Maks & Mila® November 2013 | Page 6

As many as 15 to 20 percent of students in the United States may have dyslexia according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and ONLY about 5 percent of them are recognized and receive the necessary assistance. Staggering numbers, especially when we realize the impact this can have on a dyslexic student's life*: it can severly affect a person’s self-image and after experiencing a great deal of stress due to academic problems, many students may become discouraged about continuing in school.

As I recently pointed out in the Huffington Post, experts contribute the fact that so many children don't receive the help they need, to a lack of training and awareness amongst teachers and schools. Like many others, I think we should make it a priorty to change this if we wish to unlock dyslexia.

Besides the amazing 'Unlocking Dyslexia' campaign from the International Dyslexia Association: there is another extraordinary movement that seeks to enter into conversations with school districts and policy makers to treat dyslexia as a priority: "Decoding Dyslexia".

Decoding Dyslexia

Decoding Dyslexia is a state-based grasssroot movement driven by families. Currently there are more than 20 chapters! Besides their concern and action directed to the limited access to educational interventions for learning disabilities, they also strive to raise awareness on dyslexia, to empower families to support their children and to improve resources for students with dyslexia. If you are a parent of a dyslexic child, I highly recommend you to contact them! Find out more in the video below!

The International Dyslexia Association started an amazing campaign that will provide all public elementary school in the United States with one Dyslexia Resource Kit. Every danated dollar represents 1 resource kit for 1 school!

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*The International Dyslexia Association just published a very interesting fact sheet about the connection between stress and dyslexia. Read it here!

Maks & Mila are very proud to have become thei first corporate sponsor! Read the Press Release!