Testimony Before the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
July 29, 2023

When a child struggles to read, the reason isn’t always obvious. Sometimes, even parents and teachers can’t quite pinpoint why . That’s why early literacy screeners, especially those that can identify dyslexia are so critical. In this episode of the Voices of Dyslexia podcast, Dr. Laura Cassidy of the Dyslexia Resource Center dives deep into how literacy screeners work, what they’re really assessing, and how parents and educators can use this information to change a child’s educational trajectory.

Reading out loud can be one of the most intimidating tasks for a dyslexic child—and one of the most avoided. But according to Dr. Laura Cassidy, Board Chair of the Dyslexia Resource Center and Louisiana Key Academy, it’s also one of the most important. In our most recent episode, Dr. Cassidy dives into why this practice, though often frustrating, plays a critical role in helping children with dyslexia improve their reading skills.

In this third and final episode of our interview series with Dr. Laura Cassidy and Drs. Sally and Bennett Shaywitz, we dive deep into the importance of proper dyslexia testing, the distinction between screening and diagnostic assessments, and why early identification can change the trajectory of a child’s life.