Many still falsely believe that dyslexics are slow learners or, even worse, are behavior “problems.” Here are some myths about dyslexia.
If you or someone you love has the gift of dyslexia, you’re aware that these highly accomplished individuals think, learn and process information differently than non-dyslexics.
So too, did Michael Faraday, Pierre Curie, Pablo Picasso, General George Patton and many many more in a diversity of fields.
It’s key, of course, that kids who’ve been diagnosed with dyslexia realize this as they struggle through day to day tasks that those of us non-dyslexics take for granted.
As the Mom of a very bright, articulate, literate, artistic, theatrical kid who thinks sooooo far out of the box,
I have found that many many people are still plagued by myths. And sadly, that there is still an extreme stigma attached to dyslexia. He faces it among his peers and even among family members.
What are some of the signs associated with dyslexia? My son exhibits ( ed) only about half of these as symptoms vary from individual to individual and day to day
- Trouble learning letters and sounds
- Difficulty learning to speak
- Difficulty organizing written and spoken language (expressive )
- Trouble memorizing number facts
- Difficulty reading quickly enough to comprehend
- Trouble persisting with and comprehending longer reading assignments
- Difficulty spelling
- Trouble learning a foreign language
Difficulty with math operationsMany still falsely believe that dyslexics are slow learners or, even worse, are behavior “problems.”Nothing could be farther from the truth. And in fact, dyslexia affects people of all intellectual backgrounds. AND dyslexic symptoms, though they are very hard to specifically diagnose, are exhibited by 1 in 7 people.
Many still falsely believe that dyslexics are slow learners or, even worse, are behavior “problems.”Nothing could be farther from the truth. And in fact, dyslexia affects people of all intellectual backgrounds. AND dyslexic symptoms, though they are very hard to specifically diagnose, are exhibited by 1 in 7 people.
Way back when I was a reading teacher turned classroom teacher for a total of 13 years in city and suburban schools before becoming a Mommy….turned homeschooler. We’re now in our fourteenth year of home educating our kids with a 16 and a 14-year-old and every day I learn more and more about the learning process. I certainly don’t have all the answers, but through the years I’ve picked up much in the way or research. I’d love to share with you a little about “What dyslexia is not:”
Dyslexia is not the reading and writing of letters backward.
Writing letters backwards is something that many kids do when they’re first learning to write, whether they have dyslexia or not. Even among educators–including university faculty, special education teachers, and speech therapists—70 percent believe that reversing the order of letters is a defining feature of dyslexia. Rather, dyslexia is marked by, among other things, difficulties in the processing of written language.
Dyslexia does not occur in any one type of learner, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic background IQ level.
Rather, dyslexic symptoms manifest themselves in all people in every walk of life. In fact, conservative estimates suggest that 5 to 10 % of the entire population may be dyslexic.
Dyslexia is not accompanied by behavioral and attention issues.
Dyslexia is a severe reading problem of neurological origin. There are no physical, medical, or psychological conditions which account for the language processing deficits. Of course, if a dyslexic child is inattentive in class, I maintain that this is due to his inability to focus on the concept being taught due to the limitations placed on him because of the dyslexia. Sort of the chicken or the egg syndrome? However, you might find interesting that dyslexia is a registered disability under the Chronically Sick & Disabled Persons’ Act of 1970, Education Act of 1993 and the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995.
Dyslexia is not a condition which affects “slow learners.”
In fact, dyslexia indications are found within students of average and above average intelligence.
Dyslexia is not caused by “bad” or neglectful parenting.
No indeed…..The dyslexic person uses his right brain hemisphere instead of his left to process language, thus requiring the use of different neural pathways ( “detours” if you will ) than the non-dyslexic person. Additionally, dyslexia is thought to be genetic and occurring in families.
Dyslexia is not “curable.”
Dyslexia is not a disease. There is no “cure.” However, with appropriate and early diagnosis and suitable remediation, intervention, patience, love, encouragement, support from teachers, family and other individuals in roles of guidance, dyslexics can thrive in school and beyond, even achieving high levels of success.
Don’t forget that fellows such as Pierre Curie, Albert Einstein, Alexander Graham Bell and good ole Tom Jefferson were dyslexics……
I wouldn’t go so far as to say that my son wears his dyslexia as a badge of honor. BUT he is no longer as uncomfortable about it when situations arise and it is apparent to many that he has a language issue. He is in fact, thrilled to be in the company of many accomplished individuals throughout history. He’s also pretty happy to hear that Captain Jack Sparrow ( Johnny Depp) is dyslexic as well. But chagrined to find that his favorite Founding Father, John Adams, by all accounts, was not. Ah well. Can’t win ’em all.
For more info, please consult the International Dyslexia Association ( https://dyslexiaida.org/ )
Author Bio:Chris Capolino
A bit about me? Wife, mom, writer, teacher, traveler, party giver, encourager. I’m a freelance writer who contributes to a variety of digital and print media. And I love blogging all things family, faith, travel, homeschool, crafts at my home on the web, Campfires and Cleats
If you’d like to contact me, you can do that right here~ campfiresandcleats@gmail.com.
Book Your Room Online!