Decoding Dyslexia Maryland

Where to Find Help

If you or someone you know struggles with reading, writing and fluency and you would like more information on next steps and how to get help, please email DecodingDyslexiaMD@gmail.com. You may also click the Parent Portal Tab and the Resources Tab to learn more about dyslexia from well respected experts in the field of dyslexia. The more you know the better able you will be to help yourself and/or your student/s.

Decoding Dyslexia Maryland

We are a grassroots movement driven by Maryland families concerned with the limited access to educational interventions for dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities in Maryland public schools.

Our Mission

To raise dyslexia awareness
To empower others to support struggling readers and students with dyslexia
To inform policy-makers on best practices to identify, educate and support students with dyslexia in Maryland public schools.

What is Dyslexia?

“Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological 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 growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.”

Adopted by the IDA Board of Directors, Nov. 12, 2002. This Definition is also used by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). Many state education codes, including New Jersey, Ohio and Utah, have adopted this definition. Maryland includes this definition in the Dyslexia Technical Assistance Bulletin. Learn more about how consensus was reached on this definition: Definition Consensus Project.