Week 20 - 04/03/14 - This way please...

What struck me about this week, was how exhausting and frustrating it must be to have Dyslexia. In fact, just sharing in a few brief exercises ( writing in Japanese ) opened my eyes and I would like to think it will make me more accommodating.

This quote by Geoff Petty gave me a small window into the continuing ordeal that many individuals with Dyslexia have...

So much that I take for granted is just missing for Dyslexic people. It's not that they are less intelligent, far from it, in fact it could be argued that to circumnavigate such a hindrance to learning and still become successful is to be lauded. Still, despite some successes, educators can't rest on their laurels.

Not everyone is going to want to shout from the roof tops... "oh, by the way. I'm Dyslexic..." .So It's critical that a tutor maintains open lines of communication with their students and keeps the eyes open for some of the indicators.

• Reading difficulties.
• Spelling.
• Behavioural issues - frustration based.
• Disorganised.
• Speaking.
• Long and Short term memory.
• Phonological processing.
• Sequencing.

What are some things we can do in our classes?

Petty,G. (2009). The learner's practical and emotional needs. In: Teaching Today a practical guide. Cheltnam: Nelson Thornes Ltd. 88-89.

Later we looked at Mental Health Issues - for a comprehensive explanation of the numerous Mental health conditions see MIND

We need to look for indicators... Don't try to solve the problems all yourself, whatever the issue. Tutors are there to create a welcoming, safe environment and be a sign post so as to point people in the direction of the specialist help that they may need.