Language & Literacy Clinic

07/18/2025

Dyslexia can manifest differently depending on a child’s age and stage of reading development. Early identification is critical to provide effective support and intervention.

07/09/2025

Article written by Matt Selah, J.D., PhD.
Some highlights below:

"The new budget made major cuts to programs like Medicaid and Every Student Succeeds Act Title I after-school programs.

Title I provides supplemental supports like affordable childcare, homework assistance, and recreational activities that can be vital for students with learning disabilities. Schools routinely use Medicaid dollars to cover the costs of support services that are directly relevant to students with disabilities, such as nurses, school psychologists, counselors, and assistive technologies.

Less federal oversight makes students and families more susceptible to the whims and budget constraints of their home state and district. Diversion of federal dollars to school choice efforts pulls funds from already cash-strapped public schools. None of this is good, but remember that a new budget doesn’t absolve your school of legal requirements."

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/blog/trumps-budget-what-parents-need-to-know/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLbn49leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFLazdWVnFDNW9vZzgzRWoyAR52KCo76HrWixGLIJjd1EmDyqPWzU3i1xef_T6KK2C_IDUrVWQ0MUmxZ29jjA_aem_J5FlcULikHS0eRTFQ_bAfA

By Matt Saleh, J.D., Ph.D. A whirlwind of federal legal activity has left parents uncertain and concerned about their children’s

01/26/2025

Join us and spread the word! It’s going to be a fabulous day of learning and collaborating!

No one is going to want to miss this line-up!
6 Contact Hours!
Early bird registration has been extended!
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/2025COIDASummit

11/01/2024

The podcast, Sold a Story, was just chosen as a "Series Essential" by Apple Podcasts! These are shows "that will captivate you from start to finish." Apple stated, “Series Essentials will spotlight the pinnacle of podcasting, celebrating the finest storytelling and the medium’s greatest achievements.” Below is the link to a new video introducing the Sold a Story podcast series.

Congratulations, Emily Hanford, and all who created, produced, and were interviewed on this podcast! It has made such an impact on opening the discussions between researchers, educators, parents, colleges of education, and legislators about reading instruction across the US! Change has happened and is still evolving. There is much more work to be done! The "story continues...!"

https://youtu.be/QmAxCgFDuLQ?si=puNrM9y84fJm4l-W

10/29/2024

Early identification and intervention is the key to success! While all children with dyslexia can make progress, those who are diagnosed after 3rd grade have to work much harder to close the gap.

💡 Unfortunately, most students are diagnosed in the second or third grade, but it should be much earlier. NCIL expert, Nadine Gaab Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital and the Harvard Medical School, explains the “dyslexia paradox,” which is the discrepancy between when dyslexia is diagnosed, and the most optimal window. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPA3EsEFL0I

Check back tomorrow for another fact!

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Every day in October, we’re posting a new fact about dyslexia that we hope you’ll share with your own family, friends, and network. With your help, we can transform how society understands and supports individuals with dyslexia. Learn more about dyslexia and get evidence-based approaches to dyslexia here: https://improvingliteracy.org/dyslexia/

10/19/2024

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Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is 5x more common than autism, yet many have never heard of it. Today is DLD Awareness Day, but it is our mission to spread awareness year-round. Please visit our website at DLDandMe.org, linked in the bio, to learn more and join us today in spreading the word to others.

10/18/2024

Today is DLD Awareness Day! DLD and Dyslexia co-occur approximately 50% of the time, yet it is often missed. Spreading information and resources today to increase awareness!

“DLD stands for Developmental Language Disorder. It is a difficulty with understanding and using spoken words and sentences. It has a neurodevelopmental basis, so people are born with it and don't 'just grow out of it', and it is not caused by their parents not talking to them. It impacts on learning, literacy, relationships and employment. Every person with DLD is different. Awareness is fundamental as with identification and support, people with DLD can thrive and lead the lives they want to. Join us to build a better word for all with DLD and their families.”

Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder (RADLD) is the international advocacy for people with Developmental Language Disorder.

10/16/2024

Reading comprehension deficits can be caused by dyslexia, DLD, or a combination of both. Learn about DLD from expert, Dr. Tiffany Hogan, in this brief video.

Tiffany Hogan, Ph.D., CCC-SLP defines developmental language disorder, DLD, as difficulty using and understanding language. Dr. Hogan discusses the need to s...

10/15/2024

DLD Awareness Day is this Friday, Oct. 18. These children and teens are underserved in schools. Learn more about the characteristics of DLD through this excellent tool!

The DLD bubble is now interactive! Thanks to some innovative teachers and Speech and Language Therapists you can now click on the RADLD DLD bubble to access information. It is an extremely useful way to develop an understanding of DLD. It includes loads of links to information also. Available in English and Welsh. Find it here https://www.naplic.org.uk/resource/dld-bubble-toolkit/ or search 'DLD bubble interactive toolkit.' Check it out and share it widely!

is Friday October 18th. The theme is 'Speak up for DLD' as we want more people to know about DLD. Join us to amplify the voices of this hidden condition.

NOTE: DLD stands for Developmental Language Disorder. It is a difficulty with understanding and using spoken words and sentences. It has a neurodevelopmental basis, so people are born with it and don't 'just grow out of it', and it is not caused by their parents not talking to them. It impacts on learning, literacy, relationships and employment. Every person with DLD is different. Awareness is fundamental as with identification and support, people with DLD can thrive and lead the lives they want to. Join us to build a better word for all with DLD and their families. radld.org

10/14/2024

This is a helpful resource for parents of children with dyslexia provided by the International Dyslexia Association.
https://dyslexiaida.org/ida-dyslexia-handbook/?fbclid=IwY2xjawF5ZaJleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRjdMDfZhTecQSgfjk4ykkJv6ER0jp00FoN1hwBmvZ_pinoZg-3O3PEt_A_aem_e-FpZg0SwDW9ZXM9QehhwQ

In addition to offering valuable information about dyslexia and its characteristics, this handbook provides information on assessments, effective teaching

10/01/2024

Here's to the wonderful children, teens, and adults with dyslexia who show their perseverance, grit, unique talents, and creativity each and every day! May they be seen, may they be heard, and may they be given the appropriate intervention and supports!

05/04/2024

Roughly, 1 in 14 have DLD. Catts et al. (2005) found that 17%–36% of children with kindergarten DLD also met criteria for dyslexia in the second through eighth grades, depending on the criteria used to diagnose dyslexia.

DLD stands for 'Developmental Language Disorder', but what is 'language'? This poster explains it clearly. Language includes: 'content' (the words the speaker wants to use, in this case 'tacos'), 'form' (forming a word from the individual speech sounds, putting the words into a sentence) and importantly 'use' (the 'why?, which in this case is a request to make tacos).
DLD may impact on any or all of these specific areas.