City/Town: Holly Springs

When did you join the Decoding Dyslexia North Carolina Board? Fall 2022

Why did you decide to join the DDNC Board? I decided to join the board to be able to share what I have learned as a speech pathologist and dyslexia specialist with others. Every child has the right to learn to read and write, and should be given every opportunity to do so, with whatever support they may need. Every parent has the right to understand their child’s learning needs and receive the necessary support and information to help their child succeed.

Who inspired you to learn more about dyslexia? My students! The more I know, the better I can serve them.

What is the best piece of advice you have received on your dyslexia journey? Document everything! Save report cards, school work samples, beginning, middle and end of year screenings, standardized test results, etc. This data can be key in documenting your child’s struggles and conveying this to their school team or outside professionals.

What is one piece of advice you would like to give others? Encouragement is so important. Focus on all of your child’s many gifts and interests, both in school and out. Praise their efforts and each small bit of progress. Let them know that you are part of their team, and that together, you all can accomplish anything!

What are some of your favorite dyslexia resources? Dyslexia Advocate!, a book by Kelli Sandman-Hurley, is a great tool for parents trying to understand the laws surrounding learning disabilities and how to navigate the IEP process. Also, Jane Wettach, at Duke’s Children’s Law Clinic, put together an excellent parent guide to special education, specific to North Carolina. https://law.duke.edu/childedlaw/docs/Parents’_guide.pdf