Texas Dyslexia Academies Synchronous Training

Dyslexia and Other Related Disorders

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The Texas Dyslexia Academies courses include: TDA 1:Foundations, TDA 2: The Dyslexia Handbook, TDA 3: Considerations for Emergent Bilingual Students, TDA 4: From Child Find through the ARD Committee Process, TDA 5: Screening, TDA 6: Dysgraphia 

TDA 1: Dyslexia Foundations

Dyslexia Foundations is the first of six training opportunities developed to assist educators to better understand dyslexia and related disorders. In this course, participants learn foundational information about how students acquire reading skills, why some students struggle in reading, what dyslexia is, and warning signs that dyslexia may be causing a student’s reading difficulties. The objectives for this course are: 

  • Explore the elements of reading
  • Define dyslexia, its characteristics, and related disorders
  • Explore the common risk factors for dyslexia
  • Understand associated academic difficulties

Suggested staff: 

All educators and administrators, including those wishing to build a foundational understanding of dyslexia.

TDA 2: The Dyslexia Handbook

The Dyslexia Handbook was developed to assist school districts and charter schools in understanding The Dyslexia Handbook 2021 Update: Procedures Concerning Dyslexia and Related Disorders. In this course, participants explore the handbook and learn about important updates from the 2018 version of the handbook. The objectives for this course are:

  • Explore The Dyslexia Handbook, 2021 Update
  • Define dyslexia, its characteristics, and common risk factors
  • Understand universal screening and data review for reading risk
  • Understand the evaluation and identification process, and provision of services for students with dyslexia
  • Explore critical, evidence-based components of dyslexia instruction
  • Understand the evaluation and identification process, and provision of services for students with dysgraphia

Suggested staff: 

All educators and administrators, particularly those responsible for ensuring implementation of the dyslexia handbook.

TDA 3: Considerations for Emergent Bilingual Students

Considerations for Emergent Bilingual Students provides a general overview of the unique needs of emergent bilingual students as it relates to dyslexia risk factors, identification, and services. The objectives for this course are:

  • Understand how The Dyslexia Handbook, 2021 Update addresses emergent bilingual students
  • Understand the process of second language acquisition
  • Learn about the benefits of bilingualism
  • Explore the various types of alphabetic systems that exist around the world
  • Explore instructional programming for emergent bilingual students

Suggested staff: 

All educators and administrators, particularly those responsible for providing or overseeing reading instruction for emergent bilingual students. 

TDA 4: Dyslexia: From Child Find through the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee Process

Dyslexia: From Child Find through the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee Process is designed to build background knowledge about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and special education. It provides information about core special education concepts such as Child Find, Full Individual and Initial Evaluations (FIIE), Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committees, and Individual Education Program (IEP) development. Participants will gain an understanding of: 

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
  • Child Find requirements
  • The referral process for an initial evaluation when a specific learning disability (SLD)/dyslexia is suspected
  • Notice of Action- Prior Written Notice (PWN), Notice of Procedural Safeguards, and Overview of Special Education for Parents
  • Full individual and initial evaluation (FIIE)
  • Admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee meeting and components of the individualized education program (IEP)
  • Reevaluation process

Suggested staff:

All educators and administrators, but primarily benefits educators who may have limited knowledge about special education processes.

TDA 5: Screening for Dyslexia

Screening for Dyslexia focuses on the universal screening process for dyslexia and reading development. The objectives for this course are:

  • Understand the importance of early screening
  • Understand the state screening requirements
  • Define universal screening for dyslexia and related disorders
  • Become familiar with guidelines for the administration of screening instruments
  • Explore interpretation of screening results
  • Understand the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) requirements related to screening
  • Understand best practices for ongoing progress monitoring

Suggested staff: 

All educators and administrators, particularly kindergarten and first grade staff who are involved in selecting, administering, and/or interpreting dyslexia screening results. 

TDA 6: Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia provides educators with foundational information about dysgraphia, which is a related disorder to dyslexia. In this course, participants explore how students acquire writing skills, what dysgraphia is, the identification process, and provision of services for students with dysgraphia as outlined in the Dyslexia Handbook. The objectives for this course are:

  • Understand the simple view of writing and the stages of handwriting development
  • Understand the definition and characteristics of dysgraphia
  • Understand the procedures for the identification of dysgraphia
  • Explore instruction for students with dysgraphia
  • Explore instructional accommodations and technology tools

Suggest staff: 

All educators and administrators