Dyslexia BC; Who we are and what WE do:

Who we are and what WE do:

Dyslexia BC can help you advocate for your child specifically, or give you advice for your child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or suggestions on how to get support for the needs of your child. We have been to IEP meetings in districts across the province or any other meeting that parents would like us to attend. We operate on a volunteer basis.

Dyslexia BC will do presentations for parents, teachers or any large group. Please keep that in mind when doing your advocacy or if you want to help spread “Dyslexia Awareness” in BC.

We also love having showings of “The Big Picture Rethinking Dyslexia”; by the late James Redford! We own the public license for the movie that is necessary to show the film to big groups, for educators and in classrooms. We have shown it all over the province and a few times in Alberta too! You can get a digital download for the movie from the film’s website!

The website for “The Big Picture Rethinking Dyslexia”. The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia

We also own the license for “Dyslexia For a Day”, by the Dyslexia Training Institute (DTI)! In 2022, in October we did a virtual session for Professional Development for teachers across the province with the Learning Assistance Teachers of British Columbia Association (LATA-BC)! https://www.dyslexiatraininginstitute.org/simulation-kit.html

email Dyslexia BC To Find out our availability

RESOURCES

Know your Rights, by Cathie Camley -Parent Edition
Know your Rights, by Cathie Camley - Student Edition
National Network for Equitable Library Service – Audiobooks for Free Home |National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS)
CELA (Free Canadian Audiobook subscription) Register for CELA

Helpful Links

Supporting students with learning disabilities. A guide for BC Teachers.
Dyslexia BC -Dyslexia BC on Facebook
Dyslexia BC Parents Action Group on Facebook
Know your Rights, By Cathie Camley - Guardian Edition
National Center on Improving Literacy - information for teachers and parents
The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) - International Dyslexia Association
IDA Fact sheets - Fact Sheets - International Dyslexia Association
IDA Fact sheet on effective reading instruction - Effective Reading Instruction - International Dyslexia Association
IDA Fact sheet on spelling - Spelling - International Dyslexia Association
The Dyslexia Training Institute (California) - Dyslexia Training Institute
The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity – What is Dyslexia
Understood - Understood.org
Dyslexia Help, University of Michigan - Dyslexia Help
Dyslexia Training Institute - Dyslexia Training Institute
The Dyslexia Reading Well - Dyslexia Reading Well
Remedial Methods that Work by "the Dyslexia Reading Well" - Dyslexia Treatment

GREAT MOVIES & BOOKS

Movies we recommend many of them can found online:

“Embracing Dyslexia”: Embracing Dyslexia
"How Difficult can this be- The F.A.T. City Workshop?”;“

How Difficult Can This Be- The F.A.T City Workshop

“The Big Picture Rethinking Dyslexia”. It is on HBO, some BC Libraries have a DVD and you can download a digital copy The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia

Here are some other recommendations:

Movies and Documentaries About Dyslexia | Understood

Characters in Movies with Dyslexia:

Percy Jackson in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
Captain Rafe McCawley in Pearl Harbor

Characters in TV Shows with Dyslexia:

Will Trent
Donna Martin in Beverly Hills 90210
Cristina Yang in Grey’s Anatomy
Matt Parkman in Heroes
Magne in Ragnarok

Great books

'Not Stupid Not Lazy – Understanding DYSLEXIA and other LearningDisabilities' - Dr. Linda Siegel
'Overcoming Dyslexia' – Dr. Sally Shawitz (Yale)
'Dyslexia Advocate! How to advocate for a Child with Dyslexia within the public education system' – Dr. Kelli Sandman-hurley
‘Dyslexia and Spelling: Making Sense of it All” - Dr. Kelli Sandman-hurley
'Thinking Differently' – David Flink
'NoWhere to HIDE – Why kids with ADHD & LD Hate school and what we can do about it!' - Dr. Jerome J. Schultz
“The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan” – Ben Foss

