Shining a light on dyslexia!
DenCoKID was proud to host the second annual lighting of the Denver City and County Building on October 27, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in honor of Dyslexia Awareness Month!
A special thanks to the community members, leaders, families and educators
who braved the chilly weather to help shine a light on dyslexia
with inspirational speakers, a kid-made sign rally, and lots of red glow sticks!
While Dyslexia Awareness Month is over, you can still help
shine a light on dyslexia all throughout the year!
The City of Denver Recognizes Dyslexia Awareness with a Proclamation!
A very special thanks to Denver City
Councilwomen Stacie Gilmore (district 11) and
Amanda Sawyer (district 5)
for presenting DenCoKID with an official dyslexia awareness proclamation!
Stay tuned for the proclamation and photos from the City Council meeting.
Be the host of an
Experience Dyslexia Simulation
for your group or organization.
This empathy-building simulation allows participants to experience some of the challenges and frustrations faced by people with attention and language-based learning differences. Participants are guided through six learning tasks commonly encountered in the classroom or workplace. These activities are followed by a group discussion, focussed on experiences shared and lessons learned.
*Note: Participating Colorado educators may receive a certificate worth 2 hours of continuing education credit for recertification.
“If you don’t walk in their shoes, you really don’t understand how to help them.”
— Maria, Special Educator
MORE THAN 800 PEOPLE
SPOKE UP FOR
FREE DYSLEXIA SCREENING FOR ALL!
...and DPS heard us!
Many of us wrote to the DPS board, made public comments, or signed the petition in favor of the dyslexia screening policy promulgated by Director Auon’tai Anderson. When the DPS board voted, they opted to make dyslexia screening an “Ends Policy.” That policy reads, in pertinent part:
All students, regardless of home language status, will be screened for dyslexia and other reading difficulties, and will be identified at an early age and begin receiving interventions prior to the completion of second grade to provide a solid foundation for learning. In addition, the district commits to screening new students entering the district.
This addition to DPS board policy is an affirmative step toward early identification of dyslexia for all students and would not have occurred without your efforts. But our work is not done. DenCoKID continues to dialogue with DPS to (1) determine how the district will make the screening a reality provided for in the policy, (2) advocate that the screening take place in kindergarten and first grade, and (3) ensure that the district attends to the needs of older students whose dyslexia was not identified and remediated in early elementary grades.
MISSION
DenCoKID builds our community's awareness of dyslexia, provides a web of support for the families and educators of students with dyslexia, and advocates for improved learning outcomes for all Denver kids.
LITERACY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!
ABOUT
DenCoKID is based in Denver, Colorado.
Our group was born out of a statewide organization called COKID, Colorado Kids Identified with Dyslexia.
We are a grassroots group of mostly families and educators dedicated to matching other families and educators, in Denver County, with supports for individuals with dyslexia; advocating for early identification and the most effective, school-based instruction for kids with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences in ALL Denver schools; and we seek to work collaboratively to increase awareness and educate the community about dyslexia and other language-based learning differences.
Whether you are a parent/guardian of a struggling learner or you are a teacher wondering how you can help,
DenCoKID is here for you.
Join us!
ADVOCACY & EQUITY
Advocating for school-based screening and early identification of dyslexia
Promoting the science of reading through structured literacy in all schools
Educating our community about current dyslexia research and learning opportunities
Collaborating with the Denver Public School District and other community partners
Supporting local, state, and federal policy and legislation
PARENT & FAMILY SUPPORT
Common signs of dyslexia at home
Ins-and-outs of an IEP and 504
Success stories and pitfalls
"Look fors" in school selection
Shared-resources for private evaluations and tutors
You're not alone! Join us for our monthly meetings or family-friendly events!
WELCOME EDUCATORS!
Red flags for dyslexia in the classroom
A guide to classroom resources and curricula based on the science of reading
Support in accessing dyslexia research and professional development
COMMUNITY AWARENESS
Did you know...
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 15% of the population has Dyslexia.
Children have a 50% chance of having dyslexia if one parent has it. And a 100% chance if both parents have it.
Dyslexia is a neurobiological difference in the way the brain processes language.
Individuals with dyslexia do not actually see words or letters backward.
According to the National Institute of Health, dyslexia is identifiable, with 92% accuracy, at ages 5 1/2 to 6 ½.
Dyslexia is the most common learning disability.
Reading failure is the most commonly shared characteristic of juvenile justice offenders.
As many as 75% of individuals in the criminal justice system have a learning disability.
Only 37% of teacher preparation programs adhere to principles most effective in dyslexia remediation.
Dyslexia does not equate to IQ or overall intelligence.
Famous dyslexics: Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Mohammad Ali, Richard Branson and Octavia Spencer.
CONTACT US
DenCoKID’s intent is to help families and educators in creating a web of support with others having similar experiences. This group operates independently of any outside service organization and is not intended to provide educational, medical, legal, or counseling service or advice.
720-222-4704
RESOURCES
DenCoKID is a community, organically formed, by people who have been touched by dyslexia. Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin which impacts individuals, families, schools, and communities in very different ways. As a group, we share our collective experiences and support each other through our journeys. There is a dizzying amount of information regarding, education centers, advocates, tutors, legal supports, and intervention, concerning dyslexia. Some of our favorite starting points to learn more are...
Colorado Department of Education Dyslexia Page
The Rocky Mountain Branch of the International Dyslexia Association
Additional information, compiled by DenCoKID
MY CHILD / STUDENT IS STRUGGLING
COULD IT BE DYSLEXIA?
I WANT TO LEARN MORE, ADVOCATE AND SUPPORT OTHERS
ADD TO MY TOOLKIT
Upcoming Events
Multiple DatesThu, Sep 12Meetings are typically via ZoomSep 12, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM MDTMeetings are typically via ZoomJoin DenCoKID monthly to discuss a variety of dyslexia-related topics.- Thu, Nov 14Meetings are typically via ZoomNov 14, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM MSTMeetings are typically via ZoomJoin DenCoKID monthly to discuss a variety of dyslexia-related topics.