October is officially marked as National Dyslexia Awareness Month. This creates an opportunity to shed light on the most common learning disability in the United States, one that affects millions of Americans every day. Dyslexia is not a measure of intelligence, but a unique way of how the brain processes language which ultimately presents challenges in reading and writing. This month is about raising awareness and advocating for the proper tools and resources needed to help those with dyslexia unlock their full potential. It is unfortunate that, as the most common learning disability, dyslexia remains woefully misunderstood and unnoticed. Because of this, the inability to provide better resources for educators and parents only continues to hold us back. By fostering a better understanding of dyslexia, we can create a more successful and inclusive environment for all learners.

 As the co-chair of the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus, I have been a proud advocate in the halls of Congress for science-based approaches to bolster support for those who experience learning disabilities due to dyslexia. But on a more personal level, as a former school board president and the husband of a teacher, I understand firsthand the importance of providing helpful resources for educators to assist those with dyslexia and all learning disabilities. Last year, I was proud to sponsor legislation, The 21st Century Dyslexia Act, which emphasizes the need for a more modern understanding of the definition of dyslexia. Instead of the more overly broad definition of dyslexia as a Specific Learning Disability (SLD), it would be included in the list of disabilities that are under the definition of a “child with disability.” Additionally, I recently introduced a Resolution recognizing October 2024 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month. This resolution was an important step in ensuring that educators and parents are aware of the prevalence of dyslexia and can give their students the learning resources they need. I am once again proud to have supported this resolution and am grateful to my colleagues from the House and the Senate who made this a bipartisan and bicameral effort. 

 As we continue through the month of October, it is important to understand that dedicating a month to dyslexia awareness is a noble cause, but it is only the first step. True change and progress will come from the continued search for improved resources and creating environments where people with dyslexia can succeed in learning. It’s time for dyslexia to no longer be a barrier to greater understanding and learning. My hope is that we can commit to finding the resources needed to support evidence-based policy not only in the month of October but throughout the year.