Category Archives: Learning Disabilities

What Texas Parents Need to Know about Dyslexia Programs

Posted on November 3, 2022 by Janis Arnold

Overview of Federal Law Governing Special Education The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) sets specific standards for the education of children with learning disabilities, including dyslexia. IDEA serves to provide protection for handicapped children by making sure that each … Continue reading →

Posted in Brave New World, Educational Diagnostician, Learning Disabilities, Special Education in Texas | 2 Comments

Obtaining Learning Disability Services for DYSLEXIA under IDEA in Texas  in 2022

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Janis Arnold

In this post I am writing ONLY about children diagnosed with specific learning disabilities (including dyslexia and dysgraphia). These children ARE qualified for special education services if a “severe discrepancy” between present levels–academic achievement and intellectual ability (specific cognitive processing weaknesses … Continue reading →

Posted in Educational Diagnostician, Learning Disabilities, Special Education in Texas | 2 Comments

The Value of an Education

Posted on March 15, 2022 by Janis Arnold

The attached article is re-posted from Governor Mike Huckabee’s March 14, 2022 newsletter. Everything that Gov Huckabee writes is consistent with what I have learned during my over 30 years of involvement in the Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Puerto … Continue reading →

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ARD Meetings Aren’t Supposed to be Run by Lawyers

Posted on June 16, 2020 by Janis Arnold

12 THINGS TO PAY ATTENTION WHEN DEALING WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS “I’m retiring,” my friend said. “You aren’t old enough to retire,” I replied. “Yeah, I am. I’ve been a teacher in this district for nineteen years and I’ve never lied … Continue reading →

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Without a Paper Trail, We’re Toast!

Posted on June 3, 2020 by Janis Arnold

PARENTS, YOU MUST CREATE A PAPER TRAIL BEFORE YOU HIRE AN ADVOCATE, OTHERWISE YOU’RE JUST SPINNING YOUR WHEELS Lots of things that school districts get up to these days don’t pass the smell test but few of the actions taken … Continue reading →

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TEACHER, CAN YOU PLAY WITH ME?

Posted on April 18, 2020 by Janis Arnold

Today is April 18, 2020. I’m only marginally stir crazy as Gov. Abbot announced yesterday that Texas will soon reopen for business, although it is beyond infuriating that the DISTRICT is using the Corona virus as its latest reason to … Continue reading →

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I’m Almost About To READ!

Posted on June 18, 2018 by Janis Arnold

June 2018 Update This is one of those good news bad news stories. Aleczander completed third grade at Salem Sayers. That’s good news. For a second year now, instead of crying hysterically as he did during kindergarten and first grade … Continue reading →

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It’s Only Pretend Reading, but It’s a Giant Step in the Right Direction

Posted on March 4, 2018 by Janis Arnold

July 2016 In this video, Aleczander is reading a predictable pattern book. The book was given to him by Miss Shelley, a dyslexia teacher who was employed by Aleczander’s previous school to give him 12 1-1 lessons during the summer … Continue reading →

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Kids with Dyslexia Aren’t Stupid, Pass it On . . .

Posted on March 3, 2018 by Janis Arnold

Henry Winkler, author of 17 Here’s Hank books, uses personal life experiences as his literary inspiration for Hank Zipzer, a bright, creative, little boy who knows that, while he can’t read and write like other kids do, he isn’t stupid. … Continue reading →

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Did You Know That Henry Winkler Has Dyslexia?

Posted on March 2, 2018 by Janis Arnold

Just like The Fonz, Aleczander, age 8, has dyslexia. Aleczander also has dysgraphia and oral motor disfluency. The fact that Aleczander is a third grader at Salem Sayers Baptist Academy and no longer attends his public school can be summed … Continue reading →

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Finally An Educational Program That Conveys Meaningful Academic Benefit

Posted on February 21, 2018 by Janis Arnold

Kids like Aleczander need multi-sensory instruction utilizing Orton-Gillingham time tested methods in order to learn to read and write. In addition to being enrolled in a third grade classroom at a private school, Aleczander was able to attend an after school dyslexia program … Continue reading →

Posted in Learning Disabilities, Saving Aleczander | 2 Comments

9.1.17 Third Grade Begins

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Janis Arnold

  9.1.17          Third Grade Begins Aleczander, age 8,  has dyslexia, dysgraphia, and oral motor disfluency, something speech therapists call apraxia. He’s been struggling to learn to read, write and talk like other boys and girls all … Continue reading →

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