Serpa named to commission on needs of children with dyslexia

Posted 4/30/15

Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) has been appointed to a special legislative commission to assess and make recommendations on the educational needs of children with …

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Serpa named to commission on needs of children with dyslexia

Posted

Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) has been appointed to a special legislative commission to assess and make recommendations on the educational needs of children with dyslexia and/or reading disabilities.

The committee, which convened its first meeting today for the purpose of organizing, was formed by a House resolution for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive study of the implications and consequences of dyslexia and to provide a comprehensive report with recommendations to the General Assembly on all aspects of providing education to these children.

“Dyslexia and other reading disabilities can have a devastating effect on young scholars,” said Serpa. “Not only does it make learning difficult, but it can have an extremely negative effect on self-image. Students with dyslexia often have low self-esteem in regards to their intelligence. And the stress that goes along with these difficulties can really discourage them when it comes to learning.”

According to The International Dyslexia Association, 15 to 20 percent of the population has a language-based learning disability and of the students with specific disabilities receiving special education services, 70 to 80 percent have deficits in reading. Dyslexia is the most common cause of reading, writing and spelling difficulties.

The ultimate goal of the commission is to help students suffering from these disabilities to obtain the necessary instruction, support, skills and resources to increase their success in school.

Rep. Eileen S. Naughton (D-Dist. 21, Warwick) is serving as chairwoman of the commission. Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick Cranston) and Rep. Patricia L. Morgan (R-Dist. 26, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) also serve on the commission.

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  • Justanidiot

    Vrey godo aedi! Oru kdis deen smeohthngi lkei hits ot hlpe hmet tuo.

    Thursday, April 30, 2015 Report this

  • sarena45

    I am thankful that Rep. Serpa has committed to helping close the Gap and hopefully stop the child abuse that has been happening as children like my son daily attend school with inappropriate educational tools to flounder around and fail year after year. I call this Educational Malpractice. I went to that 2012 Dyslexia Hearing and initial Resolution for the Study Commission which Rep, Eileen Naughton championed. I felt like I had a nouse around my neck and wasn't getting through to my child's educators. I then started talking and connecting with other parents. I found there were many like me and my son's situation was not so unique after all. The fragmented disjointed world of dyslexia in the public schools is a word that isn't even whispered by anyone. About a year ago I discovered a grassroots parents movement called Decoding Dyslexia, and we became the 34th state to join. I founded the RI branch and worked for a year waiting for 'them to come'. They did and we now have a President and full Board, Advisory Board and members. So, after 2.5 after this Study Commission was initially formed, the panel finally met this Tuesday. I am so elated and proud to have 2 of our DDRI members on the panel. Joanna Scocchi and Kari Kurto who are dedicated to raising awareness, and guide others to understand that the Blindfold's must come off in order to ensure those Dyslexic children who wave their White Flags…. will maybe now get the early intervention they need in order to be successful.

    Thursday, April 30, 2015 Report this