Dyslexia

Dyslexics are believed to be slow learners, mentally retarded, slow in comprehension, emotionally disturbed and totally unfit for learning. But Dyslexics have a problem only in reading, writing, spelling and sometimes maths, but not in thinking.

With the lack of awareness about Dyslexia among teachers and parents, has often lead to the child being branded as "Idiot" or "lazy". This effects the children emotionally. They develop low self-esteem and school becomes a horrible place for them.

"so what is Dyslexia?

The word 'dyslexia' comes from the Greek and means 'difficulty with words'.

Dyslexia is a combination of abilities and difficulties that affect the learning process in one or more of reading, spelling and writing. It is a persistent condition. Accompanying weaknesses may be identified in areas of:

>speed of processing;
>short term memory;
>organisation;
>sequencing; and
>spoken language and motor skills.

There may also be difficulties with auditory and/or visual perception. It is particularly related to mastering and using written language, which may include alphabetic, numeric and musical notation.

Dyslexia can occur despite normal intellectual ability and teaching. It is constitutional in origin, part of one’s make-up and independent of socio-economic or language background.

Some learners have very well developed creative skills and/or interpersonal skills, others have strong oral skills. Some have no outstanding talents. All have strengths.

Possible difficulties.

>Reading hesitantly.
>Misreading, making understanding difficult.
>Difficulty with sequences, e.g. getting dates in order.
>Poor organisation or time management.
>Difficulty organising thoughts clearly.
>Erratic spelling.

Possible strengths.


>Innovative thinkers.
>Excellent trouble shooters.
>Intuitive problem solving.
>Creative in many different ways.
>Lateral thinkers."

(from the The British Dyslexia Association website clickont the title of the page for the link)


People with Dyslexia may show one or more of the following symptoms:

GENERAL

>Appears bright and articulate, but unable to read, write or spell at appropriate level
>Labelled lazy, dumb, immature, or with a behavioural problem
>Disorderly or compulsive behaviour
>Poor self-esteem; covers up weaknesses with ingenious compensatory strategies; easily frustrated
>Daydreamer; gets lost easily; poor time sense
>Limited attention span
>Learns best through experience, observation and visual aids

READING

>Skips or misreads words and lines
>Poor comprehension

HEARING AND SPEECH

>Easily distracted
>Difficulty putting thoughts into words
>Mispronounces words or stammers

WRITING

>Trouble with writing or copying; unusual pen grip, often presses too hard
>Handwriting varies or is illegible

MATHS

>Difficulty remembering tables or other sequential information
>Knows answers, but fails to work them out on paper
>Counting on fingers
>Difficulty with word problems

Here are the basic abilities all dyslexics share:

>They can utilize the brain's ability to alter and create perceptions (the primary ability).
>They are highly aware of the environment.
>They are more curious than average.
>They think mainly in pictures instead of words.
>They are highly intuitive and insightful.
>They think and perceive multi-dimensionally (using all the senses).
>They can experience thought as reality.
>They have vivid imagination.

Dyslexics have above average intelligence?

Here is a list of some of the people who seemed to have been dyslexic:
>Leonardo DaVinci who had reversals in his manuscripts.
>W. Woolworth "who did not have sense".
>George Patton who had spelling, writing, reading prblems.
>Auguste Rodin who had math, spelling, and language problems.
>Winston Churchill.
>Harvey Cushing, a brain surgeon, who had spelling, and other language problems
>Fred Astaire
>Enrico Caruso
>Albert Einstein was not accepted at college, because he failed his EFL entrance exam.


Famous People with the Gift of Dyslexia

Here are the names of some of the many individuals who are dyslexic, or had symptoms of dyslexia or related learning problems:


Actors & Entertainers:

Harry Andersen, Fred Astaire, Harry Belafonte, George Burns, Enrico Caruso, Tom Cruise, Dave Foley, Harrison Ford, Danny Glover, Tracey Gold, Whoopi Goldberg, Susan Hampshire, Jay Leno, River Phoenix, Edward James Olmos, Jill Pages, Oliver Reed, Billy Bob Thornton, Tom Smothers, Robin Williams, Henry Winkler

Artists, Designers, & Architects:

Ansel Adams, David Bailey-photographers, Leonardo da Vinci, Ignacio Gomez-muralist, Pablo Picasso-artist, Robert Rauschenberg, Auguste Rodin-sculptor, Bennett Strahan, Robert Toth, Jørn Utzon-architect (designed Sydney Opera house), Andy Warhol.

Athletes:

Muhammad Ali-World Heavyweight Champion Boxer, Duncan Goodhew-Olympic Swimmer, Bruce Jenner-Olympic Decathlon Gold Medalist, Magic Johnson, Greg Louganis-Olypmic diving champion, Bob May-golfer, Diamond Dallas Page-World Wrestling Champion, Steve Redgrave-Olympic Gold Medalist (rowing), Nolan Ryan-Baseball Pitcher for the Texas Rangers, Jackie Stewart-race car driver.

Entrepreneurs & Business Leaders:

Richard Branson-Founder of Virgin Enterprises, John T Chambers-CEO of Cisco Systems, Henry Ford, William Hewlett-Co-Founder, Hewlett-Packard, Craig McCaw-Telecommunications Visionary, Paul J. Orfalea-founder of Kinko's, Charles Schwab-Investor, Ted Turner-Turner Broadcasting Systems, F.W. Woolworth

Filmmakers:

Nicole Betancourt-Emmy-winning filmmaker, Walt Disney, Søren Kragh Jacobsen-Danish film director)

Inventors & Scientists:

Ann Bancroft-Arctic Explorer, Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Michael Faraday, Dr. James Lovelock, John R. Horner-Paleontologist, Archer Martin-Chemist (1952 Nobel Laureate), John Robert Skoyles-Brain Researcher, Werner Von Braun

Law & Justice:

David Boies-Attorney, Erin Brockovich-Investigator, Jeffrey H. Gallet-Judge

Military Heroes:

Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, George Patton

Musicians & Vocalists:

Cher, Brad Little, John Lennon, Nigel Kennedy-violinist, Bob Weir-Grateful Dead guitarist

Physicians & Surgeons

Harvey Cushing-Surgeon, Fred Epstein-Neurosurgeon

Political Leaders:
Winston Churchill, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Michael Heseltine, Andrew Jackson, Thomas Jefferson, John F. Kennedy, Nelson Rockefeller, Paul Wellstone-US Senator, Woodrow Wilson, George Washington

Writers:

Hans Christian Andersen, Avi, Jeanne Betancourt-"My Name is Brain Brian", Steven Cannell-television writer & novelist, Agatha Christie, Fannie Flagg-"Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe", Gustave Flaubert, Patricia Polacco-Children's Author and Illustrator, Elizabeth Daniels Squire-mystery novels, Bernie Taylor-Big Trout, Victor Villaseñor, W.B. Yeats-poet