I think Dyslexia is a gift.
I’m dyslexic.
I was diagnosed when I was 6 years old. My mom was so relieved to have a reason that I couldn’t read.
For me, Dyslexia was never a bad thing. It was and is just a part of who I am. Dyslexia was a gift for me.
As I grew older, a lot of my friends were diagnosed with Dyslexia. They all talked about it like it was the end of their story. My friends complained about the things they couldn’t or would never be able to do. They excused their bad grades because they could never do more.
I always thought it was cool how I could make objects move and change to my will by looking at them. I’ve always throughthat my ability to see both sides to every argument and object was an advantage. My friends didn’t think that way. They saw Dyslexia as a curse, something shameful.
I see Dyslexia as a gift.
No, that’s not entirely it. Dyselxia, for me, is more like a muscle. It’s a muscle I can flex and relax as I need.
Even as an adult with Dyslexia, I often look at an object and mentally turn it and change it. It’s a simple exercise that makes stopping the letters and numbers from moving much easier. My Dyslexia is a muscle that, when I exercise it regularly, is something I can have control over.
As I start this journey to be a helpful teacher coach, I wanted to start with Dyslexia, and I was not disappointed.
The Gift of Dyslexia by Ronald Davis
First, cudos to the author for printing in large font, which is super reader friendly. The book won points from me right off the bat for that. The book itself is an easy read, with short chapters and little technical langauge. More importantly to me, it have lots of examples to explain the ideas. Imagery is my friend, and I never had a doubt about what he was saying.
Second, after only a few pages, I felt like the author was describing me….I told my husband about 20 times that he needs to read the book if he wasnt to understand me. He hasn’t yet…possibly because the prospect frightens him…)
I didn’t bother trying the alignment techniques because I’ve discovered my own ways to do them. But I can see how the strategies could help others dyslexics.
I don’t agree with everything in the book. I think, based on my experiences, that he over-generalizes symptoms, But, the heart of the book, I feel, is a dyslexic just trying to be understood. He knows he is different. I know I’m different. But, the difference isn’t bad. The difference is just what makes us….us.
I think Dyslexia is a gift. It’s part of who I am. I’m dyslexic and proud of it.
If you want to read the book, I have linked it…just click on the picture. I’m NOT an Amazon Affiliate, just a teacher wanting to learn more and improve education.
Also, I have created a freebie to help you find the strengths in your students. Click HERE to be taken to my store to download it today!