Last week Lisa Campbell wrote about her daughter’s struggle to learn to read. Maria was diagnosed with dyslexia in grade two – but only after her parents did their own research and paid for testing themselves.
Luckily we caught it early. Cheryl, the Executive Director of KC Dyslexic Learning Centre in Winnipeg, told us her story. Her daughter struggled all through elementary school. She was finally diagnosed in grade six but no one in the school system had the skills needed to teach a student with dyslexia. Cheryl, herself, got training to teach her daughter to read which lead to her starting her centre.
My husband and I started reading everything we could about dyslexia. Here’s what we found out. 1
- Research suggests 10% to 15% of people in the US have dyslexia.
- There are no statistics for Canada. In fact Canada is way behind in dyslexia research and studies.
- Dyslexia is not tied to intelligence – Einstein was dyslexic and had an estimated IQ (Intelligence Quotient) of 160.
- Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability or disorder.
- Appropriate teaching methods help people with dyslexia learn to read.
- Dyslexia runs in families; parents with dyslexia are likely to have children with dyslexia.
When we realized that dyslexia is hereditary, my husband and I reflected on our own childhood learning journeys. We both realized that we struggled as readers, and that our spelling was atrocious. Could we both have a mild version of dyslexia? I looked back to my school report cards and read over and over how my reading skills were below average until about grade five. However, I excelled at other things like math and science. Could it be?
We are so fortunate to have figured this out early on for Maria. Trained professionals now tutor her twice a week. Her reading improves weekly. In only five months, she is reading at or above grade level! It’s great to see her confidence soar as she shares her reading with her younger brother.
I've told parents, grandparents and caregivers for 15 years that the number one thing you can do with your children is read to them. Read every day no matter what. This is the number one factor that can help your child be successful in kindergarten.
I still believe this, but now I qualify my message when I talk to people. I tell them Maria’s story. I tell them that sometimes we need to intervene if we see problems. I tell them to trust their own instincts. I tell them that they are their children’s most important teachers, and advocates.
-- Lisa Campbell
