Defining Dyslexia...Disability or Learning Difference?

I read this op-ed earlier this year and found it thought provoking.

Defining My Dyslexia

October is ...Dyslexia Awareness Month!

I know, I know, October is Everything-Awareness-Month.   But I resurrected the blog for the month as my tiny little outreach project for dyslexia.  There are a lot of positive things going on in the world of dyslexia right now, and that is what I will focus in this month.  If you have any ideas for the blog or questions about dyslexia, let me know and I will try to answer them.

I spoke on the phone the other day to the mom of a first grader who is struggling and as she cried and talked, it brought me right back to where I was when I had a first grader who struggled (and I cried).

That little fellow in the orange cap couldn't name all the letters of the alphabet, spell his own name aloud consistently, or read anything. Nada. He got by on his charm and extreme cuteness...

High school has been bumpy, I will not lie.  He has lost pages and pages of homework, bombed tests when "all the information fell out" of his head - Spanish was painful.  Math? We won't mention it.  The ACT is a nightmare - when other teens say, "I did terrible and only got a 25", mine just rolls his eyes, keeps his score to himself, and pretends to shrug it off.  He has taken it 6 times, has extra time and studies, and still only dreams of a 25.

  Now, he is a senior in high school, and other than the ACT struggle, he is hitting his stride.  He is dual enrolled in college English and getting an A (although his first drafts are grammatically horrifying, he and his GINGER software are working well together). He audits a Developmental Psychology class from a nearby University and HAS THE HIGEST AVERAGE IN THE CLASS! 

 Then the other day this happened...

His college acceptance letter! I surprised myself by getting all choked up.  It was like the last remnant of that long, frustrating struggle was washed away.  I am pretty sure I am happier than he is about it!

It is nice to be on the other side of dyslexia, where I don't have to worry so much, cry so much, fight so hard.  If you are "in the midst" of it now,  I promise, it will get better.

Pam

Theme Thursday - PLAY

I teach kids who struggle and listen to the parents that love them stress out.  Being TCAP time in Tennessee, I am shocked every year at the amount of pressure the KIDS themselves feel to perform on these tests. It makes me sad.  I had a 4th grader cry last night during tutoring.  Big, hot, angry tears because he doesn't know anymore what is TCAP practice math or "real math" that counts for a grade and he is frustrated.

Thanks to the phenomenal Dr. Shula Chernoff, Professor Emeritus at Southern Connecticut State University, her passionate lectures to us on the importance of developmentally appropriate play and toys have been ingrained in my DNA.  To this day, I must. give. sand/water tables to 2 year olds.  Look how cute the girls are as they play...um, I mean work, Dr. Chernoff, I mean work.

What I perceive education to be.....

"Play is the work of children."  Jean Piaget

Parallel play, science, language skills, math, visual discrimination, hand-eye coordination, fine-motor skills....that's a lotta fun...I mean, work. Work!

Where I fear education is heading...
High-stakes testing--which this is, as it will slap labels on five-year-olds--is more than just casually popping in an academic thermometer on a given day to see how a kid is doing. It creates a culture that distorts curriculum, hijacks school resources, and robs young children of their precious days of discovery...Dan Brown

Hey little kids, solve all your family's problems so they don't interfere with The Test!  And if you can't, worry about it!  And teachers, scrap all the other stuff your kids may need, so they can be prepared for The Test.

Clan Donaldson: Theme Thursday: Boys

Clan Donaldson: Theme Thursday: Boys

Boy Cubs

It is always fun to play with Cari Donaldson of Clan Donaldson.  I miss playing with her in real life since she had the audacity to get up and move to CONNECTICUT!

She stokes my artistic spirit which I am afraid stays dormant most of the time now.....

Theme Thursday is a subject I know a lot a lot about - BOYS! And what is cuter than a cub scout....

Here is the original....

Ryan's most amazing photobomb!  And his big brother ( on the left) is obviously used to it and doesn't flinch....

Here is is again, cropped, brightened a bit and given a Sketchedy frame from the picmonkey.com site where I edit and jazz up my photos.

Here is is again, with a little grain for effect.....

And my favorite part....doctoring!

Boys are fun.

Grow.  Sniff.

Yes, YOU need to come to RISE!

I am popping on to share information about the Tennessee branch of the IDA's terrific annual conference.   I am heading to Knoxville this weekend to iron out all the little pre-conference details with the other board members and thought I would spread the word.

RISE CONFERENCE


Our conference is our biggest outreach to parents, teachers, paraprofessionals and anyone else affected by dyslexia and its related learning issues.  There are workshops for the new, nervous parents and workshops for trained professionals - everyone can find something to expand their awareness and find out ways to help the people in their lives.

Knoxville.

Who needs to come?

Look at all the places within 300 miles!  An easy drive to beautiful Knoxville!

And if you are wondering if it would be worth your time and money, spend a few minutes checking out this information presented on his website by our keynote speaker, David Boulton ( "Children of the Code")

Why should I care about reading?


Please share with any teacher or parent you may know who would be interested.  They can email me if they have questions.

Pam