School of Thought

Dyslexic Journey

  

Tweet  

  

  

 delicious  

  

Dyslexic Journey
Jared Setnar, Upper School Division Director

Dyslexia means something different to each person. Many think that it merely causes difficulty in learning to read. Others perceive it as a condition that one grows out of, like teething or a growth spurt. As an adult who has been dealing with his own dyslexia for over twenty years, there are a few things I have learned along the way which can be summarized in three words: Understanding, Embracing and Advocating.

Understanding: Dyslexia just isn’t about reading. While many dyslexics have difficulty in reading and phonemic awareness, there are other difficulties that people who have dyslexia are forced to deal with. Math reasoning and spatial perception are two issues that I struggle with daily. Will I ever be able to find the value of X, or catch a ball that is thrown at me? Nope, and I’m okay with that.

Embracing: This is the tough part; how long did it take me to come to terms with my dyslexia and make light of a situation involving math or catching a ball? Hmm, about fifteen years... For many the road to not just accepting, but embracing their dyslexia can be difficult. The key to coming to terms with having dyslexia is to understand that it gives a perspective to the world that not many people have.  It took me a long time to realize that having dyslexia doesn’t stop me from becoming the person I want to, rather it makes me the person I am.

Advocating: As if embracing your dyslexia wasn’t hard enough, now you have to talk about it to everyone! Although this seems daunting, it is necessary to speak up for yourself so that you can get the help that you need and deserve. This is essential when transitioning to college or the work place.

Dyslexia is a journey, and as such it’s a different journey for each person that takes it; but it is a journey worth taking. Because of the struggles I had as a child, I am able to enrich my lessons to include the learning styles of all of my students. Having dyslexia has certainly made me a better teacher, as well as an advocate for students who are embracing their own learning styles.

Feel free to share your journey with us.

Helping your child with dyslexia: fox43tv.com