Fostering Success
I believe all dyslexic people who work hard and are given the right help should be able to learn to read and spell at the very least to a level where they can get by. Most of us who suffer from Dyslexia will never be brilliant at reading, spelling, grammar but there is a lot of help in the form of the latest computer technology - spell checkers, grammar checkers, speech programs etc. Many Dyslexic's are gifted in one particular area and it is this that needs to be pursued.
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A Matter of Confidence
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If you are a parent/teacher
of a Dyslexic child it is of paramount importance that the child's confidence is built up through positive encouragement. Never allow your frustration/despair to destroy a child's confidence with careless or ill judged comments. It is all to easy to distroy a childs self esteem and then it can take a very long time (may be a lifetime) for the child/adult's self esteem to be rebuilt.
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If you suffer from Dyslexia
it is important that you do not let anybody undermine you just because you have a few problems - after all nobody is perfect. I find that explaining to people about Dyslexia is often the best way to create mutual understanding and respect. Besides there are some advantages for instance we often think much more quickly than 'normal' people. Also many of us have brilliant design and spatial skills. Dyslexics need to find what they enjoy and what they are good at and then build on the positive things.
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Coping with Dyslexia
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Get official diagnosis as soon as possible (through the education authority). By the age of 7 or 8 years old it should be clear if a child is significantly dyslexic rather than a 'late starter'.
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Find a way of receiving the special educational help designed for Dyslexia - this is usually the quickest way for a Dyslexic person to learn. It is never too late to start to overcome Dyslexic problems. (My parents were told when I was 11 years old it was too late for me to have any special teaching!! ...that is not true... as even adults can be significantly helped...)
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Do not give up trying to learn to read and write. Although it is hard work eventually all the effort should result in success.
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Join a local society and get the latest news and advice for your area.
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Do not be afraid to ask people (do be careful who you choose!) to repeat verbal instructions, write things down for you, read things to you, etc. Also do not try and hide your Dyslexia to the point where, for example, you do not even dare use an Electronic Spell Checker.
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It is worth finding out whether the Dyslexia is being complicated by another condition these commonly include Scotopic Sensitivity, Dyspraxia, Asperser's Syndrome, ADD.
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Practical Tips - things which help me
(Not all of these may relate to everybody suffering from Dyslexia)
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Being taught in a logical way to read and spell using phonetics (and learning the exceptions to the rules of spelling).
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Extra time in exams to read and then write down the answers.
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Realising that I suffered from Scotopic Sensitivity
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Learning memory tricks so that I can remember orders or lists. For instance, to recall the order of the compass directions east and west I image a compass and the first letters of each of the points North, South, East & West. I then know that West must be on the left side and East on the right side because taking the first letter of east and west it must read WE. I remember left and right by the small scares on my hands.
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Repeating verbal instructions back to the person which gave them. This helps me make sure that I have properly understood and remembered all the facets of the instruction.
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I cannot block out extraneous noise therefore I need it to be fairly quiet when I am working.
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Sitting at the front of a class room helps because I am not so distracted by the people around me.
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Using a computer helps in so many ways:-
| * | it is easier for me to type than write |
| * | spelling and grammar check facilities are invaluable |
| * | using emails rather than struggling with the telephone |
| * | various games have taught me typing skills and improved my eye-hand coordination, etc... |
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Being encouraged to achieve despite my difficulties.
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Lots and lots and lots and ... .. . lots of hard work.
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Things which did not help me
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Being shouted at, laughed or called stupid by my parents and teachers. Some misguided teachers thought that being abusive towards me would motivate me - but in fact it only served to completely destroy my self esteem.
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Trying to read using the 'Look and Say' method was a hopeless (my parent eventually taught me about phonetics which enormously improved my reading/writing).
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Being taught in remedial classes which were aimed at pupils of lower intelligence rather than at bright Dyslexic's tended to be of little help to me. The teaching methods I required were very different.
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Trying to learn by rote (eg. say a 'law of physics' as they are given in schools) is nearly impossible for me because I only remember the concept and do not remember the actual words!!
Similarly trying to remember spells for a test was also a complete disaster as to create meaning I would look for superficial patterns; I had always forgotten them within a few hours later!
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