing themselves clearly
• Math

These are all possible symptoms of Dyslexia.

About the Dyslexia Parents Group of Lexington

The Dyslexia Parents Group of Lexington is a sub-group of the Lexington Special Education Parent Teacher Association.

We meet monthly and are open to any parent in the Lexington Public Schools (LPS) who has a dyslexic child or thinks that they may have one and needs to talk with and learn from other parents. Whether or not your child is on an IEP, in the process of establishing one, or you’re just curious and need more information, please come to share your experiences, ask questions, and impart your knowledge in a supportive environment.

The goals of our group are to:

• Increase our collective knowledge of dyslexia and what our children need as learners
• Raise awareness of dyslexia among Lexington Public Schools’ educators, administrators and throughout the community
• Learn how to access testing and evaluation services to gain an accurate and comprehensive profile of our children
• Learn how to navigate the LPS Special Education system and advocate for our children to gain the right support services
• Raise our children’s self-confidence and help them advocate for their learning needs at school
• Learn from each other and celebrate the special gifts our children bring to the world

For more information about this group, please visit http://lexdyslexia.weebly.com/ or email: dyslexia@lexsepta.org.

Facts About Dyslexia

• Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, affecting approximately 15-20% of the population. About 70-85% of children who are placed in special education for learning disabilities are dyslexic.
• Dyslexia is neurological in origin. Individuals with dyslexia have difficulty in the areas of language processing, specifically a localized weakness within the phonologic module of the brain (where sounds of language are put together to form words or break words down, and to convert letters and words into sounds and speech).
• Dyslexia has been linked to certain genes that control how the brain develops.  It is thought that people with dyslexia use only the right side of the brain to process language, while non-dyslexics use three areas on the left side of the brain to process language.
• It appears to be an inherited condition that runs in families. Children have a 50% chance of having dyslexia if one parent has it, and a 100% chance if both parents have it.
• People with dyslexia are usually more creative and often have an average to above average level of intelligence.
• Dyslexia ranges from mild to severe. Around 40% of people with dyslexia also have ADHD. Those with dyslexia use about 5 times more energy to complete some mental tasks.

(Sources: Various. See https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-aboutdyslexia)

Elementary Literacy Learning & Dyslexia

Learn how Lexington Public Schools structures and supports literacy learning for students and identifies and responds to students who are striving to read, and may have risk factors for dyslexia or other language-based learning disabilities HERE.

Dyslexia Resources & Facts

International Dyslexia Association (MA Branch): Resources include a fact sheet on dyslexia and other related disorders, including dyscalculia and dysgraphia

Symptoms of Dyslexia By Age: Dyslexia symptoms can be difficult to recognize before your child enters school, but some early clues may indicate a problem. The condition often becomes apparent as a child starts learning to read.  This Mayo Clinic checklist has symptoms by age.

The list of resources below does not represent a specific endorsement of any business or product by the LexSEPAC & LexSEPTA.

Assessment Centers
A comprehensive neuropsychological and educational assessment will be necessary to determine whether or not your child has dyslexia and/or any other related disorders.  Here are some local assessment centers in and around Lexington:

• Child Development Network 76 Bedford St #12, Lexington, MA 02421. info@CDNKids.com 781-861-6655
• Neuropsychology & Education Services for Children and Adolescents (NESCA) 55 Chapel Street, Suite 202, Newton, MA. 617-658-9800
• Dr. Lynn Chachkes, School Psychologist and Independent Practitioner lynn.chachkes@hotmail.com
• Dr. Ann Brochin, One Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02481. 617-964-6630

Learning Centers

• Masonic Learning Centers/Children’s Dyslexia Center Boston North: Free one-on-one tutoring for children with language based learning disorders. Joyce Gillis, Center Director. 500 West Cummings Park,
  Suite 4400, Woburn, MA 01801. (781) 281-0492
• Institute of Learning and Development: 4 Militia Drive, Suite 20 Lexington, MA 02421. 781-861-3711
• Carroll School Tutor Referral Network: Email mailto:GIFTT@carrollschool.org for information

Documentary Films on Dyslexia

The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia

An HBO documentary which provides personal and uplifting accounts of the dyslexic experience from children, experts and iconic leaders, such as Sir Richard Branson and financier Charles Schwab. Directed by James Redford (son of Robert Redford), the film clears up misconceptions about the condition, but also paints a picture of hope for all who struggle with it. The work of Drs. Sally and Bennett Shaywitz, co-founders and co-directors of the Yale Center of Dyslexia and Creativity are also featured which illuminate the hidden origins and implications of dyslexia.

Embracing Dyslexia

A documentary film which helps educators and parents better understand dyslexia; explains why it is important for students struggling with reading, writing, and spelling to be screened for dyslexia as early as possible; and shows how proper tutoring and classroom accommodations can give these students a chance at success, in the classroom and beyond.

Note: Both these films are available on Amazon Instant Video

Wonder what your dyslexic child experiences? This video on reading and decoding demonstrates what it’s like: 

Educational Games and Aids:

Games Available at Apple App Store

• Dyslexia Quest by Nessy Learning Limited: The games focus on working memory, auditory memory, phonological awareness, processing speed, visual memory, and sequencing skills
• What’s My Reading Age by Nessy Learning Limited: Identifies reading age between 5-15 years and what you need to do to improve

Math Aids

• Memory Joggers from Learning Resources:
  Visually/story based flash cards to help master math facts
• Pizza Fraction Fun from Learning Resources:
  Teaches fraction concepts and skills using slices of pizza which students can manipulate to identify fraction denominations.