Bennett and Sally Shaywitz to speak on reading and dyslexia

March 2, 2006

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — The UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute will host Bennett and Sally Shaywitz, professors of pediatrics at Yale University, on Wednesday, March 8 at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute, 2825 50th St., Sacramento, as speakers in its fourth annual Distinguished Lecturer Series. The Shaywitzes will present two lectures: a technical presentation at 4 p.m. and a community-interest lecture at 6 p.m.

During the technical presentation, Bennett Shaywitz will discuss evidence from brain imaging studies that identifies the neural pathways associated with reading and demonstrates their plasticity. During the community-interest lecture, the Shaywitzes will give a joint presentation focusing on the extraordinary progress made in understanding the nature of reading and dyslexia and resulting clinical practices for overcoming dyslexia. Both presentations are free and open to the public; no reservations are needed.

The Shaywitzes are world experts on reading and dyslexia. Bennett Shaywitz is a pioneer in the application of functional brain imaging to the study of reading and dyslexia in children and adults. Sally Shaywitz has devoted her career to helping children and adults with dyslexia; her research provides the basis for understanding the disorder. Together, the Shaywitzes established and currently co-direct the Yale Center for the Study of Learning, Reading and Attention. They also originated a widely accepted model of dyslexia that emphasizes the critical thinking and creativity strengths seen in individuals who are dyslexic.

Bennett Shaywitz also serves as the chief of pediatric neurology at Yale. The author of over 300 scientific papers, he has received many honors for his contributions to understanding the basic neurobiology of reading and dyslexia, including membership in the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, the 2003 Distinguished Alumni Award from Washington University and 2005 Distinguished Lecturer for the New York University Medical Scientist Training Program.

Sally Shaywitz has authored over 200 scientific articles, chapters and books, including the widely acclaimed national bestseller, Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at any Level. She has received many honors for advancing the scientific understanding of reading and dyslexia, including membership in the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, an honorary doctor of science degree from Williams College, the Townsend Harris Medal of the City College of New York, the Achievement Award in Women's Health of the Society for the Advancement of Women's Health Research and the Distinguished Alumnus Award of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

The Shaywitz presentations are the sixth of nine offered through the M.I.N.D. Institute's 2005-06 lecturer series. Upcoming speakers are Jan Buitelaar, University Medical Center St. Radboud, Netherlands (Apr. 12); Charles Nelson, Harvard University (May 10); and Gary Mesibov, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (June 14). The Shaywitzes' visit is co-sponsored by the UC Davis School of Education and the M.I.N.D. Institute. The Distinguished Lecturer Series is funded in part by the SBC Foundation. For more information about this and future lectures, visit the M.I.N.D. Institute Web site at www.mindinstitute.org or call (916) 703-0280.

The UC Davis M.I.N.D. (Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute is a unique collaborative center for research into the causes and treatments of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, fragile X syndrome and learning disabilities. For further information, go to http://www.mindinstitute.org.