Click here to view Fall 2005 Newsletter

 Membership in The International Dyslexia Association

- What does IDA do for us?

by Meg Porch, IDA Branch Council Executive Committee Vice-Chair

This was a question asked at a recent IDA branch board meeting.  It surprised those who were long time members, but seemed relevant after considering new members who might be less knowledgeable about the organization.

According to Finding the Answers published by The International Dyslexia Association, members essentially receive publications, an affiliation with the local branch, and discounts.  They encourage us to join with others to make a difference; to connect with others in our communities; to access an international network; and to continue a tradition.  In practical terms, what does all of that mean?

IDA’s peer-reviewed journal, the Annals of Dyslexia, provides those interested in quality dyslexia and literacy research with a rich source of information which eventually trickles down to the day-to-day management of persons with reading difficulties.  To more effectively provide services to these individuals, it is important to study the remediation process, educational intervention, as well as the neurocognitive basis for the problem.  A second publication, Perspectives, provides members with four theme-based issues each year.  The information here is practical, meaningful, and specific to a particular topic, e.g., Study and Organizational Skills; Improving Comprehension and Comprehension Instruction; Challenges in Learning and Teaching Mathematics; or Fluency: No Longer a Forgotten Goal in Reading Instruction.  Through these publications, we are networking with people around the world to study, understand, and treat persons with dyslexia and related learning abilities.  IDA representatives use this knowledge to affect changes in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and to assure fair educational opportunities through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Membership in a local branch accompanies IDA membership.  The branch’s excellent conferences, publications, newsletters, presentations and trainings   support IDA’s goal to inform.  There are forty-seven branches which make up IDA’s Branch Council.  Each branch president attends a meeting twice a year to participate in leadership training.  This includes everything from learning about audits to learning how to do a PowerPoint presentation with a provided outreach kit on multisensory structured language education.  As an IDA affiliate, every branch is eligible to receive mini-grants.  These special projects, funded by the Branch Council, might be to provide in-services and workshops throughout the branch’s regions; to donate books on dyslexia and learning disabilities to libraries; to begin a project to arm Head Start children with pre-reading skills; or to adopt a kindergarten class and provide screening for reading problems.  Most branches receive grants from private and public sources to fund scholarships for members to attend conferences and workshops.

There are substantial differences in national and local conference and workshop fees for members and non-members.  Although many will not attend a national conference outside of the local area, if a branch hosts a national conference, IDA shares 15% of their profit with the host branch.  Also, IDA distributes 27% of each branch’s new and rejoining member’s fee to the local branch.  Needless to say, (to paraphrase Antonio Matus in the Southwest Branch Chefs of Taos cookbook) this financial boost helps the branch build their confidence, which allows them to take more risks to provide services, which builds their confidence, which . . . Love those circles.  

At the root of all of these IDA and branch activities which impact thousands of people annually (conferences, publications, projects, scholarships, and trainings), are funds received through membership dues. There is strength in numbers.  The more members we have, the more we can do; the more members we have, the more we can do . . . yes, love those circles. 

It seems a small price to pay.

Top of Page

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Dear AABIDA Members,

Thank you for your tireless dedication and support of the dyslexic population.  Your membership to the International Dyslexia Association is vital for continuing research, legislation, and support of dyslexia.

I would also like to thank you for your support and attendance of the various 9 events that were hosted by the Austin Area Branch of the International Dyslexia Association during October 2006.  These events were in accordance with IDA’s proclamation of October as “Dyslexia Awareness Month”.  Thank you to the volunteers and speakers who dedicated their time and efforts in providing these events to the public.

The A AABIDA board coordinated two events during October with other dyslexia-related groups.  One group was the Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic – Texas Unit, and the other group was the Scottish Rite Learning Center .  We look forward to our continued symbiotic relationship with these wonderful organizations.  We appreciate their support of our goal of success for all dyslexics.

Thank you again to each of you for continuing to positively impact the lives of dyslexics. 

Sincerely,

Sharon McMichael

2006 AABIDA President

Top of Page

Please share your e-mail address!

As we increase our efficiency, we have moved to e-mail and electronic communication.  Our branch e-mail address is for distribution of information to our membership.  Please share your e-mail with the Austin Branch of the IDA at:

Austin Branch of the IDA

P.O. Box 92604

Austin , TX   78709-2605   

Top of Page

AABIDA’s ANNUAL DINNER and MEETING

on Saturday, January 27, 20076 at 5:30 P.M.
at the Old Pecan Street Café
310 E. 6th Street
(between Trinity and San Jacinto)
$25.00 per person (this includes a choice of one of the four entrees, tea, dessert, and gratuity.)
Please mail THIS attendance form along with your check to:

AABIDA Annual Dinner
P.O. Box 92604
Austin, TX 78709

Name: 
Address: 
City:
Zip:
Telephone #:
Fax #: 
Amount enclosed:
Name of others attending in your party:
E-mail address:
Confirmations will be e-mailed.  

