Stereotyping students with dyslexia

Stereotyping dyslexic children as slow is a grand mistake. Contrary to popular opinion, my students who are dyslexic are among some of the most intelligent students I’ve had the pleasure to teach. Yes, they lag in reading due to their need for explicit instruction, but they are very bright in other “intelligences”.

To label them slow is to create low expectations for them among people who are not knowledgeable of dyslexia.

I think lorbis brings up some very valid points. Dyslexics are often thought to be slow, especially if they have yet to be identified. The decrease in self esteem these kids face will eventually lead them to “shut down” academically if not identified, remediated, then accomodated. More times than not, dyslexics are above average intelligence, and are very aware that they are not aquiring language skills as quickly or as easily as their peers. Often they are in the lowest reading group, a practice, while beneficial in order to help poor readers receive more instruction, definitely seperates “those who can from those who can’t ” furthering the downward spiral of self worth. Dyslexics often have a gift, if you will. While some dyslexics may also have dyscalculia (a unexpected problem with math), some are very gifted in math and are able to mentally calculate very difficult math problems. They may be the best on their baseball, soccer, or basketball teams. They may be gifted in art, and are known to have a keen sense of empathy. However, these gifts of multiple intelligence, are often not recognized in the classroom. The focus is often placed on what they cannot do. To stereotyoe them as slow is an injustice as these kids have the superb ability to “bust through” the conforms of society and think out of the box. Some of the greatest innovations of our time have been brought to the forefront by those thought to be dyslexic. The Wright Borthers and flight, Einstein and physics, Thomas Edison and many more. The “learn to read, read to learn” philosophy may well be the undoing of these kids as they reach the older elementary grades as dyslexia varies in the degrees of severity and may not be recognized early on. Identifying these kids early is the key to their success. Educating the educators about dyslexia and how to recognize it is the first step towards the instruction these kids needs. There are some “jam up” teachers out there who are really on the ball who refer their struggling readers for testing. But more education is needed. Testing, IMO, must be domain specific. These kids are an awesome group and will go on to do great things if they are given the instruction necessary for them to be successful. They can do it and they want to do it, but we must reach them before they give up.

Dee Dee

THANK YOU both for your insightful replies!!!

Do you have any suggestions for “best practices” on teaching dyslexic children how to read? There is a lot of debate on this topic. Also, I am wondering, are you both teachers and where?

Sandra

www.audiblox2000.com/dyslexia_dyslexic/dyslexia005.htm

FWIW, Einstein being dyslexic has been refuted.

“Einstein entered school at the age of six, and against popular belief did very well. When he was seven his mother wrote, “Yesterday Albert received his grades, he was again number one, his report card was brilliant.” At the age of twelve Einstein was reading physics books. At thirteen, after reading the Critique of Pure Reason and the work of other philosophers, Einstein adopted Kant as his favorite author. About this time he also read Darwin. Pais states, “the widespread belief that he was a poor student is unfounded.””

Sandra — as far as “best practices” in teaching reading, while we aren’t yet perfect, we do have some very good answers, very solidly based.

Unfortunately there is a lot of stuff around that tries to get taken as reasoned debate on the reading issue, but is actually just the constant reiteration of old disproven theories — this is not debate.

For lots and lots of good info — and the data to back it up — go to the top of this page to the LD In Depth tab, click, and click on Reading. You will find lots and lots of good articles. The place to start is the National Reading Panel report “Teaching Children to Read.”

A recent study of millionaires in Britain revealed that although only 10% of the general population is considered dyslexic, 40% of British millionaires are dyslexic. The study does not reveal the reason for this, but some think it could be because dyslexics can oftain think outside of the box. By the way, a child MUST have at least an average IQ to be labeled dyslexic.

My husband has dylexia and was always considered dumb and felt that he was. He got poor grades until after we got married and I got him to enroll in some college classes to prove he wasn’t dumb. He got A’s and B’s for the first time in his life.

My 2nd born son has dyslexia. He believes that he has a special brain that everyone else wishes that they had. He sees dyslexia as a gift. He does struggle. He does have speech delays. But he has alwyas been homeschooled, he has never been teased, and he is extremely confident and bright.

We’ve been able to adjust his learning and tailor it so that he can succeed and does, and he hasn’t been exposed to the typical stereotypes