October was Dyslexia Awareness Month — and as these types of months go, it was a resounding success because so much happened at the local, state, and federal level — to improve the lives of the one in five who have dyslexia.
Dyslexia is defined as “trouble with words.” It’s a hereditary neurological difference in the brain that makes it difficult to sound out, decipher, spell and write words — and it frequently creates unexpected difficulties in school for otherwise intelligent, creative, and motivated students.
Locally, the Santa Barbara Unified School District's Board of Education reaffirmed its commitment to educating students with dyslexia by passing a resolution that “recognizes the many gifts and strengths associated with dyslexia, including entrepreneurship, creative thinking, and excellence in the arts and sports” and encourages “staff members, families, and the community to collaborate to raise awareness and understanding … to identify, treat, and prevent problems associated with dyslexia.”