Welcome to The Dyslexia Literacy Center and thank you for visiting our mobile-friendly site. We provide reading therapy through research-based, multi- sensory, structured, language-based learning strategies that work. We are dedicated to spreading awareness for dyslexia by helping individuals with language-based learning disabilities, and educating the community. It is never too late to learn to read!  If you have ever struggled with reading, regardless of your age, you CAN learn to become a more fluent and accurate reader. Please call us today!

Dyslexia is seen as a hidden disability; but it is also a hidden source of great abilities.

Specializing in Dyslexia and Reading Therapy

Ph.: 774-254-5828

OUR MISSION: To provide reading therapy and learning strategies to those who have suffered, and are suffering with learning difficulties, and to educate families, caretakers, educators and clinicians in our community about dyslexia. The Dyslexia Literacy Center spreads awareness for dyslexia.  We implement research-based Orton-Gillingham methods, along with multi-sensory, structured, language- based learning strategies that work! We provide a caring, professional and fun learning environment for students of all ages. Students enjoy learning, and many ask: "Why haven't I learned this before?".  Many students who struggled with reading for years, finally find success in reading, spelling and writing using this method, because it is not just learning phonics, but total word structure. By attending our workshops, educators in both the public and private sector, are learning to recognize the early warning signs of dyslexia, so that they may better identify a struggling student, and how to help them. WHY READING THERAPY? “Struggling with reading, writing and spelling, regardless of age, is frustrating, and affects all aspects of life.  Children have difficulties in school with their academic subjects resulting in low grades and poor self-esteem.  Reading Therapy provides the tools to become a better reader. I have worked with students of all ages, with all degrees of difficulties.  Reading Therapy works. Students who were told that they would probably only learn to read to sixth- grade level, far exceeded that expectation. Parents who were told from their doctors that their child would probably not be able to learn to read, have proven them wrong! They now read!! Yes, this is true.  My passion is helping students of all ages end their struggles with reading”. Kathi Abbott Dyslexia Specialist

Services We Provide:

Free Consultations Dyslexia Screening 1:1 (or small group therapy for all ages, children to adults) Home-Schooling Consulting, Training and Therapy Advocacy Services Informational Workshops Training Workshops Professional Development for: Educators, Administrators, Clinicians (in both the public and private sector), Including Home-Educators Educational Consulting IEP Consulting Contracting On-Line Tutoring Options!

For your FREE Consultation, please call today.

Spreading Awareness for Dyslexia

Ph.: 774-254-5828

Research Definition used by the National Institutes of Health Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition, and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge Revised Definition from the International Dyslexia Association Dyslexia is a neurologically-based, often familial, disorder which interferes with the acquisition and processing of language. Varying in degrees of severity, it is manifested by difficulties in receptive and expressive language, including phonological processing, in reading, writing, spelling, handwriting, and sometimes in arithmetic. Dyslexia is not the result of lack of motivation, sensory impairment, inadequate instructional or environmental opportunities, or other limiting conditions, but may occur together with these conditions. Although dyslexia is lifelong, individuals with dyslexia frequently respond successfully to timely and appropriate intervention. Reading therapy helps individuals who struggle with reading, writing and spelling, whether or not they have a diagnosis of  dyslexia. The International Dyslexia Association says that the problems displayed by individuals with dyslexia involve difficulties in acquiring and using written language.  It is a myth that individuals with dyslexia "read backwards,"  although spelling can look quite jumbled at times because students have trouble remembering letter symbols and forming memories for words.  Other problems experienced by people with dyslexia include the following: Struggles with reading and spelling Learning letters and their sounds Organizing written and spoken language Memorizing number facts Reading quickly enough to comprehend                 (fluently and accurately) Persisting with and comprehending longer reading assignments Learning to speak Learning a foreign language Correctly doing math operations Not all individuals who have difficulties with these skills have dyslexia.  Formal testing of reading, writing and language is the only way to confirm the suspicion of dyslexia. If you, or someone you know struggles with reading and/or spelling: "It could be dyslexia." What Causes Dyslexia? The exact causes of dyslexia are still not completely clear, but anatomical and brain imagery studies show differences in the way the brain of a dyslexic person develops and functions. Moreover, most people with dyslexia have been found to have problems with identifying the separate speech sounds within a word and/or learning how letters represent those sounds, a key factor in their reading difficulties. Dyslexia is not due to either lack of intelligence or desire to learn; with appropriate teaching methods, dyslexics can learn successfully. There is no need to struggle. Contact The Dyslexia Literacy Center for a free consultation. We can and will help!

The Common Warning Signs…

The Definition of Dyslexia

Ph.: 774-254-5828

Numerous options available, please call today.

