One in Every Ten

As a parent have you been asking yourself any of the following questions: Why is reading so hard for my child? Why can’t my child read like his/her siblings/peers? Why does my child not like school?

It is estimated that one in every ten people has Dyslexia, a specific language-based learning disability (Dyslexia Research Institute). Dyslexia is neurological in origin and defined as an unexpected difficulty in reading for an individual who has the intelligence, motivation, and sufficient exposure to reading instruction, yet evidences difficulty retrieving and using the sounds of language fluently. This weakness in reading is often surrounded by a “sea of strengths” in higher level cognitive processes such as comprehension and reasoning. Dyslexics as a group often demonstrate amazing creativity, deep empathy, a thirst for knowledge and strong critical thinking skills. Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson Series says it best-

“Dyslexic kids are creative, ‘outside-the-box’ thinkers. They have to be, because they don’t always see or solve problems the same way other kids do. In school, unfortunately, they are sometimes written off as lazy, unmotivated, or lacking ability. They aren’t. By making Percy dyslexic was my way of honoring the potential of all the kids I’ve known who have dyslexia. It’s not a bad thing to be different. Sometimes, it’s the mark of being very, very talented.”

Early detection, individual interventions, and accommodations as well as a supportive school environment are crucial for minimizing the development of a large, often persistent achievement gap. The most effective intervention focuses on the whole child so that the dyslexic not only learns to read but also develops self-awareness of who they are and how to use their individual strengths to develop a sense of empowerment rather than a sense of helplessness.

What can parents do?

1. Read and talk about books with your child every day, because reading aloud develops vocabulary and comprehension. Offer audio books for independent practice, because a dyslexic’s reading level is much lower than their education or vocabulary level.

2. Provide individualized, specialized tutoring for your child such as the Orton-

Gillingham Approach, because it uses multi-sensory, systematic, and explicit methods to help rebuild the phonological loop and enhance reading and writing fluency.

3. Explore topics with your child ahead of time by watching videos or visualizing

concepts, because your child will then have a stronger foundation for understanding subject content and participating in class discussions.

4. Support your child’s areas of interest outside of school, because extracurricular opportunities will help build self-confidence.

5. Be strong and continue to assist your child in unlocking the “wonder of their

potential.” Acknowledge your child’s effort, because specific praise inspires your child to keep working even if the payoff isn’t immediate.

"Dyslexia: A Hidden Disability," produced by the Kennedy/Marshall Company, is an excellent documentary on adults and children who have dyslexia and the doctors and educators who are working to make a difference in their lives. It features interviews with Steven Spielberg, CharlesSchwab, Whoopi Goldberg, Sally Shaywitz, and Craig Watkinson.