Hey parents, did you know that starting fall 2025, California schools will be giving early reading screenings to kids in kindergarten through 2nd grade? If you’re wondering, What is this screener for? Will it be used to diagnose a learning disability? Is this a dyslexia screener?! — you’re in the right place.
This screener will actually be used to help spot reading challenges early so your child can get the right support sooner. (And no, this isn’t a dyslexia screener. But early identification and support can make a big difference — especially for kids with dyslexia.) Learn what these new K-2 reading screeners could mean for your child here!
And speaking of dyslexia (and other learning disabilities)…if your child struggles with spelling, reading, writing, or math, chances are you’re struggling too, trying to find the right support while battling frustrating misconceptions, like kids being labeled “lazy” or made to feel “not as smart as the other kids.” It can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Our resources can help you get your child the supports they need, including assessments, IEP goals, accommodations, AT, and more.
In this newsletter:
📱 Top tech, apps, & accommodations for specific learning disabilities
⚠️ Undivided Updates: Special education funding
🎧 New podcast episode: Specific Learning Disabilities 101
👨👩👧👦 8/26 office hours: Self-Determination
🎤 Undivided Conversations: Reading with Dyslexia + Reading Screeners Explained
Specific learning disabilities: start here
The term “specific learning disability” covers a wide range of learning challenges, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, auditory processing disorder, language processing disorder, nonverbal learning disabilities, and visual perceptual/visual motor disabilities. Learn about them all and how to get all the school supports your child needs in our article on specific learning disabilities.
On the go? Tune into our bite-sized, AI-powered podcast episode 21: “Specific Learning Disabilities 101”
4 ways to support kids with learning disabilities
→ Sample IEP and 504 accommodations for dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and more.
→ From pencil grips to high-tech apps and devices, here are the best tech and tools for specific learning disabilities.
→ Executive functioning is tied to many learning disabilities — here’s how to support your child’s skills at home and in school.
→ When school struggles affect mental health — here are five simple ways to practice and share self-care as a family.
⚠️ This week in Undivided Updates ⚠️
What’s going on with special education funding?→ On July 4, 2025, Congress finalized HR.1, a major budget bill that lets lawmakers make changes to taxes and spending over the next decade to balance the federal budget. But that’s not the end of the story. Congress is now turning to the annual discretionary budget, which isn’t covered by HR.1 and includes key funding for special education. The proposed budget could bring big changes to special education — including moving IDEA funding entirely to the states, with no separate national funding stream.
Find out more→ There’s a lot going on, and it can be tough to keep up, so we’ve broken it all down in one place. Check out our article to see what’s at stake for kids with disabilities in the proposed budget and how families can take action.
One of our parent members told us, “Undivided has given me back time — instead of constantly researching and searching for answers or advocating, I am spending time with and caring for my child.”
FREE virtual event: RSVP now → Support that eases the back-to-school stress! Join us on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. for a FREE virtual event to hear from Undivided CEO Seth Besse and Navigator Onyx Moore about how Undivided can help you coordinate the back-to-school transition and work with your school team. Plus, get an exclusive first look at Undivided’s IEP Assistant — a tool designed to take the guesswork out of IEPs! Register for free here to get the event link and a full replay if you can’t make it to our live event.
Join us for expert office hours→ Whether your child is already in the Self-Determination Program (SDP) or you’re curious about how to transition from traditional Regional Center services to SDP, we’re here to help you get answers to all your questions! Join us for expert office hours on Wednesday, August 6, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PT with Undivided’s Self-Determination Consultant Iris Barker to ask your questions on Zoom. If you’re not an Undivided member yet, get started here to join us for office hours every week.
Upcoming Undivided Conversations: Tune into our Facebook page to watch!
- Saturday, July 26 at 10:00 a.m. PT. Reading with Dyslexia. Tune in as we revisit Stanford Special Education Professor Chris Lemons and Education Advocate Cherie Dorreen dive into practical ways to support students with dyslexia in reading.
- Sunday, July 267at 10:00 a.m. PT. Reading Screeners Explained: Why They Matter. Rachel Hurd from Decoding Dyslexia CA and Kristen Wright, director of the California Center for Inclusive College, explain how reading screeners can identify challenges early and how early literacy support is essential for all students – especially those with disabilities.
.png){kind=icon}
How are specific learning disabilities identified? Learn about one approach in this video on our YouTube channel→
All month long, we’ve been reflecting on disability pride. Hear from an Undivided community member what disability pride means to them on our Instagram→
Our new disability book club has officially begun! See what the first book is and join the conversation in our private Facebook group→
We’re following legislation updates and court cases that impact children with disabilities and their families. Stay informed when you connect with Undivided on LinkedIn→