APRIL 18, 2016 RICHMOND, Va. (WVEC) -- Education advocates are praising a new law that they hope will be the first of many steps to help students suffering with dyslexia. Dyslexia is a language-based disorder. It is the most common cause of reading, writing and spelling difficulties. According to researchers, one in five people has some form of dyslexia.  For more than a year, 13News Now has been reporting how Hampton Roads’ school districts rarely screen students for the disorder -- and many teachers haven't even been taught how to recognize it. Experts say once it's discovered, it takes a very specific, multi- sensory instruction to help kids cope with dyslexia. Sinkinson Dyslexia Foundation President and CEO Marie Sexton says one-on-one instruction is most effective. She’s been working in dyslexia remediation for more than 30 years. “I do have 50 year olds who have dyslexia, and if they had the right kind of remediation, they would not have suffered a life time of not being able to read,” Sexton said. The law just signed by Governor Terry McAuliffe will require teachers seeking initial licensure or renewal of a license to complete dyslexia-awareness training. Education advocates say the new law is a small step in the right direction. Small because the training will come in just a one-hour, online course headed by the State Department of Education by the 2017-18 school year. Shannon Duncan, a member of Decoding Dyslexia Virginia, a grassroots movement of parents of dyslexic children, says in a statement, “We view it as a tiny step forward, opening the gates for much more dyslexia focused legislation to come.” Virginia Beach grandparent Suzanne Sofield says getting the right help for her granddaughter was a huge challenge. The girl wasn’t officially diagnosed with dyslexia until she got to middle school and now gets help at Sinkinson. Sofield says she knew early on something wasn’t quite right with her granddaughter’s reading. “I really had to get proactive with it and almost get threatening with them, that there was something else wrong with her and that we needed to identify what it was,” Sofield said. She is thankful dyslexia is finally getting the attention of state lawmakers. “Oh my gosh, yes, because first you need awareness in the schools. I keep going back to had that reading resource teacher had the knowledge, she could have been identified in second grade.” More: Virginia educators learn about most common reading disorder In addition to the new law, the state department of education is launching a Multi-Sensory Structured Language Instruction Pilot Project.  For one week this summer,  100 K-6 teachers will get professional development in the Orton-Gillingham instructional approach. Participants had to apply through a competitive application process. APRIL 19, 2016     Dyslexia screener bill heads to Tennessee governor Tennessee is one step closer to requiring districts to screen kindergarten to second grade students for dyslexia, a learning disability that affects one in five kids. Of the individuals with learning disabilities, between 80 percent and 90 percent will have dyslexia, and this is not the first time the state legislature has addressed dyslexia. The bill, which will head to Gov. Bill Haslam's desk after unanimously passing the Tennessee General Assembly, also creates a dyslexia advisory council and requires the state department of education to provide training on identifying and addressing dyslexia. In 2014, the state passed the "Dyslexia is Real" bill, formally recognizing dyslexia as a learning disability.    The bill also required some teacher training on dyslexia. This year's bill addresses diagnosing students with dyslexia, which has been described as a long process. And students, some parents have said, aren't always placed in an appropriate intervention programs. If the bill is passed, the dyslexia screening tool will be used as part of Response to Instruction and Intervention, which also is used to identify students with specific learning disabilities. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Joe Pitts, D-Clarksville, and Sen. Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville. Happy Super Bowl Sunday!! Look who is in the news talking about overcoming dyslexia!! Seattle Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant! January 30, 2014 The Atlantic Journal-Constitution Seattle DE Red Bryant on Overcoming Dyslexia Seattle Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant revealed during a pre- Superbowl interview that he was diagnosed with dyslexia in 1st grade. Bryant opened up about his struggles with reading and writing throughout school, and about the inspirational teacher who helped him believe he could make it to college. She told him, “You’re not dumb, you just learn differently.” With support from her and other teachers, he graduated high school and earned a degree from Texas A&M. Watch the full interview. Do you know any other professional athletes with learning and attention issues? Read an article with some famous names that may surprise you. http://www.interdys.org/  This link is to the International Dyslexia Association.  There, you can find all kinds of facts and information about dyslexia. Myths About  Dyslexia: Myth:  Dyslexia is associated with low intelligence and low cognitive ability. Truth:  There is no correlation between dyslexia, a brain-based heritable learning disorder, and intelligence.  In fact, there are many adults who have above average intellectual abilities and talents that enable them to compensate for weak reading skills Myth:  Dyslexia is a visual disorder marked by reversal of letters. Truth:  While some dyslexics transpose letters, dyslexia is a language processing disorder which includes difficulty associating particular sounds or phonemes with particular letters or symbols.  Myth:  Dyslexia is a childhood disorder, however most individuals outgrow the symptoms of dyslexia. Truth:  Dyslexia is a life-long disorder marked by difficulties with word decoding and reading speed.  Adult symptoms of dyslexia often include slow reading, spelling difficulties, mispronunciations, imprecise language, and challenges in reading comprehension. Myth:  Dyslexia is an untreatable learning disorder.  Truth:  There are successful treatments for dyslexia.  Recent neuroimaging studies have shown improvement in brain function and reading skills following science-based intervention.  Academic and workplace accommodations promote full participation and help for individuals with dyslexia. Strengths emerge as these individuals are provided with reasonable accommodations.   Fran Levin Bowman, M.Ed. & Vincent Culotta, Ph.D. Copyright, 2010, All Rights Reserved

