Decoding Dyslexia

4/5/16
RE AIR: 6/3/16
Producer: Amy Masters
Segment One:
Marquis Family
-Ethan Toubes-Marquis had issues with reading in 1st grade
-Mom, Melissa now has him working with tutor, Bonnie Haley
-No other updates
-Contact: 617-699-0021, MAMarquis@wellington.com
Noonan Family
-Annabelle is enrolled in the Carroll School still enrolled and transitioning to her local junior
high school (RJ Grey Junior High School in Acton) in the fall
-No other updates, Annabelle is about to be re-evaluated this summer
-Contact: 978-369-1569
Dr. Stephanie Gottwald
-No new updates
-Contact: Steph.Gottwald@tufts.edu
Bonnie Haley
-Ethans tutor
-No new updates
-Contact: haley_4@verizon.net
Old Chat: The Massachusetts Department of Education declined to go on camera for our show
but in a written statement said The majority of children are identified prior to failing to learn to
read. Massachusetts has the second highest rate of identification of students with disabilities in
the nation and while some students are identified after having an independent evaluation, the vast
majority are identified through the eligibility process in their local schools.
New Chat: Ethan Toubes-Marquis is now working with a tutor, Bonnie Haley. Annabelle will be
transitioning to her local junior high school in the fall.
The Massachusetts Department of Education declined to go on camera for our show but in a
written statement said The majority of children are identified prior to failing to learn to read.
Massachusetts has the second highest rate of identification of students with disabilities in the
nation and while some students are identified after having an independent evaluation, the vast
majority are identified through the eligibility process in their local schools.

Segment Two:
Dr. Nadine Gaab
-Conducting READ study five year program
-No new updates
-Contact: (857)-218-4629, gaablab@tch.harvard.edu
Mitzakis Family
-Zac still struggling in school because of He now has just finished his freshman year at the
Landmark School in Beverly, which is specifically for children with language based learning
disabilities like dyslexia
-Mom, Nicole, says the change of schools been academically life changing for him
-She is still working with Decoding Dyslexia as their Director of Operations
-The organization is continuing to work on getting the Dyslexia Legislation passed
-Contact: beecustom@verizon.net
Old Chat: Dr. Gaab (GAH-B) is also studying infants from 4-12 months old and says the brain
characteristics of dyslexia so the lack of the reading pathway in the brain shows up in MRIs
done on these infants. Also she says children of dyslexic parents have a 50% chance of having
dyslexia themselves.
New Chat: Nicole Mitzakis said in a written statement that putting Zac in a new learning
environment that accommodates to his disability at the Landmark School has been academically
life changing.
The organization, Decoding Dyslexia, is continuing to work on getting the Dyslexia Legislation
passed as and bring the neuroscience to educators, parents and Legislators.
Dr. Gaab (GAH-B) is also studying infants from 4-12 months old and says the brain
characteristics of dyslexia so the lack of the reading pathway in the brain shows up in MRIs
done on these infants. Also she says children of dyslexic parents have a 50% chance of having
dyslexia themselves.
Segment Three:
Duggan Family
-Mom, Nancy, advocates for Dyslexia Legislation with Decoding Dyslexia in MA and is eager to
see if something positive for the bill occurs June 3rd
-Julia is at Trinity College studying neuroscience UPDATE: Just graduated from Trinity with a
degree in Neuroscience and an Italian minor
-In addition, she won the Department Award in Neuroscience, was selected for the honors
society, Phi Beta Kappa, and at graduation received the Trustee Award from Trinity, the highest
award presented
-Contact: n.duggan@verizon.net

Decoding Dyslexia MA
-Massachusetts chapter has proposed Dyslexia Legislation and must make a decision June 3rd
whether to move on with it (day episode re-airs)
-While they were waiting on legislation: Some senators submitted a request for more funding for
a Literacy Program for children with dyslexia, but it was rejected.
-Contact: decodingdyslexiama@gmail.com
Cory Atkins
-No new updates
-Contact: 617-722-2015, cory.atkins@mahouse.gov
Old Chat: Last week the Massachusetts proposed Dyslexia Legislation filed was extended by
the Education Committee. That means they have until June 3rd to make recommendation on the
bill whether to report it out to continue forward in the legislative process or not. Parents with
Decoding Dyslexia are hopeful it will move on and become state law.
New Chat: Nancy Duggan reports that with just a few years of dyslexia specific intervention,
Julias future was completely changed. She not only graduated from Trinity College, but also
won the Department Award in Neuroscience and received the Trustee Award from Trinity.
Duggan continues to work with Decoding Dyslexia to the legislation passed as a state law. The
Education Committee must decide today if they want to move forward with the Dyslexia
Legislation.
Segment Four:
Dr. Roberto Olivardia
-No new updates
-Contact: 781-999-3000, roberto_olivardia@hms.harvard.edu
Melissa Feller
-instructor at MGH Institute
-Laura Mullen still enrolled in the Literacy and Language Certificate program? YES, shes
finishing up the program at the end of the summer
-The program is one of 17 in the country accredited by the International Dyslexia Association
-The school continues to have active research projects in the area of literacy
-Contact: 617-726-8231, mfeller@mghihp.edu
Old Chat: We asked the State Department of Education if multi-sensory reading methods are
used in Massachusetts schools. They told us all the methods used in Massachusetts schools are
evidence-based and schools typically use more than one evidence-based method, including
multi-sensory methods.

New Chat: According to Melissa Feller, Laura Mullen is still enrolled in the certificate program
and will be finishing at the end of the summer. Feller also reports that the Literacy and Language
Certificate program is one of 17 in the country accredited by the International Dyslexia
Association for meeting their knowledge and practice standards for teaching reading.
We asked the State Department of Education if multi-sensory reading methods are used in
Massachusetts schools. They told us all the methods used in Massachusetts schools are evidencebased and schools typically use more than one evidence-based method, including multi-sensory
methods.