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Ask The Learning Expert:
Robert Tudisco
Is Dyslexia Not a Recognized Disability?
Q:
"My daughter, who is in fourth grade, was diagnosed with dyslexia. The school told me that the county where we live doesn’t recognize dyslexia as a disability. Really?"
A:
Dyslexia, as well as other learning disabilities, is covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If your school told you otherwise, they are wrong.
Having said that, I remind you that a diagnosis of dyslexia, ADHD, or other disability is not enough to guarantee services or accommodations. Both IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act require that your doctor show that your daughter’s dyslexia impairs a major life activity, like academic performance. He should establish that fact in his evaluation.
If the school does not comply with the law after you supply documentation, you should file for an impartial due process hearing, in which a state-appointed hearing officer will determine whether the school is legally required to provide accommodations for your daughter.
Robert Tudisco is a lawyer who specializes in ADHD. He lives in White Plains, New York.
 4 Comments:
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Posted by
Margaret-Anne
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Sep 17 2009 @ 6:15 PM
Dyslexia
My daughter too was diagnosed in grade 4. I live in Canada and cannot comment on IDEA. What I do know is that you should investigate the Orton-Gillingham approach to reading. There is a video on the following website that explains dyslexia very well. While I'm not endorsing her product I did find the information she shared very informative. http://www.dys-add.com/. My daughter is now being tutored by an Orton-Gillinham specialist. In addition she uses assistive technology. This includes a laptop with software called Dragon Naturally Speaking and Kurzweil.
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Posted by
cc1234
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Sep 16 2009 @ 6:30 PM
dyslexia
I think you should talk with some political people in the area in which you live in to get accomadtion for your daughter if the school will not abide by the law call IDeA
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Posted by
David Harris
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Aug 21 2009 @ 3:58 PM
Dyslexia as a disability
I am interested to read this. I founded "The Harris Foundation" in 2001 to address exactly this type of problem in addition to providing specialised help with visual filters to improve the ease of reading.
A formal diagnosis is undoubtedly important and the schools and Education Authority should be obliged to live up to their responsibilities and look after their young pupils with a recognised disability.
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Posted by
hayesatlbch
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Aug 20 2009 @ 11:01 PM
dyslexia diagnosis
The value of any help given to a diagnosed dyslexia will vary from location to location. There are a couple of Masonic Learning Centers for Children in New York state that offer free instruction which would help if you are close.
Part of the problem is at best schools are making do with limited resources and no standardized method of of helping.
I suggest you start documenting everything with everybody and work your way up to the state level if your local school doesn't know what to do.
I have posted some links to free dyslexia help products,programs and information that you may find helpful while you are trying to get help from the school.
the address is http://dyslexiaglasses.com/links.html
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