Dyslexia Tutoring for All

You know those moments where you are struck with absolute clarity about your purpose in life. I believe for me, I was meant to help those who have dyslexia. This moment happened about a year ago when I began working with specialists to determine what was going on with my son. In addition to his ADHD (Inattentive type), we realized his struggles with the written language are due in large part to having dyslexia and dysgraphia. All of those times where I thought something else was going on, something more than the ADHD, and then someone gave me this word - DYSLEXIA. 

For the past year, I have been learning everything I can about dyslexia. Two of the most astounding things that I have come across in my research about dyslexia would be the prevalence of those with dyslexia and the lack of resources in place to help who "suffer" from it. 70-80% of people with poor reading skills, are likely dyslexic. One in five students, or 15-20% of the population, has a language based learning disability. Dyslexia is the most common of the language based learning disabilities.

I graduated from Illinois State University in 2005 with a B. S. in Special Education. Illinois State is one of the leading schools in education but I cannot remember any time being spent on the topic of dyslexia. I believe fundamental changes are beginning to happen within the educational system but it is not happening fast enough.

I want to be a part of the change. I feel passionately about helping those impacted by dyslexia, both in the big picture and little picture. In addition to the written language difficulties, those who have dyslexia also have an increased risk of emotional traumas that can impact their future. Some studies estimate that almost half of the prison population suffers from dyslexia.

Dyslexia has its advantages. Many who have dyslexia also have an easier time with big picture concepts, identifying and memorizing complex images, noticing patterns, a keen spatial knowledge, and are highly creative. They make great scientist, engineers, architects, entrepreneurs, etc. How great would it be to catch everyone who has dyslexia at an early age to show them what they are capable of? That they CAN read if given the right instruction and tools.

In trying to find dyslexia tutoring for my son, I have realized there is very little help available. The schools in our area don’t have the resources and hiring a tutor (if you can find one) can easily add up quickly ($120 a week for three 1-hour sessions). Even in a double-income household, that is really something that isn't affordable for most. In a low-income family that amount would be next to impossible.

This is where I need your help. I am seeking to obtain a certificate through the Dyslexia Training Institute. Through this program, I can begin using the Orton-Gillingham approach to begin tutoring those with dyslexia. O-G training is a research-based approach to help struggling readers. My dream is to be able to provide this tutoring to any individual who needs it, regardless of age or income.

Please help me reach my dream. I promise to pay this forward.

Including some links below if you would like more information about dyslexia and/or the Orton-Gillingham approach.

https://www.orton-gillingham.com/
http://www.dyslexiatraininginstitute.org/index.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zafiGBrFkRM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dPyzFFcG7A