Don Deshler’s work with children with learning disabilities has made him the most “significant researcher in the United States,” one of his colleagues said.

That hard work and skill has earned him a little bit of national recognition as well. At a recent benefit dinner of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, Deshler, a Kansas University professor of special education, was given the Distinguished Education Achievement Award. Though the award has only been given three times, and is not given annually, Deshler downplayed the significance of his achievement.

“I’ve been around for a while. I think after a while they just start to recognize that,” he said.

But Rud Turnbull, a fellow professor in special education, said that in his time at KU, Deshler has helped build the department into the nationally known institution it is.

“Beginning more than 20 years ago, Don and his colleagues began doing research on teaching students with disabilities how to learn,” Turnbull said. “His research is so deep and so widely used.”

Deshler deflected the emphasis off of himself and onto the money that was raised at the benefit, which will go to the National Center for Learning Disabilities. The dinner, which was in the heart of New York City’s Times Square, took in about $2.2 million, nearly half of the center’s $5 million annual operating budget. Deshler is on the board of directors for the center.

“The important thing is some good dollars were raised,” Deshler said. “The NCLD has been one of the more influential voices” in making sure children with learning disabilities are given the opportunities they need.

In addition to Deshler, Arthur Ryan, chairman, CEO and president of Prudential Financial, and Clay Aiken, a former “American Idol” contestant, both were honored for their work to help children with learning disabilities.