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am i stupid, dyslexic or what?
I’m not sure what’s up with me, it’s pretty embarrassing, basically I get very very frustrated with reading, I dunno why and I was wondering if people think maybe its worth me taking a dyslexia test?
I will explain: I cannot read out loud at all. In school, at uni I just can’t do it, I stumble over every single word, I mean even the lecturer will snigger when she makes me do it. I hate doing it and have always tried to avoid as much as possible.
Secondly, my spelling is pretty bad. I failed most spelling tests at junior school and the one in 6th form my teacher decided to “surprise” us with. My writing is very hard to read, even to me, and changes a lot. Like I can write an essay and it’ll look like 2 or 3 people have written it because of how much it changes. My English teacher when I was 15 told me to go see the school learning woman but I didn’t.
I don’t know if this is just the exams coming up or what but I find reading pretty hard going. I read very slowly (like 6minutes for a regular size page) and this make revising anything an absolute nightmare because I have to spend hours just to read a little bit which is well annoying and gets me even further stressed out. The long words academic books use don’t help things at all – it’s not like I never read when I was a kid, I read a lot of books and I still try to now, I’ve got all these books I wanna read but I haven’t really the time because it takes so long and that just gets me annoyed.
Some people have suggested to me it might be dyslexia but I don’t know because I think a teacher would of noticed if it was seeing as they’re like trained to spot that kind of thing? I’ve heard it suggested that dyslexia does not exist and that people are just stupid (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=458160&in_page_id=1766&ito=1490). So I’m thinking, am I just stupid or what?
ps. sorry about length.
pps. ok. for some reason anon didn't work. that's a ****ing bugger.....
I will explain: I cannot read out loud at all. In school, at uni I just can’t do it, I stumble over every single word, I mean even the lecturer will snigger when she makes me do it. I hate doing it and have always tried to avoid as much as possible.
Secondly, my spelling is pretty bad. I failed most spelling tests at junior school and the one in 6th form my teacher decided to “surprise” us with. My writing is very hard to read, even to me, and changes a lot. Like I can write an essay and it’ll look like 2 or 3 people have written it because of how much it changes. My English teacher when I was 15 told me to go see the school learning woman but I didn’t.
I don’t know if this is just the exams coming up or what but I find reading pretty hard going. I read very slowly (like 6minutes for a regular size page) and this make revising anything an absolute nightmare because I have to spend hours just to read a little bit which is well annoying and gets me even further stressed out. The long words academic books use don’t help things at all – it’s not like I never read when I was a kid, I read a lot of books and I still try to now, I’ve got all these books I wanna read but I haven’t really the time because it takes so long and that just gets me annoyed.
Some people have suggested to me it might be dyslexia but I don’t know because I think a teacher would of noticed if it was seeing as they’re like trained to spot that kind of thing? I’ve heard it suggested that dyslexia does not exist and that people are just stupid (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=458160&in_page_id=1766&ito=1490). So I’m thinking, am I just stupid or what?
ps. sorry about length.
pps. ok. for some reason anon didn't work. that's a ****ing bugger.....
Scroll to see replies
Reply 3
I've made you anon 
It's worth going for a test, there's no harm in finding out. I'm sure you're not stupid! Dyslexia can be easily missed as well or misinterpreted for not being so bright. I'd definitely look into getting tested as if you are dyslexic you can get access to help and extra time in exams etc.
It's worth going for a test, there's no harm in finding out. I'm sure you're not stupid! Dyslexia can be easily missed as well or misinterpreted for not being so bright. I'd definitely look into getting tested as if you are dyslexic you can get access to help and extra time in exams etc.
Reply 4
fleur de lis
I've made you anon
lol i thought vector had some kind of x-ray vision for a minute there
how did he know who was using the anon! 
Reply 6
The OP originally posted and anon didn't work, so their username showed up. I've now made it anon. I'd appreciate it if anyone who did see the OP's identity could ensure they don't give it away in the thread or anywhere else please
My younger brother is considered a 'gifted' child, yet his spelling, though it was good when he was younger, is terrible now, and his writing, like yours changes all the time, but he's developed some incredible artistic skill in it's place over the past few years, almost as though he's channeling that intelligence into drawing as he can't handle the written word too well.
The point being, you can be perfectly intelligent without being able to handle written words excellently, so no, you're not stupid.
He's had dyslexia tests though and they've come back negative; whether it's something else, or has just not shown up on tests, I don't know.
The point being, you can be perfectly intelligent without being able to handle written words excellently, so no, you're not stupid.
He's had dyslexia tests though and they've come back negative; whether it's something else, or has just not shown up on tests, I don't know.
Reply 9
I am dyslexic and was was only diagnosed this year and I am 17!The fact that they didn't pick up anything or didn't test you before doesn't mean you arn't dyslexic. they can totally miss it! No one even suggested aout me, just beacuse they assumed, because I could read in my head and found ways around it, such as sbstituting words I couldn't spell with wimpler ones. It was my college that first noticed it!So don't worry about that!
