dyslexicswantedpodcast-blog

[dyslexicswantedpodcast-blog]

The Dyslexia Debate

The following blog is inspired by the article: “IDA Responds to the ‘Dyslexia Debate’”published by the International Dyslexia Association.

I remember distinctly being in kindergarten and first grade constantly anxious, on guard, and finding excuses to go to the nurse. Though I’d always been a curious child and loved to learn new things, I hated school. I hated the potential for being called on, I hated that my classmates made fun of me, I hated being punished for not doing homework that I truly couldn’t do. Though I hated many aspects of daily life, I played along with the system enough to get by for a few years. Though, soon enough, my trick was discovered. 

I remember walking into my testing session and being asked if I knew why I was there. My response: “I’m just a dumb 2nd grader”. That is truly how I felt. I felt dumb for not being able to read, for getting stuck on math problems, for being confused in class, for being different from my peers. 

Following the testing session it soon came out that I was dyslexic. Unsurprisingly, I hated this too. But with time, I was able to accept that being dyslexic did not mean that I was dumb, but rather that I learned differently. It meant that like everyone else I had strengths and I had areas I could work on. The discovery of my dyslexia also meant that I was going to change schools so that I could be best supported. At first I did not like this plan, but eventually I was excited as I felt I would have a community in where I belonged and was understood. Though it took me about 10 years to fully embrace my dyslexia, I have been able to slowly accept myself for who I am and the strengths I have, while acknowledging the areas I need growth in. 

Fastforward---> 

I have graduated from college where I wrote my undergraduate thesis on the parent perspective of a dyslexia diagnosis. I have become involved in advocacy surrounding dyslexia. I have mentored younger dyslexic students. 

After graduating from college I began teaching Special Education in urban public schools and... BAM! No one uses the word “dyslexia” anymore but instead says “Specific Learning Disability”. What the HECK does that mean? It’s the least specific “specific” disability possible!! My students have no way to explain their learning difference, they struggle to identify what it is, they aren’t sure of their strengths. 

You may be wondering why this is. How does a word really make that much of a difference? 

It does! 

Without a way to “specifically” identify their learning difference, the perception of being dumb and less capable than their peers is confirmed, when it is not truly reality. When they are told their “Specific Learning Disability” is in reading, writing, and math, they feel hopeless. When teachers start by identifying areas of difficulty, that’s all kids hear. I can say this from being a student AND a teacher in these conversations. When it changes to “you have dyslexia, so there are some areas you are really good at, and there are some things that are more difficult for you” it COMPLETELY changes a chid’s (and parent’s) self-perception. 

I have no more strengths or intelligence than my students, all I had was a truly SPECIFIC word to identify with, a community to call on, and a difference I could learn about.  

[dyslexicswantedpodcast-blog]

Welcome!

This is the Dyslexics Wanted Podcast Blog! We are run by the Webb Innovation Center for Dyslexia! Please visit our website at: www.wicd.org; our Instagram at: @dyslexicswanted; and view our podcast by searching: Dyslexics Wanted on Spotify, iHeart, or Deezer!