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Do you have a child with dyslexia? This disability linked to reading suffers from many preconceived ideas. Here are seven of them, to be deconstructed to relieve all those affected by them.
Belonging to the family of dys disorders, such as dysorthography, dyscalculia or dysphasia, dyslexia is a disorder linked to reading. The child reverses the sounds and letters. He also makes spelling mistakes in writing and often has illegible handwriting.
There are different types of dyslexia
There are three main forms of dyslexia: phonological dyslexia, surface dyslexia and mixed dyslexia, which is a mixture of the first two.
- Phonological dyslexia: this is the most common. It causes slowness in reading and difficulty recognizing new words;
- Superficial dyslexia: it manifests itself as a selective handicap in the ability to read words with irregular pronunciation;
- Mixed dyslexia: it combines the difficulties of the two previous types.
For people affected by dyslexia, whatever the type, communicating information, retaining it, understanding it or modifying it is difficult.
Dyslexia is surrounded by false beliefs
But that’s not all. Dyslexia is also often accompanied by preconceived ideas about children who suffer from it. Here are seven, reported by Nadine Gaab, education specialist interviewed by The Telegraph.
Dyslexics are lazy
Contrary to what one might think at first, a dyslexic child is not dyslexic due to lack of will or effort. On the contrary, according to the expert, he is working very hard to learn to read. But the classic learning method is not suited to his profile. He needs a more specific approach to learning to read correctly.
Dyslexia is linked to low intelligence
On the contrary, “many dyslexics have normal, or even above average, intellectual abilities“, assures the expert. Moreover, an assessment of dyslexia often reveals unsuspected skills in the child.
It is better to wait before detecting dyslexia
Like many other disorders, it is best to detect dyslexia as early as possible. According to Professor John Gabrieli, early interventions are more effective in order to better support children in their learning.
Dyslexia requires intensive educational support
Simple adjustments can be enough to facilitate the learning of a dyslexic child. The teacher’s involvement is also essential so that the student can progress at his own pace.
Dyslexia makes you more creative
We imagine that these children, not being comfortable with reading, prefer to turn to other disciplines, notably the arts. If there is indeed a higher proportion of dyslexic students in certain artistic activities, this does not mean that “dyslexia makes you creative”.
Dyslexic students have difficulties
This is still a misconception. Generally, universities are well prepared to support dyslexic students. Dr. Debbie Gooch, a developmental psychology instructor, explains that “many institutions are putting in place appropriate resources“, such as course recordings or providing them in advance.
Students are looking to benefit from third-time exams
Dyslexia allows you to obtain certain rights during exams, such as having third-time work. This means that the student will be able to have additional time compared to his classmates in order to complete his test more comfortably. But above all, making a real diagnosis allows the child to regain self-confidence, to work more calmly throughout their schooling.
Slide: 10 keys to helping a dyslexic child