Lawmakers are further recognizing Dyslexia in Tennessee, according to Sallie Marchant, the local mother of a 9-year old who has dyslexia. Marchant told WGNS in an email that her son was first placed in the Title Reading Program without her knowledge. It wasn’t until the following 2nd grade year that she learned of it. In fact, she was accused of not helping her son with homework, but that was not the case and it was evident that learning problems existed. Marchant confirmed her child had dyslexia and also confirmed her son has an I.Q. of 120! The mom is now getting involved to let others know help exist for children with dyslexia and that kids who have such a learning disability are intelligent.

A newly proposed bill that is referred to by supporters as “The Dyslexia is Real” bill include officially defining dyslexia in Tennessee using the definition officially adopted by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).

Dr. Jim Herman of the Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia stated, “This bill will assist educators in meeting the needs of all K-12 students and opens the door for targeted, multisensory interventions for students with dyslexia.”

While dyslexia legislation is only now being introduced in Tennessee, the dyslexia movement is a national movement.

Several states have already passed similar legislation including:

• New Jersey,
• Mississippi,
• Arkansas,
• Ohio