Dyslexia Advocate!: How to Advocate for a Child with Dyslexia within the Public Education System

I recently attended a conference where Dr. Kelli Sandman Hurley spoke along with her colleagues Tracy Block-Zaretsky, and, Linguist, Gina Cooke.We received a Dyslexia diagnosis for our young child and, as a mom, I found myself struggling to understand not only her diagnosis but how to get her the services she needed both within the public school system and tutoring outside of the school.Dr. Sandman-Hurley's book is one of encouragement...the path can seem bleak and lonely as we've attempted to navigate educating our school regarding Dyslexia. There still seems to be a myth that Dyslexia even exists!Not only was the book a resource regarding the laws, steps one needs to take in advocating, but it also talked honestly about what Dyslexic children need.This brings me back to my first encounter with Dr. Sandman-Hurley and her colleagues. Their "Dyslexia For A Day" workshop brought me to tears. As I was put (as a parent) through three real life simulations that my child would experience in the classroom I couldn't help but feel the weight of expectation and performance my child feels every single day. My entire perspective changed because of this conference that these women developed. Dyslexic kids need hope, support, and someone in their corner cheering them on...even when their teacher or others see them as less than, even lazy.Dr. Sandman-Hurley shares her insight into morphemes, graphemes, and other types of language that influence reading within the pages of this book. Gina Cooke spoke at the conference regarding understanding the meaning behind each word within the written language. Do you know why there is a <g> in sign? When a child understands the REASON behind the way words are written a particular way they don't forget it. When you hear the truth it sticks. Ms. Cooke addressed that nugget of gold at the conference and I began to wonder. What if my child could be given the opportunity to learn the way she was speaking about...could that intervention change her in a way that brought about a new way to learn?Our child struggles greatly with spelling and has benefitted immensely from learning and studying words with Ms. Cooke. Without understanding and meaning a word is simply a word. When given the knowledge of a word and its root, origin, meaning, and how it connects to so many other word families, a Dyslexic child begins to soar in their understanding. When a dyslexic child experiences success...the confidence that brims is beautiful.There are many books and people 'claiming' to be beacons within the Dyslexia community. These ladies are the hands and feet working tirelessly on behalf of children everywhere struggling. Dr. Sandman-Hurley and her colleagues are paving the way for change and understanding. If you are at a loss, struggling with "now what"...buy this book. It will open your eyes of understanding, provide hope for you in this difficult journey, and equip you with the tools and resources you need to give your child the services they need and deserve!From one mom to another...I now have hope because we have the tools, resources, and education that I need to advocate for my child who cant do so yet. Hands down best book I've read that equips parents with a plan!

I am currently a college student with a severe case of dyslexia. I was diagnosed in first grade and worked my butt to graduate high school and get into college. I had to fight harder than hell to receive the accommodations I needed growing up. It was a scaring and traumatizing experience feeling like your school is against you.I decided to dive into my disability and other disabilities that fall into the 504 act freshman year of college. This book is a MUST READ for anybody that knows a student with a learning disability. If you’re planning on being a teacher, read this, have kids? Read this! I wish my family would have had this resource when I started to go to my 504 meetings in middle school . It would have saved a lot of tears, transferring schools, and scaring memories. BUY this book along with other dyslexia books.

My sons school was being very difficult. After reading this book I fought the school and won. My son has started at another school and they started playing games. I quickly shut them down and my son is getting what he needs at his new school as well. I recommend this book to all parents who have a child with dyslexia or any learning difference.

I have a stack of books on Dyslexia and this is by far the best book I have read. I love the format of the information. It was an easy book to read and I highlighted the heck out of most of it. My son is heading into 6th grade and just when you think after years of having an IEP and 504 in place you find out they are not doing what they are suppose to help them learn. Or you find out that they are taking away recesses and making your child study in the library with no intervention or phone call home and telling them that they do not get to participate in a district wide event unless they have a passing score. Advocating for Dyslexia is an awesome book. When I spoke to school administrators I used much of the information in the book. Thank you Kelli Sandman-Hurley for writing it. -Heather Harrison

This book has a wealth of information for someone who is just starting the process of having a child tested for dyslexia. My book is full of tabs, underlines, sticky notes of things I need to do as a parent. I can't tell you the amount of times I said that's my son or how could I have missed this connection to dyslexia when he was in _ grade. As I followed making my binder, my letter to the school really came together because I was reminded of all the struggles my child has been through since elementary school now that we finally put 2 and 2 together in 8th grade.

Helpful information for any parent trying to get accommodations for their dyslexic student.

Love this book! It is wonderful. I wish I had it 4 years ago when I started fighting our school to recognize our daughter as dyslexic. It took until 4th grade, and an outside evaluation to get her diagnosed. I really wish I had known that I could have requested an IEP because I never agreed with the school's diagnosis and I always knew my dyslexia was the only diagnosis that put ALL the pieces together. I recommend this book to everyone I run across who has a child with a suspected LD!

My child wasn't getting good grades, starting in Kindergarten. School was hard. We were doing everything right but why is he not flourishing? Eventually we had him tested. He is mild dyslexic and this book has a lot of great information! Whatever you thought before about dyslexia is probably not all correct. This gets in depth and now I can help my son succeed!

A must read, a handy eye opening tool guide. Must buy to educate yourself and support loved ones with this complex need. Handy for learning teachers too.