"Dyslexia is a neurobiological disorder that affects the development of both decoding (pronunciation of the written word) and encoding (spelling). " (Mather and Wendling, 2012, p.3) In short: Not all struggling readers are dyslexic. The severity of this neurological disorder is on a continuum. It is not primarily a difficulty with reading comprehension. The term has been used and confused but the full and current definition comes from the International Dyslexia Association. Many states do not use the term dyslexia in their regulations, but others, including Virginia do (Mather & Wendling, 2012).

Be READY for potential licensure requirement changes by taking advantage of professional development opportunities.

*	VA: SB 1386 requires every person seeking initial teacher licensure or renewal of a teaching license with an endorsement in elementary education to receive professional development on the screening, intervention, and accommodations for students with reading disabilities, including dyslexia.

SET learning in motion by delivering effective reading instruction for students with dyslexia, which is:

*	Multisensory
*	Direct and explicit
*	Language-based
*	Structured, sequential and cumulative
*	Diagnostic and prescriptive
*	Cognitive approach
*	Emotionally sound and scaffolded for success (Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators)

For more information, ideas, resources & tools, GO to:

*	Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) - Learning Disabilities: Various Types of Specific Learning Disabilities
*	International Dyslexia Association (IDA) , including basic and technical information, this resource provides the characteristics of dyslexia in early childhood/primary grades through middle/secondary school.
*	LD Online: Educators' Guide to Learning Disabilities and ADHD Type "reading and dyslexia" in the upper right search box.
*	TTAC Online - Type "dyslexia" in the upper right search box.
*	The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity
*	Accessible Instructional Materials-Virginia (AIM-VA) supports reading across the curriculum for eligible students with vision, physical or learning disabilities
*	Learning Disabilities Association of America
*	Decoding Dyslexia Virginia is a grassroots parents movement focused on linking families to resources, support, and educational interventions for dyslexia.
*	Spafford, C.A. & Grosser, G.E. (2005). Dyslexia and Reading Difficulties: Research and Resource Guide for Working with All Struggling Readers (2nd Ed.). NY: Pearson
*	Birsh, J.R. (2011). Multi-Sensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills (3rd Ed.). Baltimore, MD: Brookes Publishing, Inc.

References:

Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practioners and Educators (AOGPE)

Mather, N. & Wendling, B.J. (2012) Essentials of Dyslexia Assessment and Intervention. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley & Sons

This news brief is a collaborative effort of the Virginia Department of Education Training and Technical Assistance Centers at George Mason University and James Madison University. This issue was prepared by the staff of the VDOE TTAC at George Mason University. For questions about content, please contact Judith Fontana at jfontan1@gmu.edu or Kathy Nutt at knutt@gmu.edu or call 703.99.4496.