News & Events
Upcoming talks and workshops, plus recent features, publications, and writing from Left Side Strong.
Featured · New Publication
MaryKate DeSantis, Charles Hulme, Margaret J. Snowling, & Danielle Thompson · The Reading League Journal, September/October 2026, pp. 49–57
The article argues that oral language is the next critical step for the science of reading. It introduces the Reading Is Language model as a developmental framework that places oral language at the center of literacy, reviews evidence that language difficulties are prevalent, systematically missed by current screening practices, and responsive to well-designed intervention — and presents school-level data showing that students who meet word-reading benchmarks can still carry hidden language vulnerabilities.
Available in the September/October 2026 issue of The Reading League Journal.
Read the article (PDF) → Find the issue at The Reading League →Upcoming Events
Webinars, workshops, and conference sessions on the science of reading and language.
Wednesday, Sept 16, 2026 · 6:30–7:15 pm ET · Online · $19.99
Which words merit the most instruction? A 45-minute live session on the decision that comes before the vocabulary lesson — choosing the small number of words worth real instructional time in an upcoming unit or text, and what to do with them once you have chosen. Built for K–12 teachers, coaches, interventionists, and SLPs. Takeaway resources provided.
Full details & registration →Sept 30 – Oct 2, 2026 · Hilton Chicago, IL
MaryKate joins the 10th annual Reading League Conference — three days of evidence-aligned learning across foundational skills, comprehension, multilingual learners, and intervention. The program opens with Adam Kronk’s keynote “The Dignity of Learning in the Era of AI” and closes with Sonia Cabell on “Content-Rich Classroom Conversations That Build Language Comprehension.”
View full agenda →Thursday, Oct 8, 2026 · 6:00–7:00 pm ET · Online
MaryKate presents the October session of a three-part fall series hosted by Parallel and Sprout Labs, built for SLPs, school psychologists, special educators, and social workers. The full series runs Sept 10, Oct 8, and Nov 5 — registration is through Parallel and Sprout Labs.
Wednesday, Oct 14, 2026 · Registration open now
In partnership with The Rose Institute. Registration is open through The Rose Institute’s learning portal.
Register →Thursday, Oct 15, 2026 · 8:00 pm ET · Online · Free
In recognition of International DLD Awareness Day, MaryKate presents a session on what DLD is, how it overlaps with and differs from dyslexia, and what it looks like in the classroom — with observable signs across speaking, listening, reading, and writing that help educators recognize when a student’s difficulties may extend beyond dyslexia.
Register with IMSE →Wednesday, Oct 21, 2026 · 8:00 pm ET · Online · Free
MaryKate joins Dr. Brennan Chandler, dyslexia researcher at Georgia State University, to clarify the distinct and overlapping features of DLD and dyslexia — how difficulties appear across oral language, reading, spelling, and writing, what to look for in student data, and what co-occurrence means for assessment, identification, and coordinated instruction.
Register with IMSE →Nov 12 – 14, 2026 · IDA 2026 Annual Reading, Literacy & Learning Conference (DyslexiaCon) · Hyatt Regency Rio, Las Vegas, NV
MaryKate presents at the International Dyslexia Association’s annual conference on why the science of reading has to reach past the classroom door — and what genuine, sustained partnership with families looks like in practice.
Conference details →Nov 19 – 21, 2026 · ASHA Convention · Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN
A presentation on putting oral language at the center of MTSS to strengthen literacy outcomes across the tiers.
Convention details →Want Left Side Strong at your event or district? Get in touch →
In the News & Recent Highlights
Recent invited talks, media, and writing from Left Side Strong.
When Language and Literacy Difficulties Co-Occur: Understanding DLD and Dyslexia (with Dr. Brennan Chandler)
IMSE National Webinar · Oct 21, 2026
Beyond Dyslexia: Recognizing Developmental Language Disorder in the Classroom
IMSE National Webinar · Oct 15, 2026 · International DLD Awareness Day
Implementing Inclusive Instruction Across Tiers
North Dakota Science of Reading Literacy Summit · Bismarck, ND
Creating Strong Readers Through Oral Language & the Dyslexia–DLD Connection
Alaska Science of Reading Symposium · Anchorage, AK
Significantly Improve Reading Outcomes Through Systematic Oral Language Instruction
Michigan Educators Association Conference
Reading Is Language: Closing the Oral Language Gap to Unlock Literacy for All Students (with C. Hulme, M. J. Snowling, & D. Thompson)
The Reading League Journal, September/October 2026, pp. 49–57
DLD and Dyslexia: The Connection Schools Are Missing
IMSE Journal
If Reading Isn’t the Starting Point, What Is? Reframing Literacy Through Language
IMSE Journal
Language Comprehension Series (with C. Hulme)
Science of Reading Podcast with Amplify