About Us

Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota is a 501(c)(3) non-profit grassroots organization. We strive to include diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at the center of our daily work. We commit to using these practices for our organization and our communities. Join us in embracing diversity, equity and inclusion for every person in every community.

Our Vision is for students to have equitable literacy instruction that meets their educational needs so they can reach their full potential. Our Mission is to raise dyslexia awareness, empower families to support their children, and improve resources for students with dyslexia in Minnesota’s educational environments until all can read. The following is how we achieve that!

Educate

our community and schools on the significance of literacy needs and provide opportunities to learn through regular programming, workshops, and 1:1 support.

Advocate

to shape systems change to create learning environments founded in the science of reading in which every child has access to the tools they need to succeed in reading at grade level.

Empower

parents and educators with information and resources to be part of a community approach centered around the child in supporting and meeting their needs with dyslexia and literacy struggles.

Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota is advocating for:

  1. A universal definition of dyslexia (accomplished in 2015 — MN State Statute 125A.01).
  2. Early screening for dyslexia (accomplished in 2020 and updated in 2023 — MN State Statute 120B.12).
  3. Evidence-based remediation programs for education students who show signs of dyslexia (partially accomplish as part of The READ Act). 
  4. Teacher training on dyslexia, warning signs, and accommodations (partially accomplished in 2021 for a small group of teacher and expanded in 2023 as part of The READ Act).

Check back to see our updated goals, there’s more work to do! 

Staff

M.J. Bauer

Executive Director

Kea Benke

Parters for Parents Manager

Board of Directors

Kimberly Carlsen

President

Heather Smythe

Treasurer

Kimberly Dumitrica

Secretary

Rachel Depa

Evelyn Haselmann

Wendy Lundsgaard

Laurie Berg

Rachel Petersen

Amy Robinson

Advisors

Elizabeth Adams, PhD, LP, ABPP-CN
, Neuropsychologist

Christian Salihi, MSL, SPHR, SHRM-CP, 
Human Resources Specialist

What is Dyslexia?

According to MN Statute 125A.01, subd 2: “Dyslexia” means a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate or fluent recognition of words and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

  • About 3-4% of the population has a reading disability that qualifies them for special education.
  • As many as 5–20% of the population have some symptom of dyslexia.

National Movement

The Decoding Dyslexia movement began in 2011 when twelve parents took the same train home from a learning disabilities luncheon and discovered they had the same struggles with the public school system. Now, there are chapters in all 50 states, 4 Canadian provinces, and counting.

Decoding Dyslexia national movement