FAQ

Over the past ten years, we have grown our organization to reach a larger geographical area than just Grand Junction. We found a greater need for awareness and outreach support in outlying communities and have worked to be that resource. Our mission and vision to support families, educators, and individuals living with dyslexia hasn't changed. In order to accommodate that growth, we needed to better represent our organization with a new name and image. The official filing with the IRS establishing our nonprofit remains named AHA INC in honor of our roots.

Is dyslexia something affecting your child's learning? Aha! recommends that you begin to help your child by doing some research -- yes, research. 1. Begin the conversation at school. Talk to your child's teacher about your concerns and what interventions may be possible in the classroom. Ask what documentation is needed to ensure accommodations are receive in each class and for the next several years. Your child's teacher and school will have the information you need. Be persistent with finding this information. 2. Look through our Parent and Teacher Page for ideas on tutoring curriculums, IEP/504 accommodations, and more. Also, follow us on Facebook for discussions, ideas, and more. 3. Visit the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity's website: http://www.dyslexia.yale.edu/ 4. Visit the University of Michigan's Dyslexia Help website: http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/ 5. Watch the videos at: www.dys-add.com/dysvideo.html 6. Visit the Rocky Mountain Branch of the International Dyslexia Association - Rocky Mountain Branch of the IDA – Promoting Structured Literacy Through Research, Education & Advocacy (idarmb.org)

--To answer your question about dyslexia testing, you have a few options here in the Grand Valley. First, you will need to know what the end goal of the testing is: do you want to just know or confirm your child is dyslexic? If so, you may only need an educational assessment and not a medical diagnosis. Start by asking what your school requires for your child to receive accommodations in the classroom and what is required to get them help. From there, you can know what you need. -- You can consider an educational assessment. Some schools within the district will help with this process and conduct educational tests at the school. Start by discussing your concerns with the teacher and the SPED team or administration. We provide educational screening and consultation for dyslexia in a low-cost 2-hour appointment! The reports generated from these screenings and the consultation provide adequate documentation for most schools to then initiate a plan of support or additional testing! Call us for more information. -- Consider an educational assessment by specialists like those on our board. One of our board members is a certified dyslexia specialist. She can conduct a full educational evaluation on if your child shows dyslexic tendencies from an educational standpoint. This information is not a medical diagnosis but it can be used for 504 plans in the Valley. This process takes anywhere from 8-12 hours total (with meetings, assessment, and report) and usually costs $400-$600 and is not covered by insurance. Our board member isn’t the only person in the Valley who can do the diagnoses but she is a member of our board. We can recommend others if you want to call them for their price and background. Some psychologists in the area also do this but you want to find someone who is an expert at language-based learning disabilities. -- If you need a medical diagnosis, then there are only two options available that we recommend. There are additional providers regionally who offer psychological testing. Please contact us for recommendations on the best provider to fit your needs.

Yes! We are a registered 501(c)3 with the Internal Revenue Service and in good standing with the State of Colorado. All of the work and services done by our board of directors is volunteer. Donations received are strictly returned to the community in the form of scholarship. We are Gold Level member of Guidestar.

Yes! A few of our action plans are linked below. Please contact us for the most current information. Plan 2016-2017 Plan 2018-2019