Dyslexia

[david51058]

Does it really exist or is it purely down to poor teaching?

[RATTER15]

It actually exists!!! Dyslexics rule KO!!

[McMouse]

In my view most dyslexia afflicts the children of the middle classes. Children from deprived backgrounds who are slow learners are just thick.

[LoftyLottie]

Believe me it really exists! Not going into detail, but as a parent it caused me years of anguish. Fortunately my son got the right help in the end and has done very well.
I do think though it's an easy word to latch on to for some kids who basically just are slow at learning to read.

My son couldn't even look at a page without seeing words jumbled about and at different levels on the page. A long story.

But yes it definately exists.

[LoftyLottie]

Not true McMouse.

I had an extremely intelligent child who was articulate and a fast learner and has achieved high academic qualifications and is now in a good job. It didn't add up that he read very slowly, couldn't spell and was nervous anxious and slow at writing things down.

As a parent you know when something is not right. And so should a good teacher. A bright child who is knowledgeable articulate and intelligent but has problems reading and writing is a good pointer towards dyslexia.

It is something I got very involved in and also in the medical research side of it.

[RATTER15]

I agree with you LL, my step daughter had the same problems, we took her to a specialist who diagnosed Dyslexia when she was 20, she cried for 3 days from relief, she really thought that she was, in her words "just thick" it was such a relief and she could then start on a new learning programme.

[LoftyLottie]

Hi Ratter,










































With my son it was the word 'lazy' rather than thick that was applied at primary school, because it was obvious he was extremely bright. In his first few weeks at a brilliant secondary school we were supported in our thoughts that he had dyslexia when the English teacher said he style of writing and knowledge was at adult level if you could get through the dreadful writing and weird spelling.

It was on the up from that point onwards!!

He actually now can spell!! Dyslexics are known to form sideways thinking skills to cope.

[LoftyLottie]

I am having real problems this morning with this computer!!

Now I am getting white space. I give up!!

[McMouse]

LL one of my nephews was extremely challenged at school and was being considered for special needs. His parents were horrified that his 'statement' might stigmatise him (and them) so paid a fortune for expert opinion to get him designated as dyslexic. They admitted privately that he was just old fashioned thick, but socially hid behind dyslexia as the reason why he didn't go to university etc. My aunt worked for years as a teacher and specialised in providing remedial classes for youngsters who were struggling. I once asked her how many of her charges were dyslexic and she just laughed and said her LEA didn't do dyslexia and left that to the posh schools.

[LoftyLottie]

A very old fashioned remark made by lots of elderly teachers McMouse. Younger teachers are much more switched on to it fortunately. Progress and more knowledge. Your aunt is typical.

However, as I said before the word 'dyslexic' can be latched on to by many parents. For those of us who really know about and have dyslexic children it doesn't make things easier!!

[LoftyLottie]

Because my son was so articulate and bright for his age he was asked to take part in a medical research programme (which he got paid for much to his delight). We had to go to cambridge for him to have tests involving all sorts of quite scary procedures involving wires being stuck all over his head and computer screens - scared me anyway. All sorts of eminent doctors and scientists present.

If his teachers had thought like your aunt, McMouse, my son would never have been able to achieve what he has. Please don't dismiss Dyslexia, it is very, very real. It also takes many forms.

[factor-fiction]

As a teacher I can confirm that dyslexia exists and affects all classes, although I must say I have mixed views on dyslexia. However I'd like to challenge the question as to whether poor reading and writing skills are the result of poor teaching. Whilst some poor teaching does occur I feel most people who point the finger at teachers have little appreciation of what goes on in schools and I would challenge them to make progress with the not insignificant proportion of school students who have no interest whatsoever in learning, do little or no work and are untouchable from a disciplinary point of view.

[Scylax]

Dyslexia (word blindness) certainly exists, though it's fairly uncommon. Unfortunately, many slow learners latch onto the condition to excuse their deficiencies and gain unwarranted sympathy. Dyslexia can be treated, but the pseudo form requires large daily injections of IQ, which is unobtainable in the UK.