It has been a fantastic few months for the International Dyslexia Association, Los Angeles Branch. We started the year with our annual membership appreciation event at Rosti Tuscan Kitchen. It was a lovely luncheon where everyone had the chance to share their goals and expectations for IDALA in this upcoming year. We initiated our new Board of Directors, whom I would like to extend a warm welcome and thank you to. Thank you for hitting the ground running and bringing your dedication and enthusiasm to the team; it is contagious!

In January we held a Parent Education event at Summit View School where Vice President Elizabeth Lutsky and I shared our experiences as individuals with dyslexia. Additionally, in January we held our first Examine the Research Study Group hosted by Elizabeth Lutsky. A group of about 20 professionals, adults with dyslexia, and parents came together to discuss a recent research article on the topic of reading fluency. The thought-provoking discussion left everyone excited for our next meeting, which we had in March. Once again the participation was superb!

On February 25th, we held our first official Board Meeting of the year, where the team discussed policies and procedures, and began planning several exciting events for this year! There was a true sense of partnership and pure excitement for all that is to come for our branch.

In March, IDALA participated in the first annual College Fair for Students with Learning Disabilities hosted by Summit View School, which was a huge success. It was a privilege to be part of something so important and unique.

In addition, this year we have had the chance to visit various schools to conduct our professional development program, Experience Dyslexia ®, created by IDA's Northern California Branch. The response to the simulation has been tremendous and we look forward to helping more parents and professionals gain a better understanding of what it feels like to have a language-based learning disability.

Please keep an eye out for e-mails regarding the exciting events and activities coming up throughout this year.  We hope you will join us on our extraordinary journey to make a difference for individuals with Dyslexia and their families.   

All the best,

 Lainie S. Donnell, M.A.

President, IDALA

Fiction: Dyslexia is a four-letter word.

Fact: It has eight.

To some that may mean it is twice as bad. For students with dyslexia and their teachers, it is neither bad nor something to deny. Dyslexia is a specific language-based learning disability. It refers to a variety of characteristics that result in people having difficulty in varying degrees with the language skills of reading, writing, spelling, and/or speaking.

Research is showing that dyslexia is a neurological-based condition and that the brain of the dyslexic develops and functions differently from other brains.  Not better, not worse, just differently.

Dyslexia can be modified with appropriate instruction and cherished as the students develop their unique talents and experience success in learning.

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