- Background

- Services

• Annual Conference
• Scholarships
• Video and Audio Library
• Newsletter
• Tutor/Diagnostic Material
• Multisensory Instruction
• A Brief History of the Southwest Branch

- New! Video: CREATIVE BRAINS: Gifted, Talented, and Dyslexic

Video: Company of Linguistic Leaders

Founded in 1949 as a nonprofit organization, The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) was established to continue Dr. Samuel T. Orton's work in the study, prevention, and treatment of the specific language disability known as dyslexia. Formerly the Orton Dyslexia Society, IDA now has 42 branches in the United States, plus four international affiliates (Brazil, the Philippines, Czech Republic, and Israel).

The Southwest Branch was founded in 1985, and today encompasses New Mexico and the El Paso area. In keeping with the goals of the national organization, the Southwest Branch works to enhance the public’s perception and understanding of dyslexia and related language/learning disabilities.

The Southwest Branch provides the following services:

ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Each February, the SWIDA conference attracts over 1,000 people (educational professionals, parents, students, physicians, etc.) who come to learn about dyslexia; some are newcomers in search of answers, others come to be informed about the latest research and teaching techniques. In the past, researchers such as Albert M. Galaburda, Gordon Sherman, Drake Duane, Glenn Rosen have joined the ranks of veteran educators such as Jane Fell Greene, Priscilla Vail, and Richard LaVoie.

Annual SCHOLARSHIPS

NEW!

Lois Rothschild Memorial Scholarhip
SWIDA will award an annual scholarhip of up to $1,000 to a college bound high school senior who is diagnosed with Dyslexia or a Specific Learning Disability.

SWIDA awards one $2000 scholarship to a student with dyslexia who has completed at least one semester of college in good standing.
SWIDA also awards two $1000 scholarships to students with dyslexia who are currently enrolled in an accredited career-technical program.

Educators who wish to pursue a multisensory training of three days or more may apply for a financial aid scholarship of $250.
Contact SWIDA by e-mail info@southwestida.com for applications and deadlines.

VIDEO AND AUDIO LIBRARY
Videotapes on dyslexia and related subjects are available for viewing. For more information, please click Lending Library.

NEWSLETTER
A tri-annual publication, NEWSwida, provides members with information about current local and national conferences, publications, teacher training, and general information about dyslexia.

TUTOR/DIAGNOSTIC REFERRAL
A directory of professionals available for private evaluations and multisensory structured language therapy is a valuable resource. The names from this directory are given as a free public service. The Branch does not specifically endorse any tutor or evaluator. Referrals may be obtained by calling the Branch at 505-255-8234.

MULTISENSORY INSTRUCTION
Each year SWIDA sponsors workshops in some core area, featuring instructors who use multisensory instruction techniques which have proven effective in helping students with dyslexia and other related learning differences. In addition, the branch sponsors public awareness events several times a year, often at the request of an outside agency, such as a university class, a parent group, a literacy center, or a library. For a list of coming events, please click EVENTS.

Our first video entry to be accepted by the 2005 Santa Fe Film Festival!

Please click on the image below to view the video
"A beautiful and powerful documentary, clearly one of the best films ever made in this field" Thomas C. West Author: In The Mind's Eye Thinking Like Einstein Now available on DVD! Click here to purchase your copy today!
"This documentary is a grand slam homerun!" M. Bradley Rodgers, Jr Headmaster, The Gow School
"We made this film for every school teacher in America!" Lois Rothschild Producer Tony Carlson Director
Full-length DVD available for purchase through the Shop SWIDA page

Creativity and dyslexia: a symbiosis for success

Literacy is a natural and easy process for some but for many with dyslexia, reading and writing are formidable and seemingly, impossible to master. This documentary displays the personal recollections and insights of ten accomplished people with dyslexia and what seemed to be a serious impairment that led to the development of their own special talents.

Each weaves a story with memories of difficult moments of failure that eventually evolved into a life of success and of the transition from focusing on weaknesses to becoming aware of strengths. These are inspiring tales of courage, painting eloquent word pictures of how using one's own creativity and talents can overcome what seems to be a certain road to defeat. It is a presentation that inspires and motivates us all, particularly those of us with dyslexia.

Bruce Porch, Ph. D. Emeritus Professor Speech and Hearing Sciences and Neurology
University of New Mexico.

Company of Linguistic Leaders

Full-length DVD available for purchase through the Shop SWIDA page

*Please click on the image to view the video

Company of Linguistic Leaders:

The Technical Aspects of the Language Meet the Theater
 
Are you working with young dyslexic students?
Do you need some ideas?

This DVD provides some innovative ideas for teaching the technical concepts of the language through dramatic play.
 
The Company of Linguistic Leaders is a troupe of students who perform the concepts of the language.

This DVD is the documentary of a troupe who performed at a SWIDA conference in 2004.

Take a look. You might want to form your own troupe with your language students.

A Brief History of the Southwest Branch

On May 9, 1984, the first meeting of the unofficial New Mexico Branch of The Orton Dyslexia Society met, and a steering committee was formed that included Sandra Dillon, Patricia Tomlan, and Betty Lansdowne. A second meeting was held on September 15, 1984 at Sandra Dillon's home and plans were made to become an official branch of The Orton Dyslexia Society. Approximately twenty-five people attended that meeting, and officers were elected. A bylaws committee was formed, and Southern Arizona and West Texas joined our membership in the spring of 1985. In January, 1985, we officially became the New Mexico Branch-in-Formation of the Orton Dyslexia Society. During that first year, the branch had six officers, six members of the Board of Directors, and 49 members. The first branch conference was held in March of 1986 at the Marriott Hotel in Albuquerque. The Curtis Blake Foundation funded it, and 101 people attended.

Over the two decades that followed, the branch has expanded its membership and its outreach. Today the Southwest Branch of The International Dyslexia Association serves New Mexico and West Texas, and has almost 300 members. Close to 1000 people attend our two-day conferences. We are able to provide at least two multisensory workshops each year for teachers and parents of dyslexic students. And our newsletter, now called NEWSwida, has grown from a one-page mimeographed sheet to a 20+ page magazine. The latest editions are also available by e-mail as e-NEWSwida.

As we begin our third decade we strive to achieve three main goals:

• To increase SWIDA's visibility in the region so that the general public and the professional sector have a better understanding of what dyslexia is and of what dyslexic learners need in order to succeed in school and beyond.
• To expand the availability of appropriate services for dyslexic children in SWIDAs region.
• To increase the financial resources of SWIDA.

For information on IDA events throughout the nation,
please contact www.interdys.org