For Rosette Roth, a resident of Forest Hills, the fight for dyslexia awareness is personal. 

“Dyslexia affects up to one in five people,” Rosette says. “It’s often misunderstood, and many families feel isolated when they first learn their child has a reading difficulty. Decoding Dyslexia is here to give parents a voice and a community to lean on.” As a co-founder of Decoding Dyslexia PA (DDPA), Rosette has become a key figure in advocating for children with dyslexia. Her efforts aim to raise awareness, provide support for families, and drive legislative changes to enhance educational opportunities for dyslexic students. 

The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) defines dyslexia as a neurobiological condition marked by difficulties with word recognition, spelling, and decoding. It stems from a deficit in the phonological component of language, making it hard for affected individuals to process language, despite adequate intelligence and instruction. “Dyslexia isn’t something you outgrow,” Rosette emphasizes. “It’s a lifelong condition, but with proper support and interventions, individuals with dyslexia can thrive.” Dyslexia can affect academic progress, career opportunities, and self-esteem. 

Decoding Dyslexia started in New Jersey in 2011 as a grassroots movement. Parents united to advocate for better resources for dyslexic children. Inspired by this effort, Roth helped establish Decoding Dyslexia PA (DDPA), making it the second state chapter in what has now become a nationwide network. “Our goal is simple,” Rosette says. “Through our work and in collaboration with other local and national organizations, we aim to raise awareness about dyslexia, empower families, and inform policymakers about best practices to support students with dyslexia in public schools.” DDPA isn’t a business or educational institution but a network of parents, teachers, students and professionals sharing their experiences and resources. “We’re not experts, but we have lived through this journey. By sharing our knowledge, we hope to ease the path for the next family,” Rosette adds. 

Roth’s advocacy extends to policy changes. Pennsylvania has seen progress with the passage of Act 69, a pilot program for effective dyslexia interventions in public schools. “Act 69 was a huge step forward,” Rosette says. “It showed that policymakers are starting to take dyslexia seriously.” Recently, Senate Bill 801 was introduced, aiming to improve early literacy in Pennsylvania through a three-pronged approach: bolstering evidence-based reading curricula, universal screening of students within the first 30 days of school, and using screening data to implement intervention plans. This bill has received Senate support with a vote of 48-1.

“Legislation is key,” Rosette says. “Without it, schools won’t have the tools they need to properly support students with dyslexia.” Senate Bill 801 focuses on using evidence-based reading programs to give students the best chance at success. The bill seeks to address the startling fact that half of Pennsylvania’s fourth-grade students read below their grade level. It aims to identify struggling readers early and provide targeted interventions to prevent children from falling behind. RESOURCES AND SUPPORT THROUGH DDPA One of DDPA’s main goals is connecting families with resources to support their dyslexic children. The organization’s website offers tools on how to select a tutor, choose an educational advocate, and navigate special education processes. “Finding the right tutor can be a challenge,” Roth explains. “Our website helps parents navigate this process step by step, ensuring tutors are trained in evidence-based methods like Orton-Gillingham or Structured Literacy.” The website also provides guidance on selecting educational advocates—individuals who help parents understand their rights and secure necessary services in schools. “An advocate isn’t a lawyer,” Roth clarifies, “but they should have a strong understanding of both federal and state special education laws.” For families new to dyslexia, the DDPA website serves as a comprehensive resource, offering recommended reading, a video library, and legislative updates through Dyslegia, a tool for tracking dyslexia-related laws nationwide. 

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and Roth encourages everyone to participate in raising awareness about this often-overlooked condition. “Dyslexia is more common than people realize, yet it’s rarely talked about openly. That has to change,” Rosette says. Throughout October, DDPA will host events and share information to educate the public. Through Rosette’s advocacy, parents have found a supportive community, and the movement for better dyslexia education is gaining momentum both locally and nationally. “The more people understand dyslexia, the better we can support those affected by it. It’s not just about my child or your child. It’s about all children who deserve the opportunity to succeed, regardless of how they learn.” For more information, visit Decoding Dyslexia PA’s website and stay updated on the progress of Senate Bill 801 as it moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.