Dyslexia Myths

 

Dyslexia Myths 

In earlier blogs, we’ve introduced Dyslexia and delved into what exactly is Dyslexia as well as some red flags that can indicate that your child or ward may need to be tested for Dyslexia. However, as with most intellectual/learning challenges, there is a stigma associated with being Dyslexic. 

In addition to their caregivers or relatives, people with learning difficulties frequently encounter hostile attitudes and behaviors from others. Given the low employment rate of persons with intellectual and  learning difficulties, employment barriers are a typical problem. They may also be excluded from social and educational activities due to the stigma associated with persons who have Dyslexia. 

What are some things you’ve heard about Dyslexia? What do you think about Dyslexia? Below we’ll be discussing some popular Dyslexia Myths - maybe something you heard about Dyslexia is on the list! 

1. Persons with Dyslexia lack understanding - there is a popular misconception that persons with Dyslexia lack understanding and aren’t able to process general information, have conversations or form individual thoughts and ideas. It is important to know that Dyslexia affects different persons differently and while persons with Dyslexia may struggle with reading-related skills, this may not affect their cognition, their ability to understand spoken words and engage in meaningful conversations as well as form individual opinions

2. Inadequate home reading is a contributing factor in Dyslexia. All children should read at home and be introduced to reading, it is a fact. However, Dyslexia is not caused by a lack of exposure. It is a neurological disorder. People who don't know your family can believe incorrectly that you aren't reading to your child enough. You might have to explain that Dyslexia is brought on by variations in how the brain works.

3. They need glasses - some persons believe that people with Dyslexia should simply get glasses and all their problems will cease. Because Dyslexia isn’t an issue related to the function of the eyes, simply attaining glasses wouldn’t ‘get rid’ of the problem. 

4. Persons with Dyslexia are lazy and need to study more - Since dyslexia is a neurological disorder, it has nothing to do with willpower. The Dyslexic brain just processes differently. In actuality, many Dyslexic children must work harder than their peers. Dyslexic children and adults frequently discover alternate methods of learning and create their own learning, working, and achievement strategies. 

Dyslexia already provides challenges to the individual, we can make a difference by simply educating others on Dyslexia in attempt to remove or decrease the stigma associated with Dyslexia. 

At The Caribbean Academy for Reading Intervention and Development, we offer an Individual Reading Assistance Program that assists struggling readers to build skills in: 

• Sight words and high-frequency words 

• Sounds recognition 

• Reading comprehension 

• Letter and word recognition 

• Phonics and phonemic awareness 

Our Reading Assistance Programme is designed to teach the foundational skills of reading to children with significant academic challenges, empowering them to achieve grade-level proficiency. Our dedicated tutors help struggling readers understand the basic mechanics of reading and help them develop critical reading skills that will help them develop a lifelong love of reading. 

Target Audience: Struggling readers between the ages of 5 years to 10 years. 

Persons interested in our Individual Reading Assistance Program can contact us at 1-868-474-9819. 

Chrystal Murray has a passion for imparting knowledge and adding value to the lives of others.

She has been an educator for over 14 years. She holds a B.A. Degree in History and Education from the University of the West Indies (UWI). She also possesses several professional certificates in Understanding Dyslexia, Successful Educational Strategies for Children with Special Needs, and Supporting Multiple Abilities through Differentiation just to name a few. She is also certified in Counselling Youth and Children and Parenting the Adolescent. Chrystal is the Founder and Principal of two academic institutions, the Caribbean Ivy League Academy and the Caribbean Academy for Reading Intervention and Development. She founded the Caribbean Academy for Reading Intervention and Development where she works assiduously with children who have reading challenges. She also uses this platform to motivate, inspire and help build confidence in the children who are in her care.

 

Chrystal Murray 

Reading Interventionist 

1-868-474-9819