Sept 18, 2018, Portland (OR) Tribune: Parents clamor for more dyslexia support, recognition https://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/406472-303536-parents-clamor-for-more-dyslexia-support-recognition As new Oregon laws roll out this year on identifying young children with dyslexia, parents are frustrated that so little is being done… She is worried about continuing a generational cycle of this hereditary condition. … … Some studies have listed the percentage of students with reading difficulties as high as 20 percent. That could mean thousands of children statewide could be newly eligible for extra help. Another new Oregon law ensures that at least one person in a K-5 school has training on what dyslexia is. But Mixon, who's worked in educational advocacy, isn't convinced that it will result in much support for students…. In an attempt to equalize the response to dyslexia, Oregon passed those three new laws. One requires the screening that starts this year for children in kindergarten — or in first grade, if that's their first year at a public school. The second law mandates that at least one teacher in a K-5 school have six to 30 hours of training on dyslexia. Finally, teacher prep programs in Oregon are now required to teach teachers about dyslexia. Parent advocates, some of whom came out in force to a Sept. 4 Portland Public Schools board meeting, have a number of complaints that the new system is still flawed. "There's no plan in place with what to do with those kids once they're identified," Mixon said…. "It's hit and miss. Many teachers aren't trained," Deane said…. … Deane echoed the concern of many parents that schools will not actually notify parents of the results of the kindergarten screening. The law does not explicitly require them to. However, the Oregon Department of Education released guidance Aug. 30 that states close communication with families is always best practice and outlines what should go in a notification…. The 2013 graduate is "absolutely" glad that Portland children will be identified earlier. But she also worries about all the students, first grade and up, who still won't be. …
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Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.
Anne Dachel, Media editor, Age of Autism
http://www.ageofautism.com/media/
(John Dachel, Tech. assist.)
What will happen in another 4 years? How can we go on like this? This is a national (and international) problem of monumental proportions. We have an entire new class of children who cannot be accommodated by the system: many are manifestly neurologically impaired. Meanwhile, the government and the medical profession sleep on regardless.
John Stone,
UK media editor, Age of Autism
The generation of American children born after 1990 are arguably the sickest generation in the history of our country.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
It seemed to me that with rising autism prevalence, you’d also see rising autism costs to society, and it turns out, the costs are catastrophic.
They calculated that in 2015 autism cost the United States $268 billion and they projected that if autism continues at its current rate, we’re looking at one trillion dollars a year in autism costs by 2025, so within five years.
Toby Rogers, PhD, Political economist
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