Within the Virginia Administrative Code, dyslexia is defined as:
Dyslexia is distinguished from other learning disabilities due to its weakness occurring at the phonological level. Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological 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.
(§ 22.1-213 of the Code of Virginia; 34 CFR 300.8(c)(10))
A proclamation declaring October is Dyslexia Awareness Month has been signed by Governor Ralph Northam:
View the full proclamation on the Governor’s website.
Teacher Scholarships for Wilson Trainings in December:
Five names will be drawn to receive free registration to one of Wilson Language Training events in December. Anyone is able to nominate a teacher to receive a registration and all nominations should be submitted via this link. By submitting this form you will provide the teacher’s name, email contact, and for which grade the entrant should be considered for registration. You will also write one sentence describing why this teacher should be the winner.
Fundations Virtual
Level K – 12/15/21
Level 1 – 12/16/21
Level 2 – 12/17/21
Level 3 – 12/14/21
Just Words Virtual
12/16/21
Disclaimer: We thank Wilson Language for the opportunity to partner with them in providing these learning opportunities. VBIDA supports approaches and programs that are accredited through the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). Follow this link to view other such explicit, systematic, Structured Literacy approaches and programs accredited through IDA .
Resources to learn more about dyslexia:
Virginia Department of Education’s Dyslexia webpage
Dyslexia Awareness Training Module
Frequently Asked Questions about Dyslexia
Training and Technical Assistance Center at William & Mary – Dyslexia: A Deeper Understanding Module Series
International Dyslexia Association
IDA Dyslexia Dash through the Georgia Branch of IDA
Please consider joining the Virginia Team for the Dash!! By joining and/or donating to the Virginia Team, we will be able to raise funds to support our work around raising awareness about dyslexia in Virginia! Funds are returned to the local branch to support our work!
Presentations to support an understanding of dyslexia:
September 16th, 2021; 3:00 to 4:15pm (Recorded session, provided by Virginia Joint Coalition for Learning Disabilities and Literacy)
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and Dyslexia, presented by Tiffany Hogan, Ph.D.
October 14th, 2021; 6:30 to 7:30pm (Virtual, provided by Virginia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association)
Dyslexia and Co-Occurring Disorders, presented by Robin Hegner, J.D., AOGPE
Register for Dyslexia and Co-Occurring Disorders: Robin Hegner (constantcontact.com)
October 16th, 2021
Dyslexic Edge Speaker Series with Jonathan Mooney as a featured speaker to kick-off the series.
October 21st – 23rd, 2021; Virtual
2021 Reading, Literacy, & Learning Annual IDA Conference
Other organizations provide information to forward our understanding of dyslexia and explicit, systematic, Structured Literacy reading instruction. Please follow the links below to view their learning opportunities:
National Institute for Learning Development
Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center
What might you do in your community to support the mission of VBIDA:
Please consider supporting VBIDA by ordering pizza from Mod Pizza in Chesterfield or Norfolk on October 27th, 2021! If you commit early via the links provided, 20% of your purchase will be donated to VBIDA to forward our work to raise awareness around dyslexia! Please commit early so that these offerings will be finalized.
Please RSVP via this link for the Chesterfield location
Date: Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Address: 14201 Hull Street Road; Chesterfield, VA
Code: GR204039T and 20% of your meal will be donated to VBIDA.
Please RSVP via this link for the Norfolk location
Date: Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Address: 1541 Premium Outlets Blvd.; Norfolk, Virginia
Code: GR204113I; use this code and 20% of your meal will be donated to VBIDA.
Thank you to Mod Pizza for this opportunity!!!
What might you do at home or in your community to learn more about dyslexia:
Decoding Dyslexia Virginia has locally organized learning groups to support parents, educators, and all within an area. Consider joining one of these groups in your area. Follow this link to contact leadership within Virginia to determine if there currently is a group in your area. You may also follow this link to the old website where some groups and contacts are listed.
Journey Into Dyslexia (a video) and The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia (a video) provide a view of the challenges and celebrations of dyslexia. These videos may be purchased from a number of online sources. Consider watching one of these videos to learn more about dyslexia.
Contact the Dyslexia Advisor in your area or division and ask about any events that may be happening to provide information about dyslexia.
Organizations that Support Dyslexia Awareness and Appropriate Reading Instruction:
International Dyslexia Association
Virginia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association
The Reading League Virginia
National Institute for Learning Development
Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity
Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia
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