A Revolutionary Approach To Learning Disabilities

There’s a revolution taking place in understanding Learning Disabilities. With new neuroscientific findings, we see that an individual with dyslexia--a language based LD-- has a brain that works differently while reading. Educators at all levels are taking this new knowledge to use new assistive technologies to tailor content to the individual mind of the student. Now, a student with dyslexia and a student with aspraxia -- whose brain has problems planning to move the body parts (e.g., lips, jaw, tongue) needed for speech -- in the same classroom, can have their individual lessons optimized for their particular strengths and weaknesses.

Ben Powers is the headmaster of Eagle Hill-Southport, an independent day school in Connecticut for students with learning disabilities. Prior to joining the school in 2012, he served as headmaster of The Kildonan School. He is a passionate member of and advocate in the field of dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities and ADD/ADHD and is on the board of directors of Headstrong Nation and Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities.