Comments on: Discovering Dyslexia: The Elephant in the Room

By: Mommy Evolution

Mommy Evolution

That’s wonderful to hear. And I agree – our kids will figure out where they can shine with their own set of skills 🙂

By: Susan

Susan

My son was evaluated for and diagnosed with dyslexia when he was 10, and re-evaluated at 15. The neuropsychologist who did the more recent evaluation turned us on to Learning Ally (https://learningally.org/). It’s fabulous! In order to sign up all you need is someone who’s qualified to diagnose dyslexia submit that yes, your child has a learning disability, and with an annual fee you’ll have access to books that your child can read visually while a voice reads it to them as the words being read are highlighted. They even have textbooks like my son’s high school biology book. My son went from hating to read and write about what he’d read, to turning out short papers on the books he read. Having a reading tutor who is trained for dyslexic kids is key as well. If you can’t afford Learning Ally, Bookshare.org is free (a government sponsored site) and is similar.

By: Donna Weeks

Donna Weeks

My son was born in 1983. School did not help, my son struggled with reading. They just told him to call the word what ever he wanted to do. He did not do well in school until 10th grade when he ask a teacher aide to put him in a computer class. She did and he then went to Welding Classes when in high school and made A and B. Trevor went on to Underwater Welding School in California and graduated with honors. He excelled in Math and joined Pipe Fitters Union and put in shoots that are used in hospitals to pass medicine, etc, Your children will find a trade that they are interested or even get their master or doctor degree from college. Your child can get a person to read to him if he struggles. In Polk County, Florida they have a school for children that have dyslexia and they are taught skills to exceed and then placed in regular classes. Love you and your child.

By: Michelle

Michelle

I wish there was a programme that school teachers in preschool, grade 1 could attend to identify dyslexia, nearing age 10 , my son is finally diagnosed and we can only move forward from there.

By: Jennifer Hughes

Jennifer Hughes

In reply to Karen.

Good for you! I don’t know why teachers insist on ever using that phrase. It’s the worst!!!

I’m curious… what program do you use for reading his book aloud? We aren’t there yet but will be in a couple of years to try and get something added for him at school.

By: Karen

Karen

This sounds exactly like the scene at our house! Schools are little help. My kid has had an IEP for years. Yet last year his 7th grade teachers were still saying “if only he would try harder”. I still didn’t know much about dyslexia, although my son had gone through vision therapy, occupational therapy, and special ed. But by that time I was responding “he DOES try hard-much harder than the average kid!”

Last year I put in his IEP that he can use a computer to type any time he doesn’t want to handwrite, as he is a decent typist. This year his teacher is allowing Kindles for all of the kids. His will read his books aloud, as he does well in that format. The university his brother is attending has a great dyslexia program, with all textbooks in audio format. I just have to get him there!

By: Jennifer Hughes

Jennifer Hughes

In reply to Full Spectrum Mama. The more I learn about those neurological differences, the more I understand that it really does give them strengths as well. It doesn't change the struggle in school, but hopefully it also opens other doors later in life for our kids.

By: Full Spectrum Mama

Full Spectrum Mama

In my ripe old age I have come to think that the neurological differences of those with learning differences allow their minds other strengths and freedoms. Sounds like your son is already discovering that!!!!
Love,

By: Nell Regan Kartychok

Nell Regan Kartychok

I have dyslexia. I am an avid reader – when I have the time – ha! I struggled with reading, and my teachers struggled with me. I told them that what they were saying, how they were trying to teach me made no sense. Sounding out words was not the answer for me. It only made it more difficult. I was so determined to figure it out I brought my Dick and Jane books home and stared at the words on the page. I could recognize each letter so I started there. Then I figured it out. It was all about letter and word recognition. I used the letters, words, and pictures to decode the mystery known as reading. C-a-t = Cat, d-o-g = dog. I was so excited when I figured it out I taught my brother to read when he was three. By the time he was five he was reading the People’s Almanac front to back. Today he is a librarian. True story. Throw out phonics and start with remedial letter and word recognition. Dyslexia is not a disability. It is just a different way of processing information. People marvel that I can read those shirts that most people have to see in a mirror to decipher. It looks the same to me. Backwards, sideways, upside-down it is all just as easy to read. It just took me some time to learn how to use the way my brain works to my advantage. Most dyslexics are gifted. It sounds like your son is. I consider dyslexia a gift, and your son will too one day 😉

By: Jen Kehl

Jen Kehl

In reply to Krista. Thanks Krista! It really is great that we can homeschool. This year has gotten off to a great start!