#LDchat Archive
Understood holds this weekly Twitter chat that aims to keep the momentum going and raise awareness of learning and attention issues. Follow along with hashtag #LDCHAT and follow users @understoodchats & @understoodorg. Experts will be available to answer your questions and concerns and share resources from Understood.org.
Wednesday July 20, 2016
Welcome to today’s LD Chat! This is Dan with the Understood team.
We’re happy to be cohosting today’s chat with expert and advocate Kelli Sandman-Hurley ().
We’ll be talking about advocacy.
Thanks Dan! I am honored to be here to talk about advocacy.
Happy Wednesday everyone!
Hey Angela! Great to have you.
Hi Kristin! Thanks for joining today!
Hi from Commonwealth Learning Center in , MA!
Happy to be here to talk about such an important topic.
Where are you chatting from today?
Hey! Excited to join in 😄
Hey Randa! Great to see you.
I'm here too! Hello friends!
We'll be giving away some copies of Kelli's book, Advocate!, so keep an eye on your DMs to see if you've won.
As always, we’ll use a Q1, Q2… format for questions. Please use the A1, A2… format for answers.
Happy Wednesday from STL! Enjoying a few more days of summer break :)
First question coming up...
Q1. What are your experiences with intervention within the public school system?
Hi every one hope you are having a great summer!
Hi, Christine! So glad you are with us today for
In our province they do not identify Dyslexia as a specific DX. It is generalized under Communication LD
Hi, Melissa! So glad you joined in!
Hi, Tiffany! Happy Summer!
A1 good and bad. Took perseverance and time to get to where we are at.
A1: in my 13 years as a K-3rd grade resource teacher 0 interventions have been specifically dyslexia related.
A1. My local school district are using the Sonday program
A1: Super dependent on the school system. We have schools nearby that offer O-G, 1-to-1, etc., and schools that offer nothing.
A1: it has been a wait & see approach or whole language style of instruction.
a1) is poorly understood within the educational system
A1 which leaves parents often wondering if their child is getting the right intervention
A1 My former school district used O-G programs for intervention, but time needed for fidelity of use was most often not available.
A1: It definitely depends on the district. The best thing to do is keep attending board meetings and educatingOffer free workshops.
It's been a process! We have laws in TX but still long hard work 2 get intervention for our kid at school
A1. I've talked with our title 1 teacher about interventions, `1but I do not have any personal experience with dyslexia intervention
A1. We unfortunately don't have any intervention for dislexia. As teachers we work in small groups or 1:1 with student
these videos are a great way for students to self advocate in a non threatening way!
A1: one person at a time advocacyYou can share this video too ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zafiGBrFkRM
Not very supportive. One family needed an advocate to fight for services.
A1: every instructional practice I use with actually all of my students has been researched on my own time/money
Q2. Which resources are especially helpful for parents of kids with ?
A1. The system as a whole under-identifies largely due to funding. If it is not diagnosed, then services don't have to be provided
Bridgette Howell. First time attending Understood chat. I'm in the advocacy process now.
Can the videos be accessed outside of Twitter?
Yes - agree! My daughter saw this then did something similar with her class at school!
A1. As I teacher, I liked to supplement with Explode the Code.
So glad to have you, Bridgette!
A1: you can share this with schools as well: ttp://www.edutopia.org/blog/dyslexia-in-general-ed-classroom-kelli-sandman-hurley
A2 Whatever the intervention it should be multi-sensory.
A1 see'g change, Ts wanting knowledge & instruction. Trained w/ Ts last week in TakeFlight next week 200 registered for DDOK conf
A2: Understood was a life changer for me as an educator. Dr. Sally Shaywitz has amazing knowledge &
A2. I really like your book, . So informative and readable.
So glad you are here today Bridgette!
that is great! My boys are working on videos for this year. Great way to educate teachers and peers.
Just dropping by to say hi, ! :)
A2.Explode the Code and other Orton materials. Also love Reading Comp. in Varied Subj. matter! should check-out EPS books
at the cabin with only data which isn't super conducive to chatting but wanted to say hello :)
A2: We're proud to be a resource for multi-sensory prgms like O-G, LiPS, Wilson, etc., and to generally offer answers and advocacy.
Love your book, too! A GREAT tool for parents who want to work effectively with their schools
A2: I think the biggest question teachers have is what does Multisensory or "dyslexia" instruction look like
Don't forget, we'll be giving away some copies of 's book, Advocate!. Keep an eye on your DMs.
Hi, Kerri! So glad you are here
A2: So often simply having someone to talk to who understand IEPs, lingo, tools, AT, etc., is what makes all the difference.
Parent, teacher and advocate - first time on Twitter actually - new to advocacy - dyslexia in daughter's IEP ... Now to get interven
Q2 supporting teachers with strategies to help students with dyslexia in the general ed setting as well as in intervention
Welcome to (and to Twitter)! So glad to have you.
