Dyslexia Schools In Connecticut [New Updates]
Looking for the Right Dyslexia-Friendly School in Mississippi? Here's What Matters Most
When picking a school for a child with dyslexia, it's important to go beyond just the name. The best dyslexia-friendly schools offer real support—like trained teachers, proven reading programs, and helpful technology.
In Connecticut, we looked closely at what each school offers. We talked to parents, teachers, and experts, and visited schools to see what really works. The schools we recommend have strong programs, caring staff, and a clear focus on helping students with dyslexia grow in confidence and learning.
We believe Connecticut families deserve that same level of support. This guide shares what to look for in a great dyslexia-friendly school, so you can feel confident in your decision.
Our goal is to help you find a place where your child will feel understood, supported, and ready to shine.
What is the Percentage of Dyslexia Amongst Students In Connecticut?
In Connecticut, scientific research indicates that approximately 20% of students have dyslexia. This estimate comes from the Connecticut Longitudinal Study led by Dr. Sally Shaywitz at Yale University, which assessed every student for dyslexia, revealing a much higher prevalence than school identification rates suggest .
Despite this, less than 1% of students in Connecticut are officially identified with dyslexia in schools. This significant gap is attributed to limited screening practices and a lack of structured literacy training among educators .
To address this issue, Connecticut enacted House Bill 6517 in 2021, establishing the Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities. This office aims to improve teacher training and ensure early identification and support for students with dyslexia .
In reality, while about 1 in 5 students in Connecticut may have dyslexia, the majority remain unidentified and unsupported within the current educational framework.
Sources: (Connecticut Senate Democrats, New Haven Independent) (CT Mirror) (Yale Dyslexia)
Legislation and Policies for Dyslexia In Connecticut
Connecticut has implemented several laws and policies to support students with dyslexia. Which includes:
Key Dyslexia Laws in Connecticut
- Public Act 14-39 (2014)
This law added “SLD/Dyslexia” as a primary disability category on Individualized Education Program (IEP) forms. It also mandated that teacher preparation programs include instruction on identifying and supporting students with dyslexia. - Public Act 15-97 (2015)
Established a designated dyslexia contact within the Department of Education to assist schools and families. It required at least 12 hours of dyslexia-specific instruction in teacher training and mandated reading assessments for students in kindergarten through grade 3 to identify those at risk for dyslexia. - Public Act 16-92 (2016)
Required that teachers seeking certain reading endorsements complete a program focused on diagnosing and remediating reading difficulties, including supervised practicum hours and instruction on evidence-based interventions for dyslexia. - Public Act 17-3 (2017)
Mandated that special education teachers complete a program of study in evidence-based structured literacy interventions for students with dyslexia, including supervised practicum hours.
Support Structures
- Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities (ODRD)
Established in 2021, the ODRD provides resources, training, and guidance to educators and families to support students with dyslexia. (CT.gov) - Tiered Intervention System
Connecticut employs a tiered system of interventions to assist students with academic challenges. If a student does not respond to these interventions, they may be referred for special education assessment, which includes evaluating for dyslexia. (Connecticut General Assembly)
What Type of School Is Best For a Dyslexic?
The ideal schools are the ones where students can learn without all that unnecessary stress weighing them down.
Plus, these schools are all about recognizing the unique strengths that come with dyslexia, like creativity and thinking big-picture.
If your kid has a special interest, whether it's engineering, chess, music, or anything else under the sun, these schools give them the time and space to chase their passions.
Forget about just hunting for "reading programs" right away because, believe it or not, dyslexic students often thrive when their reading lessons align with their interests.
Now, here's the deal: if your child isn't loving school and isn't coming home all pumped up about learning, it might be time to explore other options. And guess what? That's perfectly okay – even awesome.
You can take your child out of a place that doesn't fit, even if you don't have the next school lined up right away. It's a powerful message to your child that you're in their corner and ready to support them.
Let them take a breather, catch up on some sleep, and in the meantime, you can figure out the next steps together.
Looking for learning difference/dyslexia friendly schools? Here are some must ask questions to help you pick the right dyslexia friendly school for your child.
Before attending your meeting, do a bit of background research. The more you know about dyslexia, teacher education programs and intervention programs, the more targeted you can be with your questions and the better you will understand the answers.
Support Services for Students with Dyslexia in Connecticut
Connecticut offers a range of support services for students with dyslexia, focusing on early identification, specialized instruction, and family resources. Which Includes;
State-Level Support
Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities (ODRD): Established in 2021, the ODRD leads the implementation of Connecticut's dyslexia and structured literacy laws. It provides training, resources, and policy guidance to educators and families to support students with dyslexia and other reading disabilities. (CT.gov)
Legislation and Funding: Connecticut law mandates that teacher preparation programs include at least 12 hours of instruction on identifying and supporting students with dyslexia.
Additionally, the state has allocated funds to enhance special education services, including supplementary tutoring and reading instruction for students with dyslexia. (Connecticut General Assembly, Connecticut House Democrats)
Educator Training and Resources
State Education Resource Center (SERC): SERC offers professional learning opportunities, including webinars and courses on structured literacy and dyslexia. These resources are designed to help educators effectively support students with specific learning disabilities. (ctserc.org)
Family and Student Resources
Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC): CPAC provides information and support to families of children with disabilities, helping them navigate the educational system and advocate for appropriate services.(ctserc.org)
Decoding Dyslexia Connecticut: This grassroots organization raises awareness about dyslexia and advocates for policy changes to improve identification and support for students with dyslexia in public schools. (Decoding Dyslexia)
Community Engagement
Dyslexia Awareness Campaign: The Connecticut State Department of Education's ODRD partners with various agencies to promote dyslexia awareness through activities and training sessions. (CT.gov)
Best Dyslexia schools In Connecticut
- Eagle Hill School – Greenwich, CT (Grades 2–8)
Unique Quality: Offers daily one-on-one reading sessions using Orton-Gillingham methods. Class sizes are small, and instruction is personalized. The school also provides social-emotional learning programs.
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- The Southport School – Southport, CT (Grades K–8)
Unique Quality: Specializes in language-based learning differences, including dyslexia. Teachers are Orton-Gillingham certified and provide structured literacy programs tailored to each student.
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- Forman School – Litchfield, CT (Grades 9–12, Postgrad)
Unique Quality: Offers high school and postgraduate education for students with dyslexia. Programs include executive functioning coaching, assistive technology, and college counseling.
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- Winston Preparatory School – Norwalk, CT (Grades 4–12)
Unique Quality: Uses a unique one-to-one Focus Program to address each student’s individual learning profile, including support for dyslexia and executive functioning.
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- Intensive Education Academy – West Hartford, CT (Grades 2–12)
Unique Quality: Provides individualized learning programs in small classroom settings. Focuses on academic, emotional, and social growth with structured literacy interventions.
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- Cajal Academy – Fairfield, CT (Grades K–12)
Unique Quality: Designed for twice-exceptional students, offering a mix of small class sizes and therapeutic support. Focuses on both academic and emotional needs.
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- Easton Country Day School – Easton, CT (Preschool–Grade 12)
Unique Quality: Inclusive environment with support for students with dyslexia. Provides small class sizes, and access to speech-language and occupational therapy services.
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- FlexSchool – New Haven, CT (Grades 3–12)
Unique Quality: Serves gifted and twice-exceptional learners including dyslexic students. Offers flexible, customized learning that matches student interests and strengths.
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- Oak Hill School – Hartford, CT (Grades K–12)
Unique Quality: Provides comprehensive services with assistive tech, personalized support, and a focus on independence for students with learning differences like dyslexia.
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