Study Sheds Light on Auditory Role in Dyslexia By Pam Belluck

New York Times
August 2, 2011

Many people consider dyslexia simply a reading problem in which children mix up letters and misconstrue written words. But increasingly scientists have come to believe that the reading difficulties of dyslexia are part of a larger puzzle: a problem with how the brain processes speech and puts together words from smaller units of sound.ow, a study published last week in the journal Science suggests that how dyslexics hear language may be more important than previously realized. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have found that people with dyslexia have more trouble recognizing voices than those without dyslexia.

To read the rest of this article,click here

“Dyslexie”Fonts Created for Those with Dyslexia to Read the Printed Word Easier.

Dyslexics face challenges daily in both reading and writing. Those with dyslexia mirror and rotate and interchange letters. The aesthetics of those letters, to a person with dyslexia, becomes the same. Those with dyslexia have a difficult time distinguishing letters, such as “p” and “d” for example.

Christian Boer, a graphic designer from Holland, whom is dyslexic, designed a new font aimed for the dyslexic population. He manipulated the letters by its size and shape. He appropriately named it “Dyslexie.”

The University of Twente (Holland) used Boer’s “Dyslexie” fonts with those who have dyslexia. They found that dyslexics made fewer errors reading errors using the “Dyslexie” fonts than standard fonts.

At LD Resources Foundation, we have used many different assistive technologies in helping the college student with dyslexia. Maybe one day this font will be part of other fonts with Times New Roman and Arial.

For those who want to see what the dyslexie type is go this link on You Tube

An Advocate for Dyslexia

Henry Winkler's dyslexic hero gives kids with learning difficulties the last laugh
By HENRY WINKLER
Published: GreatSchools

Henry Winkler played one of the most iconic television characters “The Fonz” on Happy Days during the 70’s and 80’s and a graduate of Yale University School of Drama. Today, he is an advocate for people with dyslexia, who did not know about his disability until he was 30 when his son was tested for it in 3rd grade. Unlike his character, Mr. Winkler was not a popular person growing up. In fact, he recalled the words people used to describe him in school, but that did not deter his goal of becoming an actor.

Since his diagnosis, he has co-written a series of books on a character named Hank Zipzer who has dyslexia as a way to raise awareness and information to families and people with connection to dyslexia. Lastly, he imparts an important lesson that he learned from his music teacher that, "children have multiple layers; they are what they show you on the outside, and the depth of their greatness is on the inside."

To read the entire article by Henry Winkler, please click [GreatSchools]

Speed Bumps on the Way to an A.D.H.D. Diagnosis

NYTimes
Speed Bumps on the Way to an A.D.H.D. Diagnosis
By LESLEY ALDERMAN
Published: May 13, 2011

WHEN Liz Goldberg, 53, was growing up, she always felt “a little off.” She received good grades and even completed a master’s degree in health administration, but it was always a struggle...........

New ADA Rules Go into Effect on March 15 2011

Revised regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) take effect on March 15, 2011. The regulations apply to the activities of more than 80,000 units of state and local government and more than seven million places of public accommodation, including stores, restaurants, museums, sporting arenas, movie theaters, doctors’ and dentists’ offices, hotels, jails and prisons, polling places and emergency preparedness shelters.

Read More
https://www.disability.gov/civil_rights/laws_%26_regulations/americans_with_disabilities_act

Learning with Disabilities

The New York Times
Education Life
Learning with Disabilities

Published: January 09, 2011
By ABBY GOODNOUGH


“We’re dealing with really bright students here. In some ways they maybe smarter than your average undergraduate, because they spent most of their lives trying to either overcome their diagnosis or outsmart everyone.”

-Michael Nieckoski
Landmark College’s Director of Assistive Technology Services

College can be challenging for students with learning disabilities. Assisitive technology helps these students pursue their educational goals.

The following article, from the New York Times Education Life supplement-January 9, 2011, explores how a two year college, Landmark College works with college students with Learning Disabilities and ADHD using Assistive Technology.

Read the full article

Global Brain Awareness Week

Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is the global campaign to increase public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research. Every March, BAW unites the efforts of universities, hospitals, patient groups, government agencies, schools, service organizations, and professional associations worldwide in a week-long celebration of the brain. Founded and coordinated by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives and European Dana Alliance for the Brain, BAW's sixteenth annual celebration will take place from March 14-20, 2011.

for more info go to:http://www.dana.org/brainweek/