Resources

Big organizations to start with

• Dyslexia Basics – International Dyslexia Association (IDA)
  A clear fact sheet on what dyslexia is, its signs, and how it's treated.
• IDA Dyslexia Handbook: What Every Family Should Know
  A free family guide to dyslexia, from signs to school rights.
• New to LD – Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA)
  Signs to watch for at each age, plus first steps if you're worried.
• Core Principles: What are Learning Disabilities? – LDA
  What LDs are and aren't, explained by experts.
• Types of Learning Disabilities – LDA
  Short descriptions of dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and other LDs.
• Resources – National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)
  NCLD's free guides for families on rights and school supports.
• Learning Disabilities & Disorders: What To Know – Cleveland Clinic
  A medical overview of what LDs are and how they're diagnosed.
• Dyslexia, Dysgraphia & Dyscalculia – HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics)
  Pediatricians explain all three LDs and how to help your child thrive.
• Learning Disabilities – NICHD (National Institutes of Health)
  The U.S. government's science-based overview of LDs.

Dyslexia

• Understanding Dyslexia – KidsHealth (for parents)
  Signs of dyslexia and how parents can help at home and school.
• Quick Guide to Dyslexia – Child Mind Institute
  A short parent guide to signs, diagnosis and treatment.
• Dyslexia – Understood
  Understood's full collection of dyslexia articles for families.
• Parents – Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity
  Yale's guidance for parents raising a child with dyslexia.

Dysgraphia

• Understanding Dysgraphia – IDA
  What dysgraphia is and the kinds of practice that improve handwriting and spelling.
• Dysgraphia – Cleveland Clinic
  Signs, causes and how dysgraphia is diagnosed.
• 8 expert tips on helping your child with dysgraphia – Understood
  Simple things to try at home, like "speak it first" before writing.
• Dysgraphia – LDA
  A short list of what dysgraphia can affect, from handwriting to planning.

Dyscalculia

• Dyscalculia – Cleveland Clinic
  Signs, causes and treatment for dyscalculia.
• How to Help Kids With Dyscalculia – Child Mind Institute
  Tools, accommodations and ways to ease math anxiety and build confidence.
• Dyscalculia – Understood
  Understood's full collection of dyscalculia articles for families.
• Dyscalculia – LDA
  A short list of what dyscalculia can affect, from mental math to telling time.

Feelings and mental health

• Learning Disabilities and Depression – Child Mind Institute
  How LDs can affect how kids feel about themselves, and how to help.
• The Critical Role of Mental Health Services for Individuals with LD – NCLD
  Why mental health support matters for people with LDs.

IEPs, 504 plans and your rights

• The difference between IEPs and 504 plans – Understood
  A simple chart comparing the two kinds of school plans.
• What is an IEP? – Understood
  What goes into an IEP and who gets one.
• What is a 504 plan? – Understood
  How a 504 plan gives students accommodations at school.
• What is IDEA? – Understood
  The main U.S. special education law, explained simply.
• The difference between learning disorder and learning disability – Understood
  Why doctors and schools use different words.
• Parental Rights under IDEA – Center for Parent Information and Resources
  Your rights as a parent in special education.
• The Short-and-Sweet IEP Overview – Center for Parent Information and Resources
  A quick walk-through of the whole IEP process.
• Topic: IEP and 504 planning – PACER Center
  A national parent center's guides to IEPs and 504 plans.
• IEPs – Wrightslaw
  Detailed articles and the law about IEPs, for parents who want to dig deep.
• Section 504 and ADA – Wrightslaw
  Detailed articles about 504 plans and disability rights.
• My Child Makes Good Grades: Does He Still Need Special Education? – Wrightslaw
  Explains that a child doesn't have to be failing to get help.
• Supports, Modifications, and Accommodations for Students – Center for Parent Information and Resources
  The difference between accommodations and modifications, with examples.

Getting an evaluation

• 6 steps to request a free school evaluation – Understood
  How to ask your school, in writing, to test your child for free.
• Sample letters for requesting evaluations – Understood
  Letter templates you can copy for each step of the evaluation process.
• The school evaluation process: What to expect – Understood
  What happens after you ask for an evaluation.
• Evaluation rights: What you need to know – Understood
  Your rights during a school evaluation.
• Evaluating School-Aged Children for Disability – Center for Parent Information and Resources
  A full guide to how schools evaluate children.
• Dyslexia Assessment: What Is It and How Can It Help? – IDA
  What a dyslexia evaluation includes and why it helps.

Help in Hawaiʻi

• LDAH – Leadership in Disabilities & Achievement of Hawaiʻi
  Hawaiʻi's parent center for families of children with disabilities, with free help on IEPs, rights and advocacy.
• HIDA – Hawaiʻi Branch of the International Dyslexia Association
  Hawaiʻi's dyslexia group, with local events and support for families and teachers.
• HIDA – Testing, Tutoring, Coaching and Training list
  HIDA's list of people in Hawaiʻi who test and tutor for dyslexia. (Private testing and tutoring cost money.)
• HIDA – Resources
  More dyslexia tools and information collected by HIDA.
• What is Special Education – Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
  How special education works in Hawaiʻi public schools. It's free for eligible students ages 3–21.
• Does my child need Special Education services? (Child Find) – Hawaiʻi DOE
  How to ask your Hawaiʻi school to evaluate your child.
• Section 504 – Hawaiʻi DOE
  How 504 plans and family rights work in Hawaiʻi schools.
• Parent Rights – Hawaiʻi DOE
  Your special education rights in Hawaiʻi, including the Procedural Safeguards notice.
• Special Education Directory – Hawaiʻi DOE
  Who to call about special education in your area.
• Dispute Resolution – Hawaiʻi DOE
  What to do if you and the school disagree.
• SPIN – Special Parent Information Network
  Free Hawaiʻi information and support for parents of children with disabilities.
• Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center
  Free legal help in Hawaiʻi for people with disabilities, including school issues.
• SEAC – Special Education Advisory Council
  The Hawaiʻi council that advises the state on special education; families can share their views.
• Mediation Center of the Pacific
  Free mediation to help Hawaiʻi families and schools settle special education disagreements.
• PIER – Pacific Inclusive Education Resources (University of Hawaiʻi)
  A Hawaiʻi hub of programs and resources for students with disabilities and their families.
• Act 242 (2026): Hawaiʻi's dyslexia screening law (PDF)
  The new state law. Starting in 2028–29, it requires dyslexia-sensitive screening in Hawaiʻi public schools.
• Find Your Parent Center – Center for Parent Information and Resources
  Finds the free federally funded parent center for your state (LDAH serves Hawaiʻi).

Listen and learn

• The LDA Podcast
  Free episodes for parents on evaluations, IEPs, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyslexia and more.
• Let's Talk Learning Disabilities Podcast
  Conversations with experts and families about dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and ADHD.
• Podcasts – Understood
  Understood's free podcasts for families.