Dyslexia is an under-reported disability, an inheritable neurological condition that affects language acquisition, processing and decoding. Up to 20% of the U.S. population has learning disorders, and 80% of these people, many of them children, have varying degrees of reading disorders that qualify as dyslexia (National Institutes of Health estimate). Dyslexia is a disability in learning, not in intelligence, and afflicts girls and boys nearly equally. It is a lifelong condition. Although incurable, it can be managed successfully. Most importantly, with early detection and treatment, children with dyslexia can learn and succeed academically.

Children with dyslexia are typically highly creative and intuitive, and are excellent hands-on learners. Some of the world's most famous artists, innovators and leaders were and are dyslexic, including Leonardo daVinci, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Agatha Christie, William Hewlitt, Winston Churchill, Tom Cruise, Cher, Jay Leno, and Charles Schwab.

The curriculum used as the basis for tutoring and tutor training at all Children's Dyslexia Centers integrates principles of two of the leading Orton-Gillingham approaches. The Orton-Gillingham approach, developed in the 1920's, uses a sequential, multisensory phonetic approach. Thus, a variety of sensory data is used to help children understand the written word. Children are tutored one-on-one twice a week after regular school hours by certified Tutors and Trainees. This allows for the curriculum to be tailored to each individual child as necessary, and progress is made in small, readily quantifiable steps. Services provided by the Learning Centers equip children with the skills and the confidence they need to approach learning with eagerness and without fear.

The Children's Dyslexia Center Program offers free training for individuals who are interested in receiving initial certification as tutors in the Orton-Gillingham approach. Requirements for certification include 45 hours of classroom instruction and 100 hours of practicum work under supervision of qualified professionals, tutoring two children twice a week at a Learning Center.

The Learning Centers also provide training for advanced certification. Our affiliation with institutions of higher education enables professionals who train as tutors at our Centers to earn continuing education credits, and students to earn full course credits.

Students at the Children's Dyslexia Centers are tested periodically to measure progress in reading skills. Tests of reading nonsense words, reading real words, reading comprehension, and spelling real words are used to evaluate each students abilities and progress. Testing also contributes to the measurement of the overall program administered throughout the 15 States of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. For available statistics and success rates, click on the link below.

Learning Center Success Statistics

It costs approximately $5,000 to tutor one child for one year. Typically, children require an average of two years of tutoring. The studentís family is not charged for the tutoring service. A commitment is expected that parents make sure that the students come to the center twice each week after school for the duration of their childís program.

Each center has a budget including a center director, professional staff, supplies and office expenses. Tutor trainees are not paid but receive their training free of charge. Facilities meeting strict program requirements are provided by Scottish Rite Masonic organizations.

Together the Nashua and Seacoast Centers have a student enrollment of 65 to 70 students throughout the year. To support these NH centers, several fund raising activities are held throughout the year, including: Tony Pace events, Annual Golf Tournaments, Benefit Walks and more.

Volunteer

Board of Governors

• Members oversee the operation
  of the Learning Center


• Composed of Masons and non-Masons


• Assist at Learning Center fund raising activities
  such as the Walk or Golf Tournament

Contribute
The Children's Dyslexia Centers is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) # 04-3169620 charitable organization.

Your tax-exempt contribution can be designated to support a specific Children's Dyslexia Center, or a Learning Center where the need is greatest.

For information about making a donation, please call the Development Office at 1-781-465-3326 or 1-800-814-1432 ext. 3326

Or send a check directly, payable to: Children's Dyslexia Centers, Inc. at: The Children's Dyslexia Centers, 33 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA 02421, ATTN: Gardner C. (Cy) Sconyers