What are your experiences with Dyslexia?
Hi there guys. In case you didn't already know, this week is Dyslexia Awareness Week and we have some Dyslexia themed threads going on in the Disabled Students Forum.
While we're on the subject of dyslexia, I would love to hear some other people's experiences with it (or other learning difficulties). So... what are your experiences? Do you have dyslexia? Do you know somebody who does? Do you think there's enough knowledge out there? Do you have an funny stories to tell?
Let's get talking!
While we're on the subject of dyslexia, I would love to hear some other people's experiences with it (or other learning difficulties). So... what are your experiences? Do you have dyslexia? Do you know somebody who does? Do you think there's enough knowledge out there? Do you have an funny stories to tell?
Let's get talking!
I guess I should probably share my story since I'm asking everybody else to...
I was diagnosed with Dyslexia and ADD just before I started uni. I was a smart enough kid at secondary school despite having some issues at junior. I always had some quirks and challenges, but nothing big enough to get me noticed. It's only when it came to college and there was a lot more emphasis on reading and independent work that I realised I might have an issue. I happened to be seeing a psych at the tie for MH issues so I brought it up with them and they helped me sort out getting an assessment.
I've never had any particularly good or bad experiences with other people, but I did once see a stunningly ignorant doctor. I made an off hand comment that I don't read much because of my dyslexia and they said "dyslexia is difficulty writing, not reading". I was pretty stunned and pointed out that I was diagnosed based largely on my difficulty reading so I was pretty sure it was that too. She did apologise. I think I was probably visually annoyed at that point so good call.
I think it helps to not see things like this as a total disadvantage. I've had enough issues by now to have learned a negative attitude is just going to make you feel negative. I try to look for how my LDs make me who I am and how they might benefit me (I think it makes me a bit more open minded which is something I see as a big plus). I also end up having a good laugh every now and then about what crazy mistakes my brain makes.
Aaand that's me. I'm a great believer in spreading understanding so any questions you might have feel free to ask me. We have an AMA thread for dyslexia over in the DS forum so feel free to take a look in there and get questioning.
Now it's your turn!
I was diagnosed with Dyslexia and ADD just before I started uni. I was a smart enough kid at secondary school despite having some issues at junior. I always had some quirks and challenges, but nothing big enough to get me noticed. It's only when it came to college and there was a lot more emphasis on reading and independent work that I realised I might have an issue. I happened to be seeing a psych at the tie for MH issues so I brought it up with them and they helped me sort out getting an assessment.
I've never had any particularly good or bad experiences with other people, but I did once see a stunningly ignorant doctor. I made an off hand comment that I don't read much because of my dyslexia and they said "dyslexia is difficulty writing, not reading". I was pretty stunned and pointed out that I was diagnosed based largely on my difficulty reading so I was pretty sure it was that too. She did apologise. I think I was probably visually annoyed at that point so good call.
I think it helps to not see things like this as a total disadvantage. I've had enough issues by now to have learned a negative attitude is just going to make you feel negative. I try to look for how my LDs make me who I am and how they might benefit me (I think it makes me a bit more open minded which is something I see as a big plus). I also end up having a good laugh every now and then about what crazy mistakes my brain makes.
Aaand that's me. I'm a great believer in spreading understanding so any questions you might have feel free to ask me. We have an AMA thread for dyslexia over in the DS forum so feel free to take a look in there and get questioning.
Now it's your turn!
#PositiveDyslexia2017
We've got a number of threads running here on TSR this week:
Click here to Ask a dyslexic student anything.
We've prepared information about how to spot dyslexia
How to get the dyslexia support you deserve!!
Coming soon:
BIG DEBATE: Is dyslexia a disability?
We've got a number of threads running here on TSR this week:
Click here to Ask a dyslexic student anything.
We've prepared information about how to spot dyslexia
How to get the dyslexia support you deserve!!
Coming soon:
BIG DEBATE: Is dyslexia a disability?
(edited 7 years ago)
My old college were obsessed with this idea that I probably have it because an online screening tests says so. You know, those online tests that actually prove very little. I reluctantly did the proper test (which I didn't pay for - they did) and it was confirmed what I knew all along - I don't have it.
UPDATE
How to get the dyslexia support you deserve!!
Is now live
How to get the dyslexia support you deserve!!
Is now live
Reply 5
Hi,
I just stumbled across this thread whilst looking for something else, but thought I'd add my ten penneth as it may help someone.
