T.K. Martin Center hosts conference on dyslexia and related learning differences
Conatact:
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擳he T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability at Mississippi State and its IGNITE Dyslexia Clinic are hosting the university鈥檚 first Dyslexia and Related Learning Differences Conference next week.
Sponsored by the Brannan IGNITE Dyslexia Fund for Excellence and taking place at The Mill at 91传媒 Conference Center April 4-5, the event focuses on the background and definition of dyslexia, Mississippi dyslexia guidelines, and strategies for emotional, mathematics and technical support that can be utilized in traditional classrooms.
Open to elementary teachers, college and university instructors, speech pathologists, undergraduate education students, parents, family members and individuals with dyslexia, registration is $175 for professionals, $25 for parents and college/university students, and $150 for vendors. Advance registration is available at .
The event begins at 7:30 a.m. Thursday [April 4], and the conference concludes Friday afternoon [April 5]. Other sponsors include the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities and 91传媒鈥檚 College of Education.
CEUs are available for $20 through 91传媒鈥檚 Center for Continuing Education, and a link will be provided at the close of the conference for those wishing to receive credits.
A keynote address by Ryan Walker on Thursday morning will address some scientific discoveries regarding dyslexia. Walker is an associate professor in 91传媒鈥檚 Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Special Education. The conference also will include a student panel discussion on what it means to have dyslexia.
Dyslexia affects 20 percent of the general population and impacts approximately 8.5 million students across the U.S. Many students with dyslexia also have dyscalculia, dysgraphia, auditory processing difficulty and attention deficit difficulty.
During the academic school year, the IGNITE Dyslexia Clinic works with students to ensure that learners with reading difficulties are able to build a love of learning through reading and writing. Through exposure to learning strategies, reading therapy and assistive technology, these students gain foundations necessary for success. IGNITE also provides assessments to pinpoint strengths and needs of learners who have difficulty with reading.
鈥淲hen parents and educators understand dyslexia, these students are more likely to thrive within the traditional classroom. Our goal is to provide a greater awareness of not only dyslexia but all the additional learning differences that are often found with dyslexia,鈥 said Kathy Prater, T.K. Martin Center research associate.
鈥淲e hope to dispel some of the myths surrounding dyslexia and build well-rounded support systems for these students,鈥 Prater added. 鈥淲e also would like for this conference to raise awareness of how common these learning differences are and help educators, other professionals and parents feel better prepared to assist these students.鈥
For more information, contact Prater at 662-325-4557 or kprater@tkmartin.msstate.edu.
Established in 1903, 91传媒鈥檚 College of Education is home to six academic departments, one research unit and numerous service units. For more about the college, visit .
91传媒 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .