Press Release

CHILDREN'S DYSLEXIA CENTER OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
PO Box 638, 8280 State Route 69, Oriskany, New York 13424

WHAT IS IT? A second Children's Dyslexia Center established by Scottish Rite Masons in New York State for the purpose of providing free after-school services for children who have learning difficulties due to dyslexia. The state’s other Children's Dyslexia Center is located in Rochester. The Valleys of Syracuse and Utica established the Children's Dyslexia Center of Central New York. These Valleys are part of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Free Masons

WHAT DOES IT DO? It provides one-on-one instruction, using the Orton-Gillingham multi-sensory techniques, two times a week after school during the academic year, as well as a six-week summer program. The center offers free training for Certification in Orton-Gillingham to qualified applicants.

OFFERING SERVICES FREE OF CHARGE
     Dyslexia is estimated to affect some 15% of our population which includes more than 2 million school-age children in the United States. Although these children typically have average or above-average intelligence, their Dyslexia can create difficulties not only with reading, writing, and spelling but also with listening, thinking, talking, and arithmetic. These academic problems can lead to emotional and self-esteem problems throughout their lives. With early diagnosis and appropriate intervention, these children can learn - and can enjoy learning - at their own age level.
     Programs to treat Dyslexia have been rare. Most communities have little or no funding to support the facilities and staffing needed to properly address this disability. In creating the Children's Dyslexia Centers, it has been our mission to provide professional treatment - free of charge - to children with significant difficulties with reading and writing. Services are made available to children on a first-come, first-served basis. We are also committed to increasing public awareness of Dyslexia as well as improving the standards of care through research and education. Each year a class of Tutor-Scholars is trained, free of charge, in the Orton-Gillingham based method of tutoring these children. Upon successful completion of the course they receive certification through IMSLEC (International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council).

What is Orton-Gillingham Multi-sensory Instruction?
     In Orton-Gillingham lessons, the teacher uses the auditory, visual, and kinesthetic pathways of the student in order to enhance memory and learning. Rules and concepts of the language are taught and each lesson builds upon the previous lesson. The lessons are systematic and cumulative. Each lesson is based on what the child knows. New sounds and concepts are learned piece by piece through the direct instruction of a specially trained tutor or teacher. Previously learned material is always reviewed. The purpose of the instruction is to provide the student with a structure of the language that allows him/her to become an independent reader and writer.

WHY IS IT FREE? In 1994 the Scottish Rite, a non-profit fraternal organization, established an Endowment Fund to be used for the creation of Children's Dyslexia Centers throughout its 15-state jurisdiction. The programs continue to exist through private, community and corporate donors. Donors to Children's Dyslexia Center of Central New York can designate how they want their gifts to be used. The Children's Dyslexia Center of Central New York is exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service and all contributions are tax deductible. Organizations and corporations can fund one child for a year with a Sponsor-A-Child Donation of $5000.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

Call the Center at: (315) 736-0574

E-Mail the Center at: reception@cnyclc.org

Visit our Website at: www.cnyclc.org

Phone: 315-736-0576 •Fax: 315-736-0575 • Email: reception@cnyclc.org