As students go on study leave for their forthcoming GCSEs and A Level examinations Dyslexia Action implores that we do not have the same old predicable headlines that infer too many children with dyslexia are being given advantageous extra time in their exams.
Dyslexia is much more than a difficulty with reading. It can cause difficulties with organisation, mathematics and memory and can result in slow reading, writing and information processing. Dyslexia does not affect intelligence but the difficulties it can cause can put an individual at a serious disadvantage in a world that dictates our knowledge is tested by a process of reading, comprehension, memory recall and written response, within a set period of time.
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6 Replies
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Really good and interesting topic!
I don't think people with dyslexia should be considered or labeled "disabled" however I do think people with dyslexia should get all the help in the world.
I personally think that they shouldn't have to take exams the "conventional" way such as sat there and reading the questions and writing the answers down ect.
They should be able to give their answers and opinions by verbally answering questions and listen to the questions through auditory measures. Or through multiple choice answers. Should they be given more time... if they did it like this they may not need extra time.
For example, we had a client who was considered very severely dyslexic from several psychologists. He wants/will to be a paramedic and in the old days you could go out with the paramedic crew and you could practically watch and learn by doing it practically. He was very good at this. Then they stopped this and changed the system whereby you now have to have a paramedic science degree - incidentally he is now doing this and on multiple choice questions gets 90% - 100% each time, but for the same body of knowledge he gets an average 40% on his essays. This a great shame and proves more challenging for dyslexic people - he's had to change institutions twice, to get the support.
In our opinion, it's not that they have a disability, it's just they learn and think differently... and in my opinion are extremely bright!!!! FACT!
Would Richard Branson call himself disabled? - Billionaire!
Would Woopi Goldberg call herself disabled? - learns lines for her acting!
Would Tom Cruise call himself disabled? - has to learn lines to act!
If they do consider themselves to be dyslexic-disabled, then me and them need to have a chat to find out how. Because I want to be disabled like them, to reach their level of success.
I don't know how reliable the link is but if they are considered disabled... then what a great way to be disabled.
These people have the same challenges but they had different resources to learn differently.
I apologies if I am going off on a tangent (I'm dyslexic, and is also a common trait) but let's not limit our children... please.
One of the key issues with dyslexic people is that they can go too specific with things, then suffer from overwhelm hence why some people find it a challenge to read a map... if you look at the BIG PICTURE, so long has a person can remember information through whatever is best for them and they can answer the question eloquently and the best way they know how, then what's the difference in the quality of work from someone who's dyslexic and non dyslexic? Well the answer is probably none.
Anyway my answer - big picture is that people with dyslexia shouldn't be labeled disabled.
as soon as i read the topic this is what came into my head
of course they should get as much or even more help. put it this way. the education system whether it be starter or university is there for you to learn and educate yourself and give you progression towards life. now surely if the system neglects that prime being of help towards those that they are supposedly already there to help from the start of life,that they should be ensuring those that have far more trouble than the normal joe, would gain help especially for exams more so over than those with difficulties or disabilities that dont effect their learning areas.
"Would Richard Branson call himself disabled? - Billionaire!
Would Woopi Goldberg call herself disabled? - learns lines for her acting!
Would Tom Cruise call himself disabled? - has to learn lines to act!
If they do consider themselves to be dyslexic-disabled, then me and them need to have a chat to find out how. Because I want to be disabled like them, to reach their level of success. "
im reading this and , ths is the part of dyslexia i hate becuase i cant find the words to describe how im feeling, but hell ill give it a try.
as ive posted before you do seem to hate the word or association of disabled to dyslexia, as if the word should and only would belong to those that cant see, dont have limbs etc.
how ever you then say the stupidest thing , that actually sounds like your back at school and have jealously and demand to know how they became dyslic so that you could be like them. its as if just becuase many people can overcome the disability with great success, its only with hard work and something they enjoy doing that they have done this.
but then again thats exactly what you have done yourself from what ive read on your site, yet that doesnt seem to be enough for you.
yes its been scientifically proven that the brains of dyslexics works near to the level of a genius because of the amount of brain power being used, yes that means with something they enjoy and can understand they can then maybe sometime in their life become great at.
But that actually seems to bother you. although you do say "i dont consider them to be disabled, as they are known to be very intelligent" well as ive stated before again, somebody in a wheel chair can be very intelligent, does that mean they are no longer deemed disabled? as if the word disabled should belong to the word non intelligent?
you are clearly a smart guy from the qualifications etc you have gained over the years, but you also seem to be a bit lost in some views.
No I don't hate the word or association of disabled to dyslexia, I just don't believe in learning disables... that's all.
"Sounds like I am back at school and have jealously and demand to know how they became dyslexic so that I could be like them?" I'm not too sure if i've understood your statement... but I am dyslexic too, all be it not severe.
you said...
*** yes its been scientifically proven that the brains of dyslexics works near to the level of a genius because of the amount of brain power being used, yes that means with something they enjoy and can understand they can then maybe sometime in their life become great at. ***
and I totally agree, that's why I don't believe in "learning disabled" or "learning disability" we are all learning machines, it's just that people (especially with dyslexia) learn differently and people, schools and society should know this, accept it and adapt it so that it's utilised in a positive way.
you said...
*** But that actually seems to bother you. although you do say "i dont consider them to be disabled, as they are known to be very intelligent" well as ive stated before again, somebody in a wheel chair can be very intelligent, does that mean they are no longer deemed disabled? as if the word disabled should belong to the word non intelligent? ***
No I'm not saying that at all... The word disabled, should belong to the word non intelligent? Short answer is no I don't agree with that.
Your choosing to let your condition allow you to be disabled - Diabetes is an hidden disability but if you don't let it, it's not... and this is coming from a person who had type 1 diabetes for 19 years.
A dyslexic boy who was branded severely dyslexic and "learning disabled" who finds reading, writing, comprehension challenging can take a whole engine apart and place it back together again without looking at the manual - His father who's a professor in linguistics cannot do this, so does that mean (the professor) he his learning disabled? I would say no, of course not.
It's just some of us can do things that others can't because of the way we learn, and how we choose what to learn.
"Your choosing to let your condition allow you to be disabled"
no, i acknowledge it is understood and known as a disability, and its what i have. why just because its the word disability should bother anybody is what bothers me. and thats why i question your way of thinking.
again i bring in my example of a wheelchair bound person, just because they may be classed disabled does not mean that stops them from being who they wish to be, but going by your examples and reasoning, because people can sometime overcome most of their dyslexia that to you means dyslexia itself shouldn't be labeled a disability simply because they can somewhat overcome a difficulty in their life.
Agree with mathew. At the end in my personal opinion is up to the individual what they want to consider themselves. As Dyslexia or Dysprexia still not being recognise as a disability just as a Learning education challenge. I am both and just recent diagnosed as an adult. I do think also with the right support in the education and working field both can be settled so the dyslexic or dyspraxic person dont feel inferior to others and have the same or similar equality to others with not having these challenges.
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