Books to Read to students or with students

Hank Zipzer - by Henry Winkler - Meet the Worlds Greatest Under Achiever, Hank Zipzer.
Fish in a Tree - by Lynda Mullaly Hunt - FISH IN A TREE – Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Captain Underpants - Dav Pilky

Decodable Books

What are Decodable Books?: What Are Decodable Books and Why Are TheyImportant? | Reading Rockets.
Meg and Greg: A Duck in a Sock - by Elspeth and Rowena Rae (Vancouverwriters) -Orca Two Read Books
Decodable Books, The Best Sets for 2023; MY Three Readers

Helpful Programs and Technology

Microsoft – Immersive Reader - How Microsoft's Immersive Reader tackles Dyslexia head on — and wins | Windows Central
Grammarly - Grammarly
Kurzweil (Districts have some licenses) - Kurzweil 3000 - you may be able to get a discount for this through your district
Centre for Equitable Library Access
Public library service for Canadians with print disabilities (CELA ) Register for CELA
Learning Ally (US Audiobook subscription, some books highlight as they go (this is one of my favourites but you have to have a US address toregister)) - Learning Ally | Students with Dyslexia - BVI Students -Visually Impaired College Students
SET BC and ARC BC - Ministry support for technology (even funding for home use devices) and Audio Books (they have pdf versions of all Ministry Textbooks)
LEXIA - Orton Gillingham based program of on-line tutoring (seen as a supplement for one to one instruction). Many BC School Districts have some licences. It can possibly be bought through through your school district. For Individual purchase you can look here.
Nessy - Orton Gillingham based program of on-line tutoring support Literacy support for dyslexia that follows the Science of Reading | Nessy
Mindplay - Orton Gillingham based on-line program that is good for older kids and can work on comprehension as well as reading fluency - MindPlay
Inspiration Software - Inspiration 10
Clear Fluency - by Scientific Learning - The student can read to the program and it will correct them and check for comprehension. Dyslexia BC only recommends Clear Fluency by Scientific Learning, we do not the other programs provided by the same company. Clear Fluency - Scientific Learning
Shelley Haven Technology- Technology to Unlock Potential; Shelley Haven ATP-RET

Early Universal Screening

Using dyslexia screeners early in a child's educational journey holds immense promise for their academic and personal growth. By identifying potential signs of dyslexia at an early stage, educators and parents can collaboratively implement targeted interventions that cater to the child's unique learning needs. This proactive approach not only helps prevent the frustration and setbacks often associated with undiagnosed dyslexia but also lays a solid foundation for building critical literacy skills. Early identification enables the creation of inclusive and supportive learning environments where every child can thrive. Moreover, it empowers parents to actively engage in their child's educational journey and advocate for necessary resources. By embracing dyslexia screeners in the early years, we can foster a more equitable and enriching educational experience for all children, nurturing their confidence, unlocking their potential, and setting them on a trajectory for lifelong success.

Don't be afraid to ask your school to perform a screener. It is easier to ask when you know about the types of screeners out there. Ask for a specific one by name. The KTea is a great screener to ask for.

Screeners must be science based to be effective. Ask the school to do an evidence based screener, not one that the district has made up on its own.

National Center on Improving Literature - What is a Screener?

The International Dyslexia Association - Screening

The Gaab Lab - Screening for Reading Impairments

Dr Nadine Gaab from Harvard University seminars and other work -

- Screening for Early Literacy Milestones and Reading Disabilities The Why, When, Whom, How, and Where by Nadine Gaab and Yaacov Petsche

- Mass Literacy: Early Literacy Screening with Dr. Nadine Gaab, January 7, 2021

- Screening for Early Literacy Milestones and Disabilities: The WHY, WHEN, WHOM, HOW and WHERE

The BC Ministry’s list does not align with the science of reading. (Dyslexia BC is trying to change this)

List within the BC Ministry Website can be found:

