Recent research shows that about 15-20% of the population is affected by a language-based learning disability, and about 80-90% of those are people with Dyslexia. With such a high population of students in need of the most targeted and effective reading instruction, it’s important to understand the resources available to children with dyslexia and their families. The following are resources and schools available in Atlanta.
RESOURCES
The Dyslexia Resource
The Dyslexia Resource is a nonprofit organization that was created by the Schenck School Board of Trustees in 2014, and was developed to be “a community resource that helps students overcome reading deficiencies through research, partnerships, education, and outreach programs.” The Dyslexia Resource offers parent resources on where to find tutoring and summer programs, what to do before & after a dyslexia diagnosis, and support for students with dyslexia in the school system. They also offer Orton-Gillingham training programs for parents, which is an incredible resource and is highly recommended. Visit their “Resources” tab for videos, common signs & challenges, the brain with dyslexia, and so much more!
IDA Georgia
The International Dyslexia Association Georgia Branch is a nonprofit organization with the goal of serving the needs of families, educators, and professionals that work with students with dyslexia. They offer parent resources in the areas of advocating for your child, laws and local policies, parent training, fact sheets and informational videos, articles to read and provider directories. They have a downloadable “IDA Dyslexia Handbook: What Every Family Should Know,” that offers crucial and valuable information to help your child succeed.
Follow this link to download the IDA Dyslexia Handbook: What Every Family Should Know.
GADOE Dyslexia Informational Handbook
The Dyslexia Informational Handbook was created by the Georgia Department of Education to provide guidance for school systems in serving students with Dyslexia. It is a comprehensive document including a definition of dyslexia and other associated reading disorders, teaching reading, addressing reading concerns in general education, screening for language-based learning disabilities, procedures for identifying students with dyslexia, providing instruction for students with dyslexia, and special education services for students with dyslexia. Although this handbook is intended to assist school system employees in serving students with Dyslexia, it is especially helpful for parents of these children to have access to and an understanding of the processes and procedures schools should be following. This will allow for parents to best advocate for their child!
SCHOOLS
The Howard School
The Howard School is a private school offering education to students Kindergarten to 12th grade with language-based learning disabilities, including Dyslexia. Their staff have an expertise in language-based learning differences and their focus on language development is integrated within all of the other subjects, including English Language Arts, Mathematics, Sciences, Social Studies, Physical Education, Performing Arts and Visual Arts. They offer interdisciplinary teams at every grade level, including a classroom-based Speech and Language Pathologist. The Howard School also strongly believes in student-advocacy and takes part in student-led conferences, self-reflection and self-understanding.
Follow this link to learn more about The Howard School: https://www.howardschool.org/
The Schenck School
The Schenck School is widely recognized to be the top school for children with Dyslexia in the United States. They admit students in Kindergarten to 6th grade and offer a comprehensive education and curriculum to allow for a strong base prior to transition out of Schenck. Their teaching strategies are based in the highly effective methods of the Orton-Gillingham Approach to reading. They offer Art, Music, P.E., Library and Technology along their general curriculum. Speech and Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists are on staff for students who qualify for their services.
Wardlaw School
The Wardlaw School is one of four schools within the Atlanta Speech School, and serves students with Dyslexia. Although they offer admissions to students ages Kindergarten to 6th grade, their program is intended to be short-term, with the intention of preparing students to reintegrate into their mainstream classroom in about 3 years. The Wardlaw school uses their own “Integrated Intervention Model,” created by Wardlaw School, to provide a program that is based on student need, rather than focusing on one method of instruction. They value seeing each child as an individual and offer interdisciplinary teams to ensure each individual need is met.
Atlanta Tutors LLC provides in-home tutoring for students with learning challenges. Give us a call at 678-412-5457 to learn more.