Building A Dyslexia Parent Group - Step 4

STEP 4 - FORMING A PARENT GROUP

Form a parent group even if your district is getting things right. It’s the best way to advocate for children with dyslexia and create change in the classroom.

Teachers and administrators are overwhelmed and underpaid, so your parent group keeps dyslexia a priority. (The squeaky wheel gets the grease.) This also helps educate parents to be full participants in IEP meetings.

STEP 4 - JOIN OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY

Join our email list at OurDyslexicChildren@ gmail.com, as well as join our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook group. We are regularly updating our socials and website with the newest information available to us, including timely interviews with thought leaders in the field.

STEP 4 - RECRUITING PARENTS FOR THE GROUP

Recruit parents of children who are receiving ‘reading help’ at school and ask them to join the parent group. Volunteer at school if you can, and see which children are receiving additional reading instruction. Ask your children which peers recieve additional reading help. These parents (along with some parents from parent support groups you’ve already met) may well be the start to your parent group. Seek out parents with special skills, i.e. attorneys, accountants, sales professionals, speech therapists, teachers etc. An educational advocate can also help grow your group by asking their clients if they are interested in joining.

STEP 4 - BECOMING A PARENTS' BEST RESOURCE

Begin educational programming for parents. Become a parent’s best resource. Children with dyslexia not learning to read is a preventable tragedy. The more people who understand this, the more effect we can have. You can have neuropsychologists, educational advocates, International Dyslexia Association local chapters, Decoding Dyslexia local chapters, speech therapists, etc. speak to your parents. Show our film and hold a panel discussion of parents and children afterwards.

STEP 4 - FUNDRAISING FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Fundraise for Orton-Gillingham or Wilson training for your reading specialists. Host fundraisers and leverage the crowd. Make effective reading remediation and instruction the focus.

STEP 4 - UNDERSTANDING THE INNER WORKINGS OF YOUR DISTRICT

Further understand the nuances of the inner workings of your school district by getting inside their walls more often. Attend school board meetings, see who the decision makers and influencers are. Build relationships and don’t be deterred if the school staff turns you down.

STEP 4 - BUILDING BONDS WITHIN YOUR PARENT GROUP

Make your group efforts fun and effective! Create a social atmosphere for 15 minutes before each meeting. Refreshments are always appreciated.

STEP 4 - SHARING INFORMATION WITH YOUR DISTRICT

Buy paperback copies of Overcoming Dyslexia and pass them out at board meetings, IEP meetings and give to teachers, principals, school board members, etc. They are cheaper than private school tuition. Also give copies to school staff, and send them Emily Hanford’s podcasts. Try to educate them in an inclusive way. You’re learning, so share as you learn. You might also donate books on dyslexia and decodable books to classrooms and to the public library. Invite the superintendent and the newspaper for a photo opportunity.

STEP 4 - FUNDRAISING FOR BROADER PARTICIPATION

Schedule a fundraiser to pay advocacy fees for families who don’t have the resources in your district. Helping children with dyslexia learn to read can be very expensive, so building equity into your parent group is incredibly important.

STEP 4 - HIRING AN EDUCATIONAL ADVOCATE & ATTORNEY

Hire an educational advocate for your group if you can afford one. Educational advocates may be experts in dyslexia, reading and educational services, and may already know key players in your district. A great educational advocate can significantly shorten the learning curve.

STEP 4 - REQUESTING INFORMATION FROM YOUR DISTRICT

Make sure all parents in your group have requested a full academic record for their child from the district.