Take the test because what are you going to lose either way?
what your teacher is doing from what I read, is cruel and maybe you could mention to them that it is making you uncomfortable and that you are working on it, but can they understand your position?Even if its a confidence thing they should understand!
there are many types of dyslexia and different levels of it! For instance my reading is very advanced but my selling is bad, my processing speed is slow my memory really worried them and I can't plan sequence or see patterns! and I am mild to moderate!My IQ with the dylexic components removed was so different that they were shocked! I have an IQ in the low 90's with the sequencing included but with that removed...I score a lot higher!So it does not mean you are stupid at all!
You mentioned reading out loud? that can be sign of dyslexia. I can read very well in my head, and if there is a word I can't prounouce I skip over it, understanding through context...beacuse to pronuce is very very hard! Dyslexic sign!
They can give you a lot of help, and even if it isn't Dyslexia, they can give you study support! that is their job after all!
I wish you all the luck in the world! I know that dyslexia is no fun at all...definatly when you ahve struggled with it for so long without knowing!
Please kee us update and tell us whats happening!
Feel free to Pm me anytime okay?
take care and i hope this random warbling helped!
Take the test because what are you going to lose either way?
what your teacher is doing from what I read, is cruel and maybe you could mention to them that it is making you uncomfortable and that you are working on it, but can they understand your position?Even if its a confidence thing they should understand!
there are many types of dyslexia and different levels of it! For instance my reading is very advanced but my selling is bad, my processing speed is slow my memory really worried them and I can't plan sequence or see patterns! and I am mild to moderate!My IQ with the dylexic components removed was so different that they were shocked! I have an IQ in the low 90's with the sequencing included but with that removed...I score a lot higher!So it does not mean you are stupid at all!
You mentioned reading out loud? that can be sign of dyslexia. I can read very well in my head, and if there is a word I can't prounouce I skip over it, understanding through context...beacuse to pronuce is very very hard! Dyslexic sign!
They can give you a lot of help, and even if it isn't Dyslexia, they can give you study support! that is their job after all!
I wish you all the luck in the world! I know that dyslexia is no fun at all...definatly when you ahve struggled with it for so long without knowing!
Please kee us update and tell us whats happening!
Feel free to Pm me anytime okay?
take care and i hope this random warbling helped!
Reply 10
My boyfriend was diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia during his last year at uni, so some people do slip through the net during their formative years in education.
Don't listen to the daily mail, conservative prats that they are. So far, in the few suburban "episodes" (I refuse to acknowledge those literary skid marks as journalistic articles) that I have read dyslexics and rock metal don't "exist".
Load of tosh.
Don't listen to the daily mail, conservative prats that they are. So far, in the few suburban "episodes" (I refuse to acknowledge those literary skid marks as journalistic articles) that I have read dyslexics and rock metal don't "exist".
Load of tosh.
Reply 11
Marianne
My boyfriend was diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia during his last year at uni, so some people do slip through the net during their formative years in education.
Don't listen to the daily mail, conservative prats that they are. So far, in the few suburban "episodes" (I refuse to acknowledge those literary skid marks as journalistic articles) that I have read dyslexics and rock metal don't "exist".
Load of tosh.
Don't listen to the daily mail, conservative prats that they are. So far, in the few suburban "episodes" (I refuse to acknowledge those literary skid marks as journalistic articles) that I have read dyslexics and rock metal don't "exist".
Load of tosh.
exactly...
People always slip through the net! The teachers just don't notice because in my example my grades were never terrible, even if I didn't make an effort...Stupid huh?
Dyslexic is a very tricky learning " disability"
Reply 12
fleur de lis
I've made you anon
It's worth going for a test, there's no harm in finding out. I'm sure you're not stupid! Dyslexia can be easily missed as well or misinterpreted for not being so bright. I'd definitely look into getting tested as if you are dyslexic you can get access to help and extra time in exams etc.
It's worth going for a test, there's no harm in finding out. I'm sure you're not stupid! Dyslexia can be easily missed as well or misinterpreted for not being so bright. I'd definitely look into getting tested as if you are dyslexic you can get access to help and extra time in exams etc.
There are a great number out there who would suggest dyslexia doesn't exist and really is being 'less bright'. I think its a modern idea that you should need to blame all your failings ona 'medical' problem as though it makes it better.
I have the sporting co-ordination of a rather un-gainly puppy, but don't claim to have 'mild apraxia' i simply admit sucking at one aspect of life.
Reply 13
Take the test.
Even though teacheres are meant to be able to see where students problems are, they don't always. And as you're at Uni, things would have been different a few years ago.
As for being dyslexic, I think there is a strong chance you are. Being dyslexic is on a scale, some people are worse than others. I think I might be slightly dysexic because I have a real hard time spelling, and being able to tell whether a word is spelt right or not. And reading can also be a problem because of mixing up words.
Just take the test.
Whatever the outcome you should be able to get some more help with studies, and if you spoke to your lectures, im sure they would realise that you don't want to read aloud.
Btw, from the sound of it, you don't sound at all stupid.
Even though teacheres are meant to be able to see where students problems are, they don't always. And as you're at Uni, things would have been different a few years ago.
