Dyslexia Awareness observed by AISD
By Melinda L. Lucas
Acknowledging the problems that dyslexic students face is the goal of information going out this month from Albany ISD specialist Kristie Smith.
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and Smith is trying to share as many facts about dyslexia as possible through various methods, including reading a book about dyslexia to elementary classes and meeting with parents of identified students.
According to Smith, dyslexia is one of the most prevalent language-based learning disabilities.
She is currently serving 19 students within the district, but there are actually 36 Albany students identified with dyslexia and related disorders.
Local members of the Masonic Lodge #482 and Albany Independent School District personnel have worked together for over a decade to support and help local students who struggle with speech and language disabilities through Texas Scottish Rite Children’s Take Flight program.
Smith, who is a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist (LDR), explained that Albany students continue to receive comprehensive intervention using the program, utilizing multi-sensory techniques for basic instruction in reading, writing, and spelling.
Last September, the State Board of Education gave final approval for updates to the Texas Dyslexia Handbook, requiring school districts to make policy, procedure, and practice changes.
Smith immediately started working on the requirements so the district would be in compliance when the changes went into effect.
“The major change for Albany ISD was the path for evaluation for dyslexia,” she said. “Previously, an evaluation for dyslexia could be completed by the district dyslexia coordinator or through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).”
She explained that the new policy for an evaluation has been moved to a single pathway for identification under the IDEA. This change means that anytime the district suspects that a student has dyslexia or a related disorder and may need dyslexia intervention services, the district must seek parental consent for a Full Individual Initial Evaluation (FIIE) under the IDEA.
“Using a single pathway for identification of dyslexia and related disorders ensures that districts fulfill their child-find obligations under the IDEA,” said Smith.
Tri-County Co-op, the agency that AISD contracts with for such services, conducts the additional evaluations, headed up by Albany resident Susan Britting.
Meanwhile, Albany ISD, as required by TEA, continues to screen kindergarten, first graders, and seventh graders for dyslexia.
One of the other new requirements was to provide a parent education program, which was held Oct. 12 at the elementary campus.
Parents can find the AISD dyslexia handbook website www.albanyisd.net.
Recent studies reveal that the whole spectrum of reading disabilities is strongly determined by genetic predispositions.
For some individuals who remain undiagnosed, dyslexia is a hidden disability that can result in underemployment, difficulty navigating academic environments, difficulty on the job, and reduced self-confidence.
