American Dyslexia Association

Category: Videos

  • What is dyslexia?

    What is dyslexia?

    Dyslexia affects up to 1 in 5 people, but the experience of dyslexia isn’t always the same. This difficulty in processing language exists along a spectrum — one that doesn’t necessarily fit with labels like “normal” and “defective.” Kelli Sandman-Hurley urges us to think again about dyslexic brain function and to celebrate the neurodiversity of the human brain.

    Dr. Sally Shaywitz recently wrote, “In the case of dyslexia, (while there is always the desire for more), there is currently sufficient knowledge to do a far better job in identifying, intervening in, and accommodating dyslexia. There is an unacceptable and harmful wide gap between the robust existing science of dyslexia and how this knowledge is implemented, typically not implemented, by schools. In dyslexia, there is not a knowledge gap but rather an action gap. As a consequence, dyslexic children frequently go unidentified, unremediated, and unaccommodated, with great harm to the children, to their families, and to society. Educators must act to translate this body of converging science into policy and practice. Our children’s lives and futures (human capital) are too precious to waste.” We could not agree more!

    Watch this compelling video and then visit “What is dyslexia?” on Ed.ted for more information, discussions, and links.

  • EasyReading™: A Dyslexia-Dedicated Font with a “Design for All”

    EasyReading™: A Dyslexia-Dedicated Font with a “Design for All”

    Easyreading Font
    EasyReading Font

    Dyslexia-dedicated fonts usually feature an extreme design, which renders them “exclusive”, making reading harder for all other readers. The EasyReading™ font has been created through the “Design for All” technology, whereby diversity is not considered an obstacle, but rather an asset, improving word comprehension for all readers. This feature renders EasyReading™ an effective offsetting tool for dyslexic readers and an improved font for all other readers. This is why it does not bear a name directly linked to dyslexia.

    The EasyReading™ font design counters the crowding effect and the visual misunderstanding of similarly-shaped letters (see website http://www.easyreading.it/en/caratteristiche-grafiche/prova to write a sample with the EasyReading font).

    EasyReading™ was scientifically studied through the research “Easyreading™ as a compensating tool for readers with dyslexia: a comparison between Times New Roman and Easyreading™ in Good Readers and Dyslexic Fourth Grade Children”. This autonomous and independent research has been carried out on a valuable number of candidates and draws the conclusion that: “the EasyReading™ font renders reading easier both for dyslexics and unimpaired readers, therefore can be considered a compensating tool for dyslexic readers and a simplifying font for all readers”.

    References: the research has been published in the scientific magazine: “Dislessia. Giornale italiano di ricerca clinica e applicative” (Volume 10, n. 2, May 2013). The scientific board sees the presence of the major Italian researchers in the industry.

    Written by the designer of the EasyReading font, Mr. Federico Alfonsetti

    www.easyreading.it/en

  • Movie: The Big Picture – Rethinking Dyslexia

    Movie: The Big Picture – Rethinking Dyslexia

    THE BIG PICTURE: RETHINKING DYSLEXIA provides personal and uplifting accounts of the dyslexic experience from children, experts, and iconic leaders, such as Sir Richard Branson and financier Charles Schwab. Directed by James Redford, the film not only clears up the misconceptions about the condition, but also paints a picture of hope for all who struggle with it. Proving that dyslexia is a neurological issue and not a character flaw, THE BIG PICTURE beautifully illustrates that while the condition is an obstacle, it also carries some unique advantages, and ultimately can be overcome.

    The fascinating documentary The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia examines the disorder by looking at unique advantages, personal experiences and accounts from today’s leaders while offering hope for those suffering.

    Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheBigPictureRethinkingDyslexia

  • Embracing dyslexia

    Embracing dyslexia

    Embracing Dyslexia is a thoughtful and moving exploration of dyslexia from an insider’s perspective, weaving together interviews with parents, adult dyslexics, researchers, educators, and experts to provide an accurate portrayal of a learning difference that affects between 15 and 20% of the population.

    Parents share emotional stories of their frustration over failing to understand why their children were struggling with reading, writing, and spelling, and the life-altering impact the word dyslexia had on their lives.

    Adult dyslexics courageously open up and speak candidly about their dyslexia, sharing their struggles and successes they had in school and in their adult lives.

    Experts and educators define what dyslexia is and illustrate why early dyslexia screening for all children is vital. They also share how effective tutoring, classroom accommodations, and recognizing and fostering the natural gifts and abilities of a child with dyslexia can take them from feeling stupid and experiencing failure on a daily basis to believing in themselves and knowing that they can be successful.

    Watch the complete movie at www.embracingdyslexia.com

    Embracing Dyslexia – The trailer:

     

  • Best Kept Secret

    Best Kept Secret

    “Best Kept Secret” is a documentary worth watching about a teacher in New Jersey who works with autistic students to help them prepare to live in the world once they graduate from school.

    The students attend JFK High School in Newark, a public school for students with a wide range of special needs. Administrators there answer the phone by saying, “This is John F. Kennedy High School, Newark’s Best Kept Secret.”

    The documentary follows Janet Mino, who has been teaching young autistic men for four years at the school, and several students for a year and a half before they graduated in 2012. Newark Mayor Cory Booker has visited the high school and met the students featured in the film. READ MORE HERE

    Best Kept Secret Trailer from Danielle DiGiacomo on Vimeo.

  • I am dyslexic

    I am dyslexic

    In our schools, there are still far too many children whose dyslexia or dyscalculia is not recognized. The children are seen as stupid, lazy, unwilling to learn, difficult, etc. Watch this wonderful video in which a young woman talks about her dyslexia. She used to think she was just too stupid until she discovered, at the age of 18, that she is dyslexic. This happens to many people! That’s why it’s so important that parents and teachers know the signs of dyslexia and take these signs seriously. A lot of people think dyslexia will just disappear. Well, it does not!

  • Wordtoons

    Wordtoons

    Anyone who can write can draw. That is Wayne Logue’s motto. He has developed Wordtoons. You start with a word and turn it into a cartoon. Wordtoons are funny, inspiring, and promote creativity. See for yourself and then get those Sharpies and start writing/drawing:

  • Progression – A Video by Nick Damato

    Progression – A Video by Nick Damato

    My name is Nick Damato, and I would like to share my story about my struggles growing up with dyslexia. I hope to help shine some light on our society and evaluative school system, as well as give hope to other learning-disabled students. I hope to speak to parents and students in the future, promoting that we can make it together with the help and support of one another. This video below is my 2-minute digital short story told through my eyes:

  • Reading Gives You Superpowers!

    Reading Gives You Superpowers!

    Reading gives you superpowers! You don’t believe it? Watch this wonderful animation in which Dav Pilkey explains why!

    Enjoy!

    Your child still has difficulty reading? Try our Easy Reading Card!