Dyslexia is a general term for disorders that involve difficulty in learning to read or interpret words, letters, and other symbols, but that do not affect general intelligence. Famous people with dyslexia: Albert Einstein, Tom Cruise, Orlando Bloom, Steven Spielberg, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Edison, Henry Winkler, Walt Disney, Cher, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Jennifer Aniston, and Winston Churchhill.
I met a young lady yesterday that shared with me that she was dyslexic. She said her entire life she was made fun of. Her friends and siblings would put her in front of people and ask her to spell dog. She would spell it “bog.” Then everyone would laugh at her and tell her she was dumb. She said she understands and processes things very well but she can’t speak on the discussions immediately sometimes because the words just won’t come out. She was in tears when she shared her story with me. I saw her immediately as a smart, tenacious young lady with amazing confidence and energy. She told me she is always very anxious when she has to speak to anyone but she pushes herself to do it everyday. I have never met anyone who is dyslexic that I am aware of. This is the first I have ever heard of someone with this condition and this experience. Do you or anyone you know have dyslexia? Was your experience or theirs similar to this? Let’s talk about it…
Daisy De La Fuente: “I have a friend who is trying to get her son tested for it. I may not know anyone yet but I have always known of this disorder ever since the possibility that my brother might have it but he did not, he actually had dysgraphia. Even then with different learning disabilities kids were mean to him and teachers that did not even understand, he did not enjoy school at all. Dyslexia is well known now that TX State law requires public schools to screen and test for it.”
Angie Rodriguez: “My Gabby is dyslexic has ADHD inattentiveness. Also was diagnosed with short term memory which affects her long term memory. Because of her not being able to read aloud , and pronouncing words as she reads them (backwards) she was often bullied in school. Which led to anxiety & depression at the age of 6 years old clinically diagnosed. We even had her on a suicide watch for some time at home and school because of all the taunting she went through. She’s now graduated working in an office and managing everything. I learned to advocate for her along the way and be very up front with anyone teaching her.”
Mary Svetlik Watkins: “My middle boy is dyslexic and dysgraphic. He doesn’t mix letters up but he has a hard time memorizing. It was hard getting a diagnosis because he’d taught himself ways to comprehend so he read above grade level. He has his own font when it comes to writing. He can’t spell. When you realize how hard he worked to compensate for his issues – it’s amazing.My kid has two degrees and is working on his masters. He manages a restaurant. Dyslexics are usually super smart.”
Angi Stephens Friesenhahn: “My youngest son is dyslexic and has ADHD,but he’s gifted and talented. Very smart,but school is NOT fun for him. My boyfriend is also and he had a hard time growing up. His dad expected better grades and punished him for not doing better. Everyone learns differently and people who learn easily don’t understand the struggle. Every text from my son or boyfriend has errors. Their brains go faster than they type. I can make out what they are saying. Every now and then a text becomes hilarious but not to the point where it is hurtful.”
Carol Roscoe: “I had to wait until my son was 17!!! Not good. Get the assessments done as soon as you can and get all the support you can.”
Shaynee Sherwood: “Hi! I’m dyslexic, and I have Irlen Syndrome. I’m also a former elementary school teacher. I recommend an Irlen screening first and then seeking a dyslexia diagnosis. Early intervention is the best intervention!”
Julie Denham Nielsen: “Six years old is a good way to start seriously pursuing it. Start intervention as soon as possible. Intervention before 8 or 9 has triple the growth effect as the intervention after 9 years.”
Erica Cook: “I was 8, but my mom noticed signs before school. I could memorize anything, had a university level vocabulary, but couldn’t tell cat from dog.”
Sharon Ann: “Dyslexia is seeing the world in a different way. It’s not a disability, it’s a gift. Who’s to say dyslexics are wrong?”
