What does DNA stand for?
The old joke goes:
“What does DNA stand for?….. National Dyslexic Association”
Back in April of this year the government finally recognised dyslexia as reading and writing disability- Hurray for you!
I must confess that I am somewhat delighted that I grew up in Britain where it has been recognised for yonks. In fact, if it were not for that and a very determined mother I happen to have I would certainly not be sitting here in this hemisphere typing this right now.
It troubles me just a little that the Dyslexic Foundation leaflet has the by-line “The gift of picture thinking” - It hardly feels like a gift for the kid and looks like a total nightmare for parents. I appreciate the upbeat nature of the material being presented, however in going upbeat I would hate to think we are trivalising the nature of the difficulties.
I was 12 when I was diagnosed with Dyslexia. I then had additional reading lessons in school and out targeting the way I learn so I could learn. If only I’d spent more time considering how they were teaching me and what I was being taught, perhaps I be a better teacher for it. You see often people assume that I know how to educate the educationally challenged ‘just cos I was one’ – that is not the case at all. I fact I have very poor understanding the strategies I use. You see I have been taught that way, I read that way, I write and spell that way…. I think everyone sees the world as I do. But then don’t we all. I was amazed the other day to discover that people view a page and scan from left to right in zigzag pattern in a density to match the density of the text they are scanning. Others move down the centre of the page scanning left and right to get the essence of the text. I NEVER look at a page of writing in either of those ways. I start at the start and move right along to the next word and the next and …..so on.
I echo Clare Coulson’s words: “I am a “compensated dyslexic”, which means my natural cognitive strengths have compensated for the cluster of cognitive weaknesses that characterise dyslexia.”
The dyslexic foundation has worked hard over the last I don’t know how long to get dyslexia put on the agenda. When I was asked to look into dyslexia provision in New Zealand I thought there was none. School after school appears to be ‘not very far down the road’ in terms of acknowledging it let alone doing something about it.
There are an estimated 70,000 dyslexic children in New Zealand. These are children of regular or higher intelligence that think in a more creative and kinestic manner whose needs are not yet being address. 70,000 that’s 8.25% of school aged children in 2001. Is it a small enough percentage for the education system to ignore? I don’t want to list a whole heap of famous dyslexics, New Zealanders or not because lets face it they made it… You could argue that they reached their full potential with or without educational establishment help. But for every John Britten there were 69,999 other dyslexics who we haven’t heard about.
John Britten was plagued with his dyslexia all his life… I say plagued but somehow it would seem you can ‘overcome’ the disability.
“A world authority on dyslexia, Californian Ronald Davis, told the opening function that dyslexia was highly treatable.”
I don’t like the language of ‘overcome’ or ‘treatable’, it sounds like its something you get past and move on like that challenging 20 foot wall you see on all those SAS/ Survivor shows. Not so….
There are many myths surrounding Dyslexia. Many people think it is a disorder that is simply impossible to beat - no matter how determined you are. John O’Shea says: “It does get better. You learn to cope.”
The point of me sharing this… I don’t know. The provision of educational opportunities for ALL should always be front and centre in our minds.
Regardless of their needs and challenges our students deserve the best possible education. They are entitiled to it, are they receiving it?
Links:
Clare Coulson’s article: Spelling it out
