CONFERENCE INFORMATION

The November conference of the International Dyslexia Association in San Diego, California included many valuable conference sessions.. Dr. Jeffrey Gilber stated that for every behavior studied there is genetic difference, that learning is genetically moderated,and that dyslexia may be caused by genetic and possibly non-genetic factors as well.. Chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 15, and 18 may indicate dyslexia. Those who have the disability tend to have more allergies and auto immune diseases. While it is a familial disability, not everyone in the family may manifest the characteristics of dyslexia. Further, although individuals with dyslexia process visual and auditory information differently, this does not preclude their potential for giftedness.

Jean Foss gave a brilliant presentation on the morphology of language, and the uses of previses and roots. There are about 100 such units of language that affect 70,000 words in the English language. Harley Tomey encouraged those interested in assisting dyslexics to contact their legislators and share experiences in order to influence legislation. DAvid Pitre and Sue LIttle presented worthwhile suggestions for preparing students with learningt difference for College English by familiarizing them with language components and methods to write superior essays. Arlene Sonday gave an indepth presentation on phonics instruction (please see the previous issue of Vissions on Learning Difference).Dr. Susan Vogel and Sid Wolinsky gave a highly informativew presentation on the national level of high stakes testing for high school assisments, and that this presents an enormous challenge for students with learning differences.

At the Maryland Branch of the International Association meeting May, Dr. Guinever Eden stated that dyslexia has a wide ranging influence on the population. For instance, 50% of juvenile delinquents have undetected learning differences, 74% of third grade students who struggle at that level still have language learning impariments in high school. There is a 40% concordance with relatives. Dr. Lynn Flowers related that adults with dyslexia tend to have biological variations and persistence of deficits..

Sally Shaywitz, the author of Overcoming Dyslexia,, showed fascinating brain scans of the patterns for reading development.

Upcoming conference schedules:

AHEAD
Annual conference at the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort, Miami Beach, Florida, July 13-17, 2004.
http://www.ahead.org

IDA
55th Anual Conference to be held at the Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA November 3-6, 2004
http://www.interdys.org/servlet/compose?section_id=7&page_id=205


NYBIDA
34th Annual Conference to be held at the New York Marriott Marquis, Times Square, New York, NY, Mar 14, 2005 - Mar14, 2005.
http://www.interdys.org/servlet/viewbranch?branch_id=25%20


NADE
29th Annual Conference: Learning and Teaching, Above and Beyond to be held in Albuquerque, NM, March 9-13, 2005.
http://planet.tvi.edu/nade2005/