WOW
Interesting tidbits and financial(!) info bits:
Dyslexia is extremely common. It affects 20% of the population and represents 80–90% of all those with learning disabilities. (The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity)
Students can be screened in kindergarten. In fact, it’s MA law to screen and diagnose. "Additionally, IDEA and Massachusetts law require public school districts to proactively identify and evaluate all students aged 3-21 who are suspected of having a disability (also known as Child Find).16 If a district suspects that a student has a disability based on the screening data, the district has an obligation to “diagnose and evaluate the needs of such children, propose a special education program to meet those needs, [and] provide or arrange for the provision of such special education program,” as applicable.17 The use of screening measures and/or tiered interventions may not be used to delay or deny the evaluation of a student suspected of having a disability. Core instruction and universal supports (Tier 1) and other tiered interventions should continue throughout the special education eligibility process.1”' P. 19
Dyslexia and intelligence are two completely different things. Reversing letters is NOT a hallmark of dyslexia.
Dyslexia is a medical condition under the DSM-5 (an internationally used medical manual). As a result:
Tuition for a language-based school may qualify for tax deductions. To be eligible to claim these deductions, total medical expenditures must exceed a certain % of adjusted gross income (AGI).
You can use FSA accounts to pay for dyslexia interventions with a Letter of Medical Necessity.
Students with dyslexia benefit from appropriate instruction and not additional time with inapproprate instruction. There is a lot of information out there on the potential negative consequences (as far as academic progress and mental health outcomes) of retaining children with dyslexia, also known as repeating grades.
Many insurance plans won't cover the academic components of a neuropsych eval citing that schools can do that role vs. outside providers. Connect with your insurance provider specifically to know what is and is not covered.
In 2018, a MA law passed to create screening procedures or protocols for all students.
Relevant to high school athletes taking concussion testing (often called ImPACT testing): Poor Stroop performances in 15-year-old dyslexic teenagers