Province of BC - Supporting Students with Learning Disabilities - A Teachers Guide

Here are some evidence based screeners that can be accessed in many BC schools:

The PAR - The Predictive Assessment of Reading

Dibels

KTea (most schools have access to this one and can perform in kindergarten -

Standard IQ Tests for Adults - The Classroom and

KTEA-3 Dyslexia Index: An Overview

Tax Credits for Parents and Individuals with Dyslexia

The Medical Tax Benefit and the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

The Medical Tax Benefit can be obtained even before diagnosis with help from a medical

practitioner (or if there is a suspected LD). The DTC is reserved for severe cases and can be difficult to obtain.

Medical Tax Benefit is easier to claim with a diagnosis, but you can get a note

for some services from a psychologist or a GP when a learning disability is

suspected.

How to claim eligible medical expenses on your tax return

Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is reserved for moderate to severe cases and you have to have a diagnosed learning disability.

Disability Tax Credit (DTC) - apply with the new digital form.

Do you need help filling out the application for the DTC?

Contact T.J. Firenze DTC Advocates

She will help advocate, without any cost to obtain the DTC, or just answer questions before you apply.

T.J. Firenze DTC Advocates

Psycho Educational Assessments

What is a Psycho-Educational Assessment?

A psycho-educational assessment is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by trained professionals (in BC its a psychologist) to assess an individual's cognitive, academic, emotional, and behavioral functioning. It is often used to identify learning disabilities like dyslexia, developmental disorders, and other factors that might impact a person's learning and educational progress. The assessment aims to provide a detailed understanding of the individual's strengths, weaknesses, and learning needs, which can inform educational planning, interventions, and support strategies.

Key components of a psycho-educational assessment include:

Cognitive Assessment: This evaluates cognitive abilities such as intelligence, memory, problem-solving skills, and processing speed. It provides insights into the individual's overall cognitive profile and learning potential.
Academic Assessment: Academic skills in areas like reading, writing, mathematics, and other relevant subjects are assessed. The goal is to identify areas of strength and areas where the individual might be struggling.
Emotional and Behavioral Assessment: This component examines emotional well-being, social functioning, and behavior. It helps identify emotional challenges, behavioral issues, or social factors that might impact learning.
Observations: The assessor observes the individual's behavior, attention span, and interaction with tasks and the environment, often in both structured assessment settings and natural environments.
Interviews: Interviews with the individual, parents, teachers, and other relevant parties provide a holistic view of the person's history, learning experiences, challenges, and strengths.
Standardized Tests: These are formal assessments with established norms and reliability, used to measure specific cognitive and academic abilities.
Assessment Tools: Various assessment tools, questionnaires, and rating scales are used to gather information about the individual's cognitive, academic, and emotional functioning.
Report and Recommendations: A detailed assessment report is generated, summarizing the findings, diagnostic impressions, and recommendations for educational interventions, accommodations, and support strategies.
Educational Planning: The results of the assessment guide the development of personalized educational plans that address the individual's learning needs and promote their academic and personal growth.

A psycho-educational assessment is particularly valuable for individuals with learning disabilities like dyslexia, as it provides a comprehensive understanding of their unique learning profile and helps inform appropriate interventions and support.

A psycho-educational assessment can be your biggest advocacy tool. Access to quality psycho-educational assessments can significantly contribute to ensuring appropriate education and services for individuals with dyslexia.

Where can I get a Psycho Educational Assessment?

There are a couple of websites for BC practitioners -

British Columbia Psychological Association

or Psycho-Educational Assessment Counselling BC

In BC some of the universities psychology or educational departments may do psycho-educational assessments mainly with students that are supervised by professors. (these assessments should be at least 1⁄2 of the cost of the regular assessments).

Phone the departments and check or email specific professors and ask them if this can be done.

UBC - Psychological Services & Counselling Training Centre

SFU - Services - Psychology - Simon Fraser University