Timeline of Dyslexia

1877 - The term "word blindness"; is coined by German neurologist Adolf Kussamaul

1887 – German physician Rudolf Berlin refines our definition of reading problems, using the term "dyslexia"

1896 – Dr. W. Pringle Morgan writes in the British Medical Journal of a 14 year old who seemed to have word blindness from birth.

1905 – The first U.S. report of childhood reading difficulties is published by Cleveland ophthalmologist Dr. W.E. Bruner.

1963 – Samuel A. Kirk is the first person to use the term "learning disability"; at a conference in Chicago.

1969 – Congress passes the Children with Specific Learning Disabilities Act, which is included in the Education of the Handicapped Act of 1970 (PL 91-230).

1975 – The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142), which mandates a free, appropriate public education for all students.

1990 – The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) renames and changes PL 94-142.

1997 – IDEA is reauthorized. Regular education teachers are included in the IEP process, students have more access to the general curriculum and are included in state-wide assessments,

2004 – IDEA is reauthorized again. School personnel now have more authority in special education placement decisions