Welcome to (and to Twitter)! So glad to have you.
Welcome! You will make great and relevant connections here.
A2. Also like Bonnie Kline stories.
We are finding here in TX that is best way to assure implementation of laws
Q3. For a child with , what does a good look like?
lots of wonderful national resources mentioned. Helpful to look into what your state or school district offers too
Good point. More training is needed.
the instructional piece & accommodations together r such powerful tools 4 teachers to Understand!
The appropriate accommodations must be identified, not just a menu of possibilities and what could be helpful
A2 having access to good quality information. It is a world none of us have had a class for.
A3 has measurable goals, involves students, lists assistive tech
Q3 IEP with goals that are explicit and systematic to child's reading need reflective of their step in O-G program, plus accoms
the IEP goals should not b linked to the districts assessment. I believe they shld b in multiple milestone format
Thank u for the resource,will check it out! Even as a veteran educator always looking to improve.
would love to see examples of great IEP goals for Ss w dyslexia
yAS, both and have videos on their sites and on YouTube.
A3. Specifics for the classroom in terms of accommodations and modifications that are paired with specific explanations!
Always surprises me how many teachers can't write appropriate goals - they need to be SMART
A3 Make sure they get access to age level reading material.
A3. Clear and descriptive presnt levels of performance and academic achievement!
Yes indeed! + have been supportive of movement
Thanks - I will look online for them specifically.
Currently participating in a chat with and other parents, professionals and educators on and in
A3. Appropriate goals for a student with dyslexia
Very much agreed! very important to have student learn them as well to !
Thank you Angela! It was a long time coming! Feels good to share our success story!
awesome! Thank u! Do they apply to younger children? K-1st grade?
these success stories really need to be shared!
Last question coming up...
Yes love your resources and train parents on this as well
Q4. What can parents do to be the best possible advocates for their child with ?
And remember - if your child already has an you can ask for to be added to help secure intervention
A4: Educate yourselves. Read the law. Understand what you can and cannot ask for. Take someone with you.
A4 Be visible, be open and transparent, stay informed, communicate often - so many things really
Great question! Take it away !
yes! . If your team pushes back, request they at least list it in the notes.
A4: Never be afraid to speak up and start with your child's teacher. You will hopefully be stronger advocates as a team!
Don't ask for anything specific instead describe the intervention and make sure it responds to your students individual needs.
A4Educate yourself as a parent & work closely w/ the special ed teacher to develop a positive relationship
A4: record every meeting and don't be afraid to be 'that parent'.
A4. Must be fierce advocates! Build bridges so that the conversation goes beyond their child and the specific classroom.
A4. Be sure your child is receiving OG-based intervention!
Also work with your child with the sped ed teacher to learn to advocate!
These things are essential. Parents have to be fully present at the table no matter what
Q4 Be active w/community like know what school can & should reasonably do & supplement at home to accelerate skills
Yes - Super important! This helps get the conversation started rather than shutting it down
Yes we worked hard on this with my son in elementary and it has paid off in secondary school.
Any final thoughts before we wrap up?
Keep an eye on your DMs within the next hour to see if you won a book!
Never attend an meeting alone is my for parents. it helps ALL for you to have support
Thank you for having me on this chat. I hope the resources that we all shared are helpful.
A4. Keep lines of communication open, seek out allies, stay informed, share expertise with team.
Great to hear! I have worked at developing positive relationship w/ my parents!
A4 educate yourself then your community. Connect w/others see how they have made progress & kids have succeeded. ❤️ the DD family
A4 Wveryone has a different experience, but I would say there are many factors in their education. Take a wholistic approach.
Thanks for joining today’s chat, and a special thanks to Kelli Sandman-Hurley for cohosting!
Great conversion happening NOW in on how to advocate for your child with dyslexia! https://t.co/794eft8Oxs
Q4. What can parents do to be the best possible advocates for their child with ?
A4: Positive relationships are my goal at IEP meeting.
Join us next week. We’ll be chatting about engaging reluctant readers with Executive Director Louise Baigelman.
Yes. Parents need to view themselves as experts on their child and not feel they have nothing to contribute
SO important Tiffany! How are y'all doing this in OK?
Thank you for your excellent advice & perspective on process. So for you!
Parent teacher relationships do make a difference. Starting there is important.
I have found this to be the first step - figuring it all out as parents.
Yes thank-you for inviting me to today's chat. Glad to be able to join in.
Great conversation today! Thanks !
Me too - but it can be Very hard to stay positive when facing a "No" Resources like help me to
That's what I am hearing! so excited for y'all! Let me know how can help!
Tons of helpful resources provided by today on the by I will post a few highlights
Thank you for the Advocate book! Looking forward to reading & helping parents!