As for being dyslexic, I think there is a strong chance you are. Being dyslexic is on a scale, some people are worse than others. I think I might be slightly dysexic because I have a real hard time spelling, and being able to tell whether a word is spelt right or not. And reading can also be a problem because of mixing up words.
Just take the test.
Whatever the outcome you should be able to get some more help with studies, and if you spoke to your lectures, im sure they would realise that you don't want to read aloud.
Btw, from the sound of it, you don't sound at all stupid.
Reply 14
hmm, reading though this has made me think i should go get tested.
so thanks in a round-about way
so thanks in a round-about way
Reply 15
Defintley go for the test, at least you will know for sure then. That is rather slow reading rate and you could get extra test time and such so your reading wouldn't effect your answers or marks. It so doesn't matter how old you are, I was diagnosed this year (I'm 19!) and the only reason I didn't get found out earlier was because I thought the problems I have were normal so didn't think to get it checked out.
Your teacher is wrong to laugh at you when you read aloud,
that is just really mean, I have difficulty reading aloud too and would get quite upset if my whole class was laughing about it because its quite embarrasing!
Your teacher is wrong to laugh at you when you read aloud,
that is just really mean, I have difficulty reading aloud too and would get quite upset if my whole class was laughing about it because its quite embarrasing!Reply 16
Not totally related to the topic, but when I was younger I had a dyslexia test and I was apparently dyslexic when I was 7. However, I had an illness when I was 1-5 years old called Glue Ear so I couldn't hear. Eventually I managed to overcome the illness and I could hear! I didn't learn to talk until I was 5, and when I went into school I had a test and they discovered I was dyslexic. I was moved to a special school shortly afterwards. Now I am doing my AS-levels-History, English Lit, Biology and Geography. Two subjects essay-based! It is hard to tell if it is dyslexia? Everyone was pretty sure I was dyslexic (I went to a dyslexic school for 2 and a half years) until I was around 9, and for another couple years I was treated as if I had dyslexia. I never could handle languages, and possibly because of my development as a child I find it very hard to grasp a new language.
If you are diagnosed as having dyslexia after a test, it's not the end of the world. I am still friends with many people I met at the dyslexic school (one is my best friend) and he's doing fine! After his GCSEs he's training for the army. It might even help to just do some practice reading (sounds silly, but I did this). Take your time reading a simple book (larger words than normal may even help).
Hope this helps, even though I'm not dyslexic!
If you are diagnosed as having dyslexia after a test, it's not the end of the world. I am still friends with many people I met at the dyslexic school (one is my best friend) and he's doing fine! After his GCSEs he's training for the army. It might even help to just do some practice reading (sounds silly, but I did this). Take your time reading a simple book (larger words than normal may even help).
Hope this helps, even though I'm not dyslexic!
Jamie
There are a great number out there who would suggest dyslexia doesn't exist and really is being 'less bright'. I think its a modern idea that you should need to blame all your failings ona 'medical' problem as though it makes it better.
Recently there was a thread about this on my Uni message board, so Ima C&P what I wrote there:
Talya
I am also dyslexic and have similar problems with taking in information I read! I often have to read the question aloud which is a huge problem in exams (i generally just have to mouth it several times)
I got help when I was young to cope with it, how to organise myself better. Iwould not say I am stupid... And I'd be inclined to think professionals (at places like the Dyslexia Institute where I got help) would be able to tell the difference between a person of low intelligence and one with dyslexia!
Before I was diagnosed I went through an entire day of testing and at the end they had determined my IQ and where my weaknesses lay. It also led to me having an EEG (apparently I have abnormal brain waves (too slow? I believe) on the left side of my brain) but I don't know whether or not that was the cause of my problems. So I was diagnosed as dyslexic. It's not easy!
I am also dyslexic and have similar problems with taking in information I read! I often have to read the question aloud which is a huge problem in exams (i generally just have to mouth it several times)
I got help when I was young to cope with it, how to organise myself better. Iwould not say I am stupid... And I'd be inclined to think professionals (at places like the Dyslexia Institute where I got help) would be able to tell the difference between a person of low intelligence and one with dyslexia!
Before I was diagnosed I went through an entire day of testing and at the end they had determined my IQ and where my weaknesses lay. It also led to me having an EEG (apparently I have abnormal brain waves (too slow? I believe) on the left side of my brain) but I don't know whether or not that was the cause of my problems. So I was diagnosed as dyslexic. It's not easy!
(PS, Jamie, no idea what that EEG results meant so don't jump on me about it.. I was only like 10 when they did it)
Reply 18
I noticed that you are at uni? I'd reccomend going to see student support services, most have a specialist disability officer. The may be able to advise you better and put you in touch with somewhere you can be tested (some may even help fund the test). You have nothing to loose by being tested, when I was diagnosed I thought it was a bad thing, I now know it is part of me and there is a reason behind some of the things I can/can't do.
Reply 19
Hold on, why does it matter whether you're dyslexic or stupid? You have problems reading out loud and various other things, and are entitled to some kind of support either way. I don't see why "dyslexia" and "stupidity" differ here - they both have the same effect and can both be treated to an extent; you should stop worrying about putting a name on it and try and get help in overcoming it, whatever it is.
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