I am still shocked at how many school system professionals and community members do not know what dyslexia is. I understand that it was NOT taught in school, but it is not a new diagnosis AND it is common (impacting close to 20% of the population).
Our family has personally experienced these MYTHS being told to us in school and out in the community and it is frustrating. In life, I believe to try and treat people with kindness and take the high road when you can, so instead of having a negative response, I try to educate.
Here are some of the BIGGEST myths:
READING AND WRITING LETTERS BACKWARDS AND SEEING LETTERS BACKWARDS IS THE MAIN SIGN OF DYSLEXIA
Yes, some kids with dyslexia have trouble with reversals, especially letters like b, d, p, q. However, this is also very normal in typical development even into 2nd grade. This is because b, d, p, and q are essentially the same letter, they are just flipped and turned. Dyslexia is NOT a visual diagnosis, so they are not seeing/reading letters backwards.
THEY JUST NEED TO TRY HARDER
This one really makes me upset and though I have not been told this directly, this has been stated indirectly to our family. In language like, your child is just a "late bloomer." Or "maybe they are not putting in full effort." How completely opposite of what a child with dyslexia is really doing! The brain of a person with dyslexia functions differently. They are using MORE of their brain to try and read, which means they are working HARDER! Many students with dyslexia have never-ending amounts of "try" and want to succeed. They are smart kids. Reseach shows that learning to read correctly can also change the brain over time. It is the TYPE OF INSTRUCTION that makes a difference to a child with dyslexia, NOT THEIR EFFORT! So, the next time someone makes this comment, please educate them that the school/program needs to try harder NOT the student!
DYSLEXIA IS CURED WHEN THE STUDENT LEARNS TO READ
First, let me remind anyone who is reading that dyslexia is NOT a bad thing. It is simply a different way a person's brain processes information related to reading and writing. The brain is just wired differently reading. People with dyslexia have many amazing strengths in the way their brain works. It is a brain difference and is not CURED, nor something that should be cured. However, with proper reading instruction, reading and writing challenges can be overcome, made easier, and many people with dyslexia can learn to read at a functional level.
YOU CANNOT DIAGNOSE UNTIL 2ND OR 3RD GRADE
Our family has personal experience with this myth as this is what I was told when I questioned dyslexia in Dane when he was in kindergarten. Thankfully, I worked in the early intervention setting at the time and knew that sounded fishy. Early signs of dyslexia can be observed in pre-school or even earlier.
There are many other myths, but these were the ones that impacted our family the most.
What other myths have you heard?
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