A Joint Resolution designating October of each year as "Dyslexia Awareness Month" in New Jersey and supplementing Title 36 of the Revised Statutes.

Whereas, Dyslexia is a learning disability that can hinder a person's ability to read, write, spell, and sometimes speak; and

Whereas, Dyslexia is the most common learning disability in children and persists throughout life with 10 percent of the population or one out of every 10 people in the United States suffering from dyslexia; and

Whereas, Dyslexia affected some of the world's most famous artists, innovators and leaders, including Thomas Edison who began his career as an inventor in Newark, New Jersey and opened the first industrial research lab in Menlo Park, New Jersey; and Woodrow Wilson who attended the College of New Jersey, now known as Princeton University, served as the President of Princeton University, then as the Governor of New Jersey and was the 28th President of the United States; and

Whereas, Dyslexia is identifiable with over 90 percent certainty in children ages five and one-half to six and one-half; and

Whereas, Children with dyslexia who are identified as dyslexic and provided with effective reading instruction in kindergarten and first grade, will have significantly fewer problems learning to read at grade-level than children who are not identified as dyslexic or provided help until third grade or later; and

Whereas, Children with untreated dyslexia suffer devastating personal consequences as it is the primary reason teenagers drop out of school, is a contributing factor to juvenile delinquency, and can lead to adults unable to achieve at their fullest capacity; and

Whereas, Proper diagnosis, early and appropriate intervention and support from family, teachers and friends will greatly increase a child's academic success and self-esteem, however it is never too late for adults with dyslexia to learn to read, process and express information more efficiently; and

Whereas, October is National Dyslexia Awareness Month, reminding students and their parents that difficulties encountered in living with dyslexia can be overcome with early intervention and can lead to successes in adulthood; and

Whereas, During the month of October conferences are held around the United States promoting awareness, research, and early identification of dyslexia; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. October of each year is designated as "Dyslexia Awareness Month" in New Jersey.

2. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution designates October of each year as "Dyslexia Awareness Month" in New Jersey. According to the United States National Institute of Health, dyslexia is a learning disability that can hinder a person's ability to read, write, spell, and sometimes speak. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability in children and persists throughout life with 10 percent of the population or one out of every 10 people in the United States suffering from dyslexia.

Children with dyslexia who are identified as dyslexic and provided with effective reading instruction in kindergarten and first grade, will have significantly fewer problems learning to read at grade level than children who are not identified as dyslexic or provided help until third grade or after. Proper diagnosis, early and appropriate treatment and support from family, teacher and friends will greatly increase a child's academic success and self-esteem; however it is never too late for adults with dyslexia to learn to read, process, and express information more efficiently.

October is National Dyslexia Awareness Month, reminding students and their parents that living with dyslexia can be tackled with early intervention. Each year during the month of October, conferences are held around the United States promoting awareness, research, and early identification of dyslexia.