Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley shares more about the Dyslexia Training In-stitute and the upcoming event in Redding. Kelli has been in education all her life.  Her focus turned to those with dyslexia after hearing the story of an adult man whose life had been ruined due to his inability to read.  She connected with this man on a very personal level, and the tragedy of the stigma associated with his disability struck her heart in a way she’d never imagined.  Awareness and education have been her focus ever since.  She has kindly taken the time to answer a few questions for us.

Q:  What is the Dyslexia Training Institute?  What do you do there?KKelli:  Tracy Block-Zaretsky and I started DTI after working with low literate adults for many years. Soon realizing we needed to “catch them sooner,” we shifted to address the needs of both adults and children.  To achieve this, we “educate the educators” via two certificate programs – Orton-Gilling-ham and Dyslexia Advocate certification.  Our online courses and materials effectively eliminate the geographical barriers which have played such a huge role in limiting access for educators.  We also provide direct tutoring services, assessment and advocacy services. Q:  You mentioned working with adults.  How does that differ from working with children?Kelli:  It really is a world of difference.   Adults are hyper-engaged and 100% bought in, versus kids – you have to “sell it.”  Adults come in on a purely voluntary basis, and are inquisitive in a different way.  Not forced by their parents, adult dyslexics are generally highly motivated, progress faster, and are willing to work harder.  They've already felt the sting of dyslexia in the real world and know they need help.  Comprehension and vocabulary also play a role, and adults will more readily grasp some subtle concepts.  Q:  If I’m the parent of a dyslexic child, what are the key pitfalls to avoid?KKelli:  If your child is diagnosed by someone who is responsible, then they’ll be given a road map – a guide of sorts which will help you with the next steps.  Dyslexia resources aren't as normalized as re-sources for other disabilities,and there are very few laws protecting the educational rights of stu-dents with dyslexia.  As a result, Internet search results could easily result in selection of a vision therapist, for example, or someone promising dyslexia can be cured in twenty minutes.  The volume of information (and misinformation) is massive.  If the person who conducted the assessment is responsible and efficient, they’ll provide a road map.  It all starts with the diagnosis and the individual performing the tests.  If you’re lost and frustrated, there are free and paid advocacy services.  Seek a referral from an agency or other trusted resource.

 Kelli will be speaking at the Dyslexia for a Day event in Redding on January 25, 2014.  Kelli and a host of other speakers will be providing information and advice on the challenges of dyslexia, what’s being done, and what needs to be done.  Kelli’s organization, DTI, is providing the dyslexia simulation “kit” being used at the event so non-dyslexics may get a glimpse into the challenging world faced daily by dyslexics.  For more information about this event, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/567482630001741/.