I was born in 1960 and when entering the education system was profoundly 'dyslexic'. I would frequently write in mirror-writing, I couldn't spell at all and my reading ability was extremely poor. Every time I wrote a word I'd come up with a different spelling for that same word. This drove my teachers insane! Given that dyslexia wasn't recognised, back then, as a disability, I was just handed out as many punishments as my teachers could come up with. Of course, none worked!
In order to survive, I developed coping mechanisms, one of which was daydreaming. When daydreaming, I was 'hidden in plain view', yet I'd escaped to my own fantasy world, a world in which I could be creative, invent things and a world which had hopes and possibilities. This daydreaming got me though my school years, but also developed my creativity and ability to apply alternative thinking to situations that had others stumped.
Once outside of education I've been very successful. I've used work-arounds to overcome the things with which I struggled the most. I also understand my limitations. Therefore, I don't waste my time trying to learn in conventional ways, but, translate information into patterns and things I can better relate to. This way I'm not held back very much at all. I've actually spent much of my professional life giving technical advice to academics who have been utterly unaware of my 'disability'.
Recently, I even did the previously 'unthinkable' and wrote a book! It's a short story called "Escape to Indrieg", which I've self published on Amazon. Its about my other world, the world of my daydreams. For me, and those around me, who know me and my background, it's a real triumph! It shows that nothing is impossible or out of reach.
So, I thought I'd post this, to encourage those of you who may be struggling now - just know that you can beat this, and that it can give you a different angle, and indeed a competitive 'advantage!'
I just stumbled across this thread whilst looking for something else, but thought I'd add my ten penneth as it may help someone.
I was born in 1960 and when entering the education system was profoundly 'dyslexic'. I would frequently write in mirror-writing, I couldn't spell at all and my reading ability was extremely poor. Every time I wrote a word I'd come up with a different spelling for that same word. This drove my teachers insane! Given that dyslexia wasn't recognised, back then, as a disability, I was just handed out as many punishments as my teachers could come up with. Of course, none worked!
In order to survive, I developed coping mechanisms, one of which was daydreaming. When daydreaming, I was 'hidden in plain view', yet I'd escaped to my own fantasy world, a world in which I could be creative, invent things and a world which had hopes and possibilities. This daydreaming got me though my school years, but also developed my creativity and ability to apply alternative thinking to situations that had others stumped.
Once outside of education I've been very successful. I've used work-arounds to overcome the things with which I struggled the most. I also understand my limitations. Therefore, I don't waste my time trying to learn in conventional ways, but, translate information into patterns and things I can better relate to. This way I'm not held back very much at all. I've actually spent much of my professional life giving technical advice to academics who have been utterly unaware of my 'disability'.
Recently, I even did the previously 'unthinkable' and wrote a book! It's a short story called "Escape to Indrieg", which I've self published on Amazon. Its about my other world, the world of my daydreams. For me, and those around me, who know me and my background, it's a real triumph! It shows that nothing is impossible or out of reach.
So, I thought I'd post this, to encourage those of you who may be struggling now - just know that you can beat this, and that it can give you a different angle, and indeed a competitive 'advantage!'
Original post by DarylA
Hi,
I just stumbled across this thread whilst looking for something else, but thought I'd add my ten penneth as it may help someone.
I was born in 1960 and when entering the education system was profoundly 'dyslexic'. I would frequently write in mirror-writing, I couldn't spell at all and my reading ability was extremely poor. Every time I wrote a word I'd come up with a different spelling for that same word. This drove my teachers insane! Given that dyslexia wasn't recognised, back then, as a disability, I was just handed out as many punishments as my teachers could come up with. Of course, none worked!
In order to survive, I developed coping mechanisms, one of which was daydreaming. When daydreaming, I was 'hidden in plain view', yet I'd escaped to my own fantasy world, a world in which I could be creative, invent things and a world which had hopes and possibilities. This daydreaming got me though my school years, but also developed my creativity and ability to apply alternative thinking to situations that had others stumped.
Once outside of education I've been very successful. I've used work-arounds to overcome the things with which I struggled the most. I also understand my limitations. Therefore, I don't waste my time trying to learn in conventional ways, but, translate information into patterns and things I can better relate to. This way I'm not held back very much at all. I've actually spent much of my professional life giving technical advice to academics who have been utterly unaware of my 'disability'.
Recently, I even did the previously 'unthinkable' and wrote a book! It's a short story called "Escape to Indrieg", which I've self published on Amazon. Its about my other world, the world of my daydreams. For me, and those around me, who know me and my background, it's a real triumph! It shows that nothing is impossible or out of reach.
