Dyslexia Mythbusting with Dr Devin Kearns

To mark Dyslexia Awareness Month, join Dyslexia Ireland, in collaboration with Right to Read Ireland, for a free discussion webinar on Dyslexia Mythbusting with Dr Devin Kearns. 

Title: Dyslexia Mythbusting

Description: Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences, but many widely held beliefs about it don't stand up to the scientific evidence. In this webinar, we'll discuss a range of common myths we still hear often, such as:

• Dyslexia is linked to IQ.
• Dyslexia is a vision-based problem.
• Phonics instruction isn't effective for dyslexic children.
• Dyslexic children are visual learners.
• A dyslexic child can't be taught to read and spell.

Drawing on current research, Dr Devin Kearns will explore what dyslexia actually involves, and what the evidence says works for teaching literacy. Whether you're a parent, educator or someone with dyslexia yourself, you'll come away with clear, practical information you can use and share after this discussion. 

There will be a Q&A session at the end. On the booking form you will have an opportunity to ask advance questions about myths you would like explored. We will try to cover the most common questions and themes.

Presenter: Devin M. Kearns, Ph.D. is Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Devin studies early reading including the cognitive and neurobiological basis of reading, science-based methods for improving reading skills, and multi-tiered support systems to better meet the needs of all students. He has published more than 70 papers in research journals like the Journal of Educational Psychology and teacher journals like The Reading Teacher and received funding from local and national agencies to support his research. Devin frequently visits schools nationwide to help them build better systems to maximize students’ reading success.

Moderators: Maria Jones, Dyslexia Ireland, and a representative from Right to Read Ireland.

Date: Thursday 22nd October 2026

Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Please note:

• This presention will be recorded (but not the Q&A session at the end) and shared with those who have registered.
• Dr Kearns will not be able to comment about individual programmes or the Irish education system - he will focus on what the research tells us about dyslexia and effective literacy intervention.