Parents form dyslexic kids support group

Mary Russon of Lindon, Utah, is heading a group of frustrated parents of dyslexic children.

Three parents were designated to voice their concerns before the board. The parents come from all over the Alpine School District and met on Sept.16 to discuss what they could do to consolidate information, support one another and organize themselves to work together to initiate change in the schools.

Russon had spent the past six years seeking help for her daughter Kim, who is now 12. She met with Kim's teachers each year to ask that Kim be tested for dyslexia.

According to Russon, each time she asked, she was told that the school had no tests to diagnose dyslexia. Furthermore, she was told, even if the school was able to test and Kim was found to be dyslexic, the teaching techniques would not differ from what Kim was already receiving.

Just four weeks ago, Russon met Mitzi Brandt, a certified dyslexic therapist. Brandt tested Kim and was able to pinpoint the areas in which Kim needed most help.

Brandt is now tutoring Kim and her mother is using the written evaluation prepared by Brandt to help Kim's teachers better know how to help Kim succeed. Russon distributed a packet of information to the new group at their first meeting.

"Individual schools have limited authority in what they can offer," Manila Elementary School Principal Canda Mortensen said. "There are funds available through a federal program, but they are administered at the district level."

"Dyslexia is such a broad area," explained Mortensen. "Schools have three ways to help students with learning difficulties. If a child meets certain qualifying criteria, that child becomes eligible for a school's special education program, also known as Resource.

"If a child doesn't qualify, accommodations can still be made in the classroom through a federal program known as 504. Finally, specific goals can be set with students and parents during the SEP (student education plan) conference.

Parental involvement is critical for a child's success, regardless of where they get help. "The district needs to hear our stories.

We have to go in numbers and be vigilant if we want to be effective," said Lori Case, one of the parents appointed to speak. "We need to be specific about what we want.We need to go in educated, not nasty or emotional."

Case would like to see the group raise public awarenessof the specific needs dyslexic children have and be proactive in getting services designed to meet those needs into the schools.

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Many thanks to the excellent 'New Utah' for this article.