Top of Page

“Dyslexia Awareness Month” October 2006

Events hosted by the Austin Area Branch of the International Dyslexia Association  

Thursday, October 5th from 6:15 P.M. to 7:45 P.M. (6:15-6:45 pizza, & presentation at 6:45)
“Parenting a Dyslexic” by Melody Kump
Georgetown H.S. 9th Grade Campus
9th Grade Center Gym
2295 Austin Ave.
Georgetown, TX 78626
Facilitator: Abbie Baker


Tuesday, October 10th from 6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.
“Playing Roles in Doing Well in Math” by Dr. Mo Yazdi
Eanes Elementary School
4101 Bee Cave Rd.
Austin, TX 78746
Facilitator: Susannah Willms


Thursday, October 12th from 6:30 P.M. to 7:30 :P.M.
“Perspectives on Dyslexia: Some Thoughts by a Parent and Professional” by Susan Hinton
Eanes Elementary School
4101 Bee Cave Rd.
Austin, TX 78746
Facilitator: Susannah Willms


Saturday, October 14th from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
Open House at Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic – Texas Unit
1314 W. 45th St.
Austin, TX 78756
Facilitator: Priscilla Bellamy & Sharon McMichael


Monday, October 16th at 5:30 P.M.
“Overview of Dyslexia” by Dena Crook
Texas State University, San Marcos Student Reading Association


Tuesday, October 17th from 8:30 A.M to 3:30 P.M.
3rd Annual Dyslexia Retreat for Hays CISD Parents
Performing Arts Center
979 Kohlers Krossing
Kyle, TX 78640
Please RSVP to Sharon Roberts at (512) 268-2141 ext. 6073


October, 21st from 8:30 A.M. to 12:20 P.M.
“Dyslexia A to Z” - a panel discussion.
Co-hosted by the Scottish Rite Learning Center & A.A.B.I.D.A.
The University of Texas Club
The Presidents Room
2108 Robert Dedman Dr.
Austin, TX 78712
Call the Scottish Rite Learning Center at (512) 472-1231 to register
COST: $100.00 (payable to SRLC).
Facilitator: Linda Gladden & Sharon McMichael


Tuesday, October 24th from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
“Help! My Child Can’t Read” by Tammy Berkman
Marble Falls Elementary
1909 Broadway
Marble Falls, TX 78654
Facilitator: Lorine Kuhn


October 26th from 7:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.
“Navigating Dyslexia” by Leander ISD Dyslexia Teachers
Leander ISD, Vista Ridge High School
200 S. Vista Ridge Blvd.
Cedar Park, TX 78613
Facilitator: Linda Dozier  

Top of Page

MEMBERS-ONLY Section of the IDA Web-site

Did you know that the IDA web-site has a separate area for members only?

You will need your member id # to enter the member only section of the national web-site at:  www.interdys.org

Top of Page

Definition of Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin.  It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities.  These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction.  Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.  

Adopted by the I.D.A. Board of Directors:  Nov. 12, 2002

Top of Page

Scottish Rite Learning Center - Calendar of Events

Jan. 18 - “Becoming an Effective Advocate for Your School Aged Child”
Presented by David Beinke and Steve Hamman.
This workshop will help equip parents to become an effective advocate for their children at school and in the classroom.

Feb. 24 – “Strategies for Success: Making Learning More Efficient for Students with Dyslexia”
Presented by Martha Sibley. 
This workshop explains the rationale for accommodations for students with dyslexia and expolores the need for alternate modalities.

March 6 – “Dealing with Dysgraphia”
Presented by Dilip J. Karnik, M.D.
Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder characterized by writing disabilities. Dr. Karnik will discuss remediation and accommodations needed for students with dysgraphia. 

April 21 –“Unlocking Literacy” 
Presented by Marcia K. Henry, Ph.D.
Educators will gain strategies for teaching decoding and spelling based on the origins of most English words. Dr. Henry will discuss effective strategies and activities to enhance fluency and vocabulary.

June 4 -15: Summer “FUN”damentals, 1st session, Language Learning Day with morning sessions for 5 to 7 year olds, and afternoon sessions for 7 to 13 year olds.

June 11 -29: Dyslexia Therapist Training, Introduction Class

July 16 - 20: Dyslexia Therapist Training, Advanced Class

July 23 - Aug. 3: Summer “FUN”damentals, 2nd session

Aug. 6 – 17: Summer “FUN”damentals, 3rd session

Call (512) 472-1231 for Information

Top of Page

International Dyslexia Association’s Conference Calendar

58th Annual Conference
October 31 – Nov. 3, 2007
Adam’s Mark Hotel
Dallas, TX

2008
October 29 – Nov. 1, 2008
Washington State & Convention Center
Seattle, WA

2009
November 11-14, 2009
Walt Disney’s Dolphin Hotel
Orlando, FL

2010
Date to be Announced
Phoenix Convention Center
Phoenix, AZ 

Top of Page

The International Dyslexia Association supports the efforts to provide dyslexic individuals with appropriate instruction and to identify these individuals at an early age.  The Association believes that teaching and learning is the best approach currently available for those affected by dyslexia.  The Association, however, does not endorse any specific program, speaker, or instructional materials, noting that there are a number of such which present the critical components of instruction as defined by the Task Force on Multisensory Teaching which works under the guidance of the The Association’s Teacher Education Issues Committee.

If you’d like to be more involved with the Austin Area Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, please leave us a voice message on our helpline at (512) 452-7658.

Call our volunteers for:

1. Membership application blanks and basic information packet
2. Teacher training information
3. Referral lists for state and local evaluation (testing) services