Quick links:
1. Important Books
2.Important websites
3.Important Videos
4.Famous People with Dyslexia
5. Assisted Technology
Important Books
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Sally Shaywitz, M. D. Overcoming Dyslexia
Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level, Sally Shaywitz, (2003) Knopf.Dr. Shaywitz, one of the leading experts in the field of reading and dyslexia, offers us a comprehensive science-based book filled with information and practical tips to help understand the complexity of dyslexia. Sally Shaywitz helps us to understand how the brain works for reading and shares this information through clear diagrams, text and personal narratives.
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Brock Eide, M.D. & Fernette Eide, M.D, The Dyslexic Advantage
The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain, Brock Eide, M.D., and Fernette Eide, M.D., (Reprint Edition, July 31, 2012) Plume.Drs. Brock L. Eide and Fernette F. Eide explain how “ultimately we’ve recognized the phenomenon of dyslexia, but missed its significance.” The differences in the dyslexic neurology that create such difficulty with reading and writing may also be responsible for many superior thinking skills. Reading this important book will provide you with a more all-inclusive way to see dyslexia that “places abilities rather than disabilities at the center of our ideas” about dyslexia.
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Linda Siegel, Understanding Dyslexia and Other Learning Disorders
Learn more on Pacific Education PressThis book combines case studies with scientific research, intertwining the struggles of dyslexic students with valuable information. The book will be of great interest to parents, teachers and specialists as Dr. Siegel is an accomplished researcher and expert in reading and language disabilities. She manages to express herself in easy-to-read narratives that increase the depth of our understanding of dyslexia.
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Ben Foss, The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan
Play to Your Child’s Strengths, Says Ben Foss, Author With DyslexiaThis book does much more than to just tell you what dyslexia is; it tells you what to do about it. Ben Foss offers readers a unique understanding of dyslexia from the perspective of someone who has grown up dyslexic, felt the shame of being different, and has become a successful entrepreneur, activist and author. We think this is an important book for its ability to impart an understanding of the emotional turmoil that many dyslexic children deal with regularly. Growing up dyslexic has enabled Ben to offer parents appropriate and practical tools to support their dyslexic child. Ben is a proud dyslexic and opens up honestly about his dyslexia, sharing both his triumphs and failures so we can learn from his experiences. His three-step approach is filled with practical ideas and strategies that are empowering for parents on a quest to raise a dyslexic child with hope and belief in their future successes.
Important Websites
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International Dyslexia Association
The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is the oldest organization devoted to learning about and treating dyslexia. This international organization has a mission to offer reliable information and services addressing all aspects of dyslexia and related reading/writing issues.
The website is well organized and well worth some time. Their annual conference is both informative and inspiring for professionals as well as individuals with dyslexia and their families.
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Dyslexic Advantage
Check out this website with an abundance of well-organized, informative and inspiring resources to read, watch, listen to and subscribe to. With the reputable neuroscience background of the Dyslexic Advantage founders Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide, and the largest worldwide dyslexia community, this wonderful website is a valuable source of reliable information and inspiration.
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Head Strong Nation
Headstrong Nation is a movement dedicated to empowering adult dyslexics to understand and “own their dyslexia”. The website offers a wealth of information and resources for adults with dyslexia and parents of dyslexic children.
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National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)
The following two websites fall under the umbrella of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) and are deserving of your time. You can also find valuable links to sites for teachers and professionals on the NCLD
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Understood
This innovative initiative of the NCLD is actually the amalgamation of 15 non-profit organizations that have joined together to support the families of children with dyslexia and attentional issues. This is an extremely well put together website, filled with resources, free access to experts, and lots of practical tips. This website uses state-of-the-art technology and is very supportive to the dyslexic community.
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Friends of Quinn
Friends of Quinn is a most supportive online community for young adults with learning differences. It is filled with information in the form of videos, blogs and resources.
Visit page
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Dyslexia-ville
Peggy Stern, a dyslexic Academy Award winning producer and director, is launching a marvelous new website: D-ville, that hopes to be "The comprehensive online network that will become the launching pad to success for the millions of dyslexics around the world."
Visit Website
Important Videos
Dyslexia does not have to prevent success; these videos prove it!
Please check out a few of the many meaningful videos available online. These suggestions are just a few of our favorites but will lead you to a host of others. Some of these videos are wonderful to watch with your child and could initiate discussions about dyslexic strengths, encouraging your child and helping the whole family to understand the true nature of dyslexia.
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What is Dyslexia? - Dyslexic Advantage One Minute Video
This animated explanation of dyslexia informs well in just one easy-to-understand minute.
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The Advantages of Dyslexia
In this informative 12-minute video, Alan Alda interviews Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide who explain the numerous advantages that are part of the dyslexia profile.
