2017 Dyslexia Senate Resolution

The following is Senate Resolution 284 which passed unanimously on October 5, 2017.

Calling on Congress, schools, and State and local educational agencies to recognize the significant educational implications of dyslexia that must be addressed and designating

October 2017 as “National Dyslexia Awareness Month”.

Whereas dyslexia is—

(1) defined as an unexpected difficulty in reading for an individual who has the intelligence to be a much better reader; and

(2) most commonly caused by a difficulty in phonological processing (the appreciation of the individual sounds of spoken language), which affects the ability of an individual to speak, read, spell, and often, learn a second language;

Whereas dyslexia is the most common learning disability and affects 80 percent to 90 percent of all individuals with a learning disability;

Whereas dyslexia is persistent and highly prevalent, affecting as many as 1 out of 5 individuals;

Whereas dyslexia is a paradox in that an individual with dyslexia may have both —

(1) weaknesses in decoding that result in difficulties in accurate or fluent word recognition; and

(2) strengths in higher-level cognitive functions, such as reasoning, critical thinking, concept formation, or problem solving;

Whereas great progress has been made in understanding dyslexia on a scientific level, including the epidemiology and cognitive and neurobiological bases of dyslexia; and

Whereas early screening for and early diagnosis of dyslexia are critical for ensuring that individuals with dyslexia receive focused, evidence-based intervention that leads to fluent reading, promotion of self-awareness and self-empowerment and the provision of necessary accommodations that ensure success in school and in life: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) calls on Congress, schools, and State and local educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia has significant educational implications that must be addressed; and

(2) designates October 2017 as “National Dyslexia Awareness Month”.

Key words include “significant educational implications” that “must be addressed”. This implies that dyslexia is an urgent and serious issue that is currently not being addressed in our current educational system. We need the community of dyslexia to speak out!

Dyslexia involves all aspects of language that relate to the “appreciation of the individual sounds of spoken language” which involves a large part of the school day-reading, writing, and speaking.

It is “persistent” and therefore accommodations are for life and not selected tests.

“Decoding and fluency” have to be addressed in the education of these children and that standardized testing which is written for the fluent reader test a dyslexic’s weakness and not their strengths. Strengths include “reasoning, critical thinking, concept formation, and problem solving.”

We have made great progress in “understanding dyslexia on a scientific level” so therefore those with dyslexia should have that term on their IEP and there should be no shame on the child or parents part.

“Early screening for and diagnosis of dyslexia are critical” so that they receive “evidence –based interventions that lead to fluent reading”.

The DRC exists to inform, educate, and advocate for children of dyslexia and their parents and teachers.