So, I thought I'd post this, to encourage those of you who may be struggling now - just know that you can beat this, and that it can give you a different angle, and indeed a competitive 'advantage!'
I just stumbled across this thread whilst looking for something else, but thought I'd add my ten penneth as it may help someone.
I was born in 1960 and when entering the education system was profoundly 'dyslexic'. I would frequently write in mirror-writing, I couldn't spell at all and my reading ability was extremely poor. Every time I wrote a word I'd come up with a different spelling for that same word. This drove my teachers insane! Given that dyslexia wasn't recognised, back then, as a disability, I was just handed out as many punishments as my teachers could come up with. Of course, none worked!
In order to survive, I developed coping mechanisms, one of which was daydreaming. When daydreaming, I was 'hidden in plain view', yet I'd escaped to my own fantasy world, a world in which I could be creative, invent things and a world which had hopes and possibilities. This daydreaming got me though my school years, but also developed my creativity and ability to apply alternative thinking to situations that had others stumped.
Once outside of education I've been very successful. I've used work-arounds to overcome the things with which I struggled the most. I also understand my limitations. Therefore, I don't waste my time trying to learn in conventional ways, but, translate information into patterns and things I can better relate to. This way I'm not held back very much at all. I've actually spent much of my professional life giving technical advice to academics who have been utterly unaware of my 'disability'.
Recently, I even did the previously 'unthinkable' and wrote a book! It's a short story called "Escape to Indrieg", which I've self published on Amazon. Its about my other world, the world of my daydreams. For me, and those around me, who know me and my background, it's a real triumph! It shows that nothing is impossible or out of reach.
So, I thought I'd post this, to encourage those of you who may be struggling now - just know that you can beat this, and that it can give you a different angle, and indeed a competitive 'advantage!'
that is awesome.
I am taking a masters course to start afresh in teaching SPED. Yup i have dyslexia and the other 2 i think. i am old.... and back then they didn't do anything except ask you why you couldn't read, spell or get it. Keep up the great work. i will look it up and see how it goes. thanks for sharing. I just found this site too.
Reply 8
Hi everyone,
I have dyslexia, and my journey with it has been a mix of challenges and triumphs. Growing up, reading and writing were particularly tough, and I often felt frustrated in school. However, once I was diagnosed, things started to improve. I received support from specialized tutors and began using assistive technology, which made a significant difference.
One of the biggest challenges was dealing with the stigma and misunderstanding about dyslexia. Many people, including some teachers, didn't fully grasp what it meant, often mistaking it for a lack of intelligence or effort. Thankfully, awareness and understanding have improved over the years, but there's still a long way to go.
A funny story that comes to mind is when I was in middle school. I was reading aloud in class and misread "Santa Claus" as "Satan Claws." The entire class burst into laughter, and while I was embarrassed at the moment, I laugh about it now. It’s important to keep a sense of humor!
Knowing someone with dyslexia can really open your eyes to the nuances of the condition. My younger brother also has dyslexia, and watching him navigate school with better resources and support has been encouraging. We share tips and strategies, which has strengthened our bond.
Overall, I think more needs to be done to educate people about dyslexia and provide support for those who have it. Understanding that dyslexia is just one aspect of a person's abilities can help create a more inclusive and supportive environment.
Looking forward to hearing others' experiences!
Thank You
Alicia Johnson
I have dyslexia, and my journey with it has been a mix of challenges and triumphs. Growing up, reading and writing were particularly tough, and I often felt frustrated in school. However, once I was diagnosed, things started to improve. I received support from specialized tutors and began using assistive technology, which made a significant difference.
One of the biggest challenges was dealing with the stigma and misunderstanding about dyslexia. Many people, including some teachers, didn't fully grasp what it meant, often mistaking it for a lack of intelligence or effort. Thankfully, awareness and understanding have improved over the years, but there's still a long way to go.
A funny story that comes to mind is when I was in middle school. I was reading aloud in class and misread "Santa Claus" as "Satan Claws." The entire class burst into laughter, and while I was embarrassed at the moment, I laugh about it now. It’s important to keep a sense of humor!
Knowing someone with dyslexia can really open your eyes to the nuances of the condition. My younger brother also has dyslexia, and watching him navigate school with better resources and support has been encouraging. We share tips and strategies, which has strengthened our bond.
Overall, I think more needs to be done to educate people about dyslexia and provide support for those who have it. Understanding that dyslexia is just one aspect of a person's abilities can help create a more inclusive and supportive environment.
Looking forward to hearing others' experiences!
Thank You
Alicia Johnson
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