UHV spring education symposium to share techniques for teaching dyslexic students
As a clinical instructor at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Dee Dee Cain educates college students about the science behind teaching reading and how to help struggling learners be successful in the classroom.
But her work in the field extends much further. She also is a dyslexia therapist, the parent of a dyslexic child and an advocate for research-based interventions to help struggling learners.
Cain will speak about these topics April 7 at the University of Houston-Victoria School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development spring symposium. Her presentation, “Dyslexia: We Can Do This,” will be from 6-7:15 p.m. in the Kay and Ron Walker Auditorium inside UHV University North, 3007 N. Ben Wilson St. The event is free and open to the public.
“Ms. Cain is not just a professional in the field, she also knows firsthand the struggles parents deal with,” said Fred Litton, dean of the UHV School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development. “As a practitioner, she has developed teaching techniques that work.”
Dyslexia is a neurologically-based disorder that interferes with the acquisition and processing of language. It varies in degrees of severity, and symptoms can include difficulty in reading, writing and spelling.
Cain has worked in education for 26 years, including serving as a speech language pathologist and a special education teacher. Her research about dyslexia has uncovered information about indicators, assessments and strategies.
“She relates well to teachers,” Litton said. “I would encourage any teacher who has struggling readers – even if they haven’t been diagnosed as dyslexic – to attend. They will learn a lot.”
Cain is an active member of Decoding Dyslexia and the co-founder of the Arkansas Dyslexia Support Group. She also is active in the International Dyslexia Association and knowledgeable about how universities can be accredited by that organization, Litton said.
“Having more nationally accredited programs at UHV is a long-range goal, and Ms. Cain, while she is here, will meet with our literacy faculty members to discuss the steps to become accredited,” Litton said.
The UHV School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development offers a symposium every spring and fall. The events are a free public service the school offers to help educate the community about topics of interest.