DuBard School for Language Disorders to Host 15th Annual Dyslexia Symposium
Tue, 01/25/2011 - 09:49am | By: Vanessa Molden
Statistics compiled by the National Assessment of Educational Progress indicate that 45 percent of Mississippi fourth-grade students lack the basic reading skills necessary for academic success.
In many cases, dyslexia is the primary contributor to reading deficiency. In an effort to provide a better understanding of dyslexia and other learning disorders, the DuBard School for Language Disorders at The University of Southern Mississippi will host the 15th Annual DuBard Symposium: Dyslexia and Related Disorders Feb. 3-4 at the Thad Cochran Center on the Hattiesburg campus.
Reading problems contribute to increased high school dropout rates, increased underemployment and unemployment and increased rates of incarceration. Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that makes it difficult to read, write and spell.
“Unfortunately, there is no cure for dyslexia, but with appropriate educational intervention, individuals with dyslexia can be successful in school and beyond,” said Missy Schraeder, professional development coordinator for the DuBard School. “Giving educators and families the information they need to help students with reading problems is the goal of the DuBard symposium.”
Continuing education units have been approved for speech-pathologists, educators, psychologists and school administrators who attend.
Two renowned keynote speakers will kick off the symposium each day. Suzanne Carter, vice president of program development for the Neuhaus Education Center in Houston, Texas will discuss activities and strategies that develop oral language and improve reading comprehension. Georgann Mire, an educational consultant from Baton Rouge, La., will discuss motivational strategies as well as accommodations that can be used to help children with learning disabilities.
Other topics will include:
- Reading and the brain; understanding and helping students with reading difficulties
- National standards for teaching students with dyslexia
- How to prepare for college transitions
The International Association Method Task Force and the Southern Miss Office of Professional Development and Educational Outreach are also serving as partners in the symposium.
For more information or to register, call 601.266.4186.