Famous People With The Gift of Dyslexia Actors & Entertainers Bella Thorne Whoopi Goldberg Orlando Bloom Tom Cruise Cher Danny Glover Keanu Reeves Jaime Oliver Billy Bob Thorton Henry Winkler Vince Vaughn John Lennon Robin Williams Steven Spielberg, film-maker Inventors & Scientists Albert Einstein Thomas Edison Ann Bancroft, Arctic Explorer Artists Leonardo da Vinci Tommy Hillfiger, clothing designer Pablo Picasso Andy Warhol Military Heroes Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson George Patton Athletes Muhammed Ali (World Heavy Weight Championship Boxer) Bruce Jenner, Olympic Decathlon Gold Medalist Nolan Ryan, Baseball Pitcher Tim Tebow, NFL Quarterback Pete Rose, Baseball Legend Magic Johnson, Basketball Superstar Carl Lewis, Olympic Champion Bella Thorne Opens Up About Her Dyslexia On   an   episode   of   “Shake   It   Up”,   you’ll   see   Bella   Thorne   battle   on- screen   with   dyslexia   —   but   did   you   know   this   is   something   that   she battles everyday? The    13-year-old    actress    chatted    with JJJ     about     her     confusion     about     the learning   disability   and   learning   how   to deal   with   it   on   a   day-to-day   basis.   Bella shared,   “Dyslexia   has   affected   my   life   in a   big   way. At   first,   I   was   really   afraid   and self   conscious   because   I   didn’t   feel   like   I was   as   smart   as   other   kids   and   couldn’t read     the     way     they     did.     I     didn’t understand   why   I   couldn’t   do   so   many things   as   well   as   other   kids,   and   why   I was    learning    so    much    slower.   After    I found   out   I   had   dyslexia,   I   was   confused about how I felt.” She    continued,    “In    a    way,    I    was    happy    to    know    that    it    was something   that   affects   other   people   and   that   I   wasn’t   alone,   but   I also   felt   bad   because   I   knew   I   had   a   big   struggle   ahead   of   me   and that   it   may   affect   me   my   whole   life.   Now,   I   feel   proud.   I   really   work hard   at   reading   and   accept   that   sometimes   I   might   get   confused   and that   it   is   ok.   I’m   not   alone.   Dyslexia   has   taught   me   that   if   you   work really hard, you can overcome great challenges.” John   Lennon   was   an   English   singer   and   song   writer   who   gained his   international   notariety   as   one   of   the   founders   and   member   of The   Beatles.   After   the   break   up   of   the   popular   singing   group,   he went   on   to   a   career   as   a   solo   artist   and   as   a   song   writer   for   many other   popular   singers   and   groups.   He   was   a   leader   in   the   anti-war movement   during   the   Vietnam   War   era,   and   his   songs   were   adopted as   the   anthem   for   the   anti-war   movement.   In   1980,   he   was   shot   four times   in   the   back   at   the   entrance   to   his   New York   apartment   building by Mark David Chapman. Henry   Winkler   is   best   known   as   an   actor   for   his   role   as   Arthur Fonzerelli   in   the   television   show   “Happy   Days”.   He   has   had   his hand   in   everything   from   acting,   writing,   producing,   and   has   even become   the   spokesman   for   the   Dyslexia   Foundation.   He   has   shown his    support    of    the    Dyslexia    Foundation    through    the    writing    and reading/book   tours   of   his   children’s   book   series   about   Hank   Zipzer, the   fourth   grade   dyslexic   boy   who   became   “the   worlds   greatest underachiever”. As   you   can   see,   there   are   a   variety   of   famous   dyslexics   with   various strengths,   who   have   become   famous   in   a   variety   of   genres.   There are   so   many   more   as   the   list   is   almost   endless.   None   of   these famous   names   let   their   disability   hold   them   back.   Instead,   they   rose above    their    insecurities    and    became    some    of    the    most    notable names in literary, musical, and film history.  And so can you. For    more    information    about    famous    dyslexics,    check    out    these websites:    HERE (Famous People with the Gift of Dyslexia)    HERE (The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity)

This page in intended to provide you the most current news and information regarding dyslexia and learning difficulties. We hope you will enjoy learning this information, as much as we enjoy providing this information for you! 

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”   ~ Albert Einstein

News/Blog/Famous People With Dyslexia

Ph.: 774-254-5828

The Dyslexia Literacy Center