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Talent of Dyslexic Children
At the Conference on Dyslexia and Talent, a milestone event that brought together accomplished poets, CEOs, artists, doctors, lawyers, and leaders who happen to be dyslexic, Dyslexic Advantage neurologist Dr. Fernette Eide explains the MIND strengths of dyslexic students in her interesting 10-minute presentation.
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Headstrong Nation: Inside the Hidden World of Dyslexia & ADHD
Ben Foss talks honestly and informatively with numerous individuals with dyslexia and ADHD. This half hour video is informative and inspirational with compelling and clear explanations of many aspects of dyslexia and ADHD.
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“Because I’m Dyslexic”
This 3-minute video that within 10 days had more than 200,000 views, gives a series of insightful video clips of dyslexic people who explain how they succeeded because they were dyslexic!
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Overcoming Dyslexia, Finding Passion: Piper Otterbein atTEDxYouth@CEHS
Piper is a regular high school girl, who explains, in a way most kids will easily relate to, the challenges of school if you are dyslexic, and the benefits of being dyslexic.
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Stealth Dyslexia
Stop Climbing, Start Swimming: The hidden advantages of dyslexia: Jonathan Buchanan at TEDxWarwickED
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The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia
James Redford, The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia is an honest, well-done one-hour documentary highlighting both eminent and everyday people with dyslexia. It is well worth your time to watch; older kids have much to gain from sharing this experience with you.
Famous People with Dyslexia
Some dyslexic people you may recognize in these next videos:
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Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg dropped out of high school as a result of her struggles with dyslexia. "I knew I wasn't stupid, and I knew I wasn't dumb. My mother told me that. Everybody told me I wasn't stupid or dumb. If you read to me, I could tell you everything that you read. They didn't know what it was. They knew I wasn't lazy, but what was it?" She has found the reason for her reading struggles—dyslexia, and shares some good insights on her brief video clip
Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg says, “I’m still slow at reading but I do adjust…” as he discusses his dyslexia in an interview with Quinn Bradlee. Steven explains how “It’s more common than you could ever imagine…you’re not alone, there are ways to accelerate your reading skills….it will not hold you back…”
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Sir Richard Branson on Dyslexia
The founder of Virgin Group is dyslexic. Share a bit of his personal story as Quinn Bradlee, from the National Center for Learning Disabilities, interviews him in this short video clip created by the team at Understood.
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Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston’s struggle with dyslexia is briefly discussed by the YouTube doctors in this short video clip.
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Orlando Bloom
Orlando Bloom explains how even though as a child “homework was a nightmare”, he was able to take this dyslexia obstacle and “make it a reason to be a winner in life”. This is an inspiring 5 minutes.
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Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley, interviewed about her dyslexia in 2005, discusses how early intervention helped her to overcome her struggle with dyslexia.
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David Boies
Famed lawyer David Boies talks about how he coped with dyslexia in law school and how dyslexia has actually made him a better lawyer. He offers some great advice.
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Lt. Governor of California Gavin Newsom
Quinn Bradlee interviews Lt. Governor of California Gavin Newsom about how he grew up with dyslexia, the nightmares of his worst school memories and how dyslexia helped him to develop the strategies he uses to be so successful in his career. This short video informs and inspires.
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Brian Grazer: Katz Memorial Lecture Conversation with Harold Koplewicz.
Academy Award winning producer and writer Brian Grazer is known for his films and TV shows that have been nominated for a total of 52 Oscars and 94 Emmys. He is lesser known for his strong insights into how a dyslexic person copes with the challenges of school and growing up. Harold S. Koplewicz, MD, founding president of the Child Mind Institute, interviews Brian Grazer for an informative 60 minutes of conversation. As a leading child and adolescent psychiatrist, he asks important questions that elicit insightful responses. It is both enjoyable and worthwhile to listen to Brian express how he overcame his challenges by using his strengths with enormous results.
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Daymond John
Daymond John, Shark Tank star, is another dyslexic success story. In this mini-video clip series exclusive to Understood, he chats with his mother. As they share stories, the benefit of an encouraging and understanding parent becomes evident. With his mother’s help, Daymond learned to read and started FUBU, his clothing line. Together they have some good advice for viewers!
Assisted Technology
Assisted technology has been avoided by many dyslexic students who express frustration with robotic voices and numerous (sometimes embarrassing) spelling errors when using voice to text programs. However, the newest innovations are creating better and better user experiences and I would encourage students with dyslexia to check out the following video clips:
Ben Foss demonstrating text-to-speech technology:
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Dragon Naturally Speaking Software
Ben Foss demonstrates, with a dyslexic student, how the latest version of Dragon Naturally Speaking software works surprisingly well for speech-to-text writing.
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Windows 7 Speech Recognition v Dragon Naturally Speaking Version 11.5,
Demonstration of Windows 7 Speech Recognition v Dragon Naturally Speaking Version 11.5, shows important differences for users to understand. This video is encouraging and motivating with respect to the newer assisted technologies.