Albert Einstein, Tom Cruise and Leonardo Da Vinci are well-known in their respective field of work. One thing they share in common is that they are dyslexic. There are many stereotypes about dyslexic people being “slow-learners” but have you ever wondered how some dyslexic people managed to be so successful?
It’s impossible to judge whether a person is dyslexic just from their appearance. Some can speak fluently but struggle with writing words. While others can write well, but struggle with pronouncing the words. This has caused some parents to panic whenever a warning sign appears and they end up self diagnosing, and misdiagnosing their child as having dyslexia.
Here are 3 common misconceptions:
Not able to read or write properly is the parent’s fault
Children with dyslexia can find simple reading or writing challenging. This can cause them to give up doing their homework, lose motivation to study and consequently receive poor grades. It’s easy to dismiss the child as being lazy and see this as the parent’s fault for not monitoring their child’s academic performance. It is important to recognise that dyslexia affects a child’s ability to read, spell and decode words as their brain processes written material differently. It is not the result of poor teaching or upbringing.
Reversing letters is a sure indication of dyslexia
Contrary to popular belief, it is normal for a child to start writing letters upside down and in reverse. In fact, it is not unusual to see them confuse ‘b’ and ‘d’ or ‘q’ and ‘p’ as it is a part of the learning process the child goes through as they explore language and writing. However, if the child still continues to get confused with the letters by the age of 6, it may be a signal for an evaluation.
More boys than girls have dyslexia
Although it is statistically correct, it may not be an accurate representation of the situation. This is due to the boys’ nature, where they are more prone to acting out as a result of reading or writing difficulties, and trouble completing their work as compared to girls. Girls are more likely to stay quiet and not alarm anyone about their issues and their dyslexia symptoms might go unnoticed.
This learning disabilities may entail various debates and unresolved questions but one thing for certain is that having extensive knowledge is the first step towards eliminating any potential uncertainties surrounding dyslexia. When it goes undiagnosed and untreated, childhood reading difficulties can continue into adulthood. Consult a specialist if your child’s reading level is below from what is expected for his or her age or if you notice signs of dyslexia.
Join us at College of Allied Educators to see how you can develop an understanding of the different types of exceptional children, their needs, and the different special needs programmes and specialties that are available to you, for them.
For a FREE COURSE PREVIEW
CALL US at 6533-2763
EMAIL your enquiry to ENQUIRY@ICAE.EDU.SG
or Register for your free preview below: