Dyslexia Awareness Week
So, what is dyslexia? Many people think that it’s just about problems with reading and spelling, but there can be other common diffi culties such as poor short-term memory, a lack of organisational skills and problems following instructions.
Dyslexia aff ects 1 in 10 people and often runs in the family.
It is not an indication
of low intelligence – it is a diff erent way of learning that means peoples’ brains process information in diff erent ways. We also know that many dyslexic people are particularly creative, good at solving problems and have strong ‘people skills’. So, a child may have a wonderful imagination and be very eloquent in talking or describing something verbally, but when it comes to writing it down, they struggle to write even a short sentence.
At school, children with dyslexia might have problems with things like: • Copying from the board •
Remembering what they need to take to school each day
• Concentrating in class •
• •
Feeling extra tired as their brains have to work harder than others Reading out loud
Poor behaviour (sometimes to cover up embarrassment or frustration).
The good news is that there is lots that can help children with dyslexia. Teachers are now well equipped to spot signs of dyslexia; but if you think your child is struggling, the best thing to do is to ask for a meeting to discuss your concerns with the school. Nowadays, there is lots of technology that can help and simple things like using coloured paper or overlays, or getting a little more time in exams
can make a huge diff erence. Most people with dyslexia develop strategies to help them manage their diffi culties.
At home, try not just to dwell on the things that your child fi nds diffi cult – remember also to point out the things they enjoy and do well. If your child asks questions, say that you don’t know all the answers but that you will fi nd out together. Look at diff erent tasks together and work out why something is easy or hard.
Make sure the school – and all the teachers - have all the information they need about your child, particularly before and after the transition from primary to secondary school. Help your child to write or practise speaking about what dyslexia means to them and what helps so that they can explain it to others.
Awareness and understanding of dyslexia has increased hugely over the last twenty years and there is lots of help out there – so with the right support, every child with dyslexia can achieve their potential.
Kindly provided by Lena Gillies of Dyslexia Scotland
Dyslexia Awareness Week is on 2–8 November 2015. Find out more at www.dyslexiascotland.
org.uk. Our website also includes useful information for adults with dyslexia such as information for students and employers.
Dyslexia Scotland Helpline 0344 800 8484 or
helpline@dyslexiascotland.org.uk
Dyslexia Scotland Forth Valley meets 4 times a year and their meetings are open to anyone with an interest in dyslexia. Find out more on our website.
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