Dyslexia is a gift How we see dyslexia is like how we view many other things – it is all about perception. We can chose to view it as a gift – to be able to see and hear in four different dimensions – or we can chose to view it as a disability. Unfortunately, for many the education system and style of learning takes that choice away. Let’s focus on how we facilitate learning for all, as opposed to defining the individual by a label. Viv Gurrey Chief Executive Officer Parents Centres New Zealand
Finds difficulty with rhyming words – fat – mat – pat Struggles to pronounce words correctly, such as saying “mawn lower” instead of “lawn mower” Has difficulty learning new words Has a smaller vocabulary than other kids the same age Has trouble learning to count or say the days of the week and other common word sequences Has trouble rhyming
Warning signs in primary school Struggles with reading and spelling Confuses the order of letters, such as writing “left” instead of “felt” Has trouble remembering facts and numbers Has difficulty gripping a pencil Has difficulty using proper grammar Has trouble learning new skills and relies heavily on memorisation Gets tripped up by word problems in maths Has a tough time sounding out unfamiliar words Has trouble following a sequence of directions
More than just a literacy issue Dyslexia doesn’t only affect reading and writing, a child may find some everyday skills and activities difficult. Socially: There are several ways dyslexia can affect a child’s social life. Struggling to grasp basics of literacy and numeracy can make a child feel inferior around other kids. Your child may stop trying to make new friends or try to avoid group activities. As they grow older, your child may also find it difficult to understand jokes or sarcasm.
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