Dyslexia Show: It happened and it was wonderful!
The Dyslexia Show doors opened on the 25th March 2022. Find out what happened below:
Arran Smith addressing delegates at The Dyslexia Show 2022.
In March 2020, the dyslexia community, here in the UK, were looking forward to the opening of Europe's largest Dyslexia specific conference and exhibition, The Dyslexia Show. The Dyslexia Show promised two days of keynote talks, workshops and an exhibition of dyslexia focused products and services with a focus on Education, Parents, and the Workplace.
Arran Smith and his team were poised…
Then the Pandemic hit!
The Dyslexia Show got postponed to March 2021.
The Pandemic did not slow and the Dyslexia Show then got postponed again to 2022.
Last week, over the 25th and 26th March 2022, it finally happened.
A lot has happened in two years, and we saw an even bigger exhibition, more talks and a satisfying level of attendance considering that at time of writing COVID restrictions had been lifted and people were just starting to get used to ‘living with the virus.’
The show itself, was opened by Matt Hancock MP, the author of The Dyslexia Screening Bill aimed at providing screening of all children with dyslexia as well as providing better teacher training on Special Educational Needs.
Matt Hancock MP addressing delegates at the Dyslexia Show 2022.
After the cutting of the ribbon, Matt Hancock gave an address about his own experience of dyslexia and how he was diagnosed with dyslexia whilst at university having used his skills in maths and physics as well as good interviewing skills to secure a place. Upon having to draft essays his tutor told him that whilst he clearly knew his subjects, he struggled to communicate his learning on paper and thus arranged an assessment for him. He went on to talk about how he did not tell people about his dyslexia until more recently when he was encouraged to be open and be a positive role model for dyslexia especially as he has had a successful career initially with the Bank of England as an economist and then onwards with a political career.
Dyslexia does not have to hold people back, but the support is essential for people with dyslexia to reach higher levels of attainment.
After the opening the Dyslexia Show, the exhibition and seminars got underway and the feeling in the National Exhibition Centre was one of excitement as the dyslexia community reconnected again.
Matt Gower addressing the speaker and exhibitors at The Dyslexia Show 2022
On day one, I delivered two talks, one for Parents about how to boost self-esteem and the other to parents and teachers about using emotional intelligence to build better relationships in support of children and young people with dyslexia.
Image courtesy of The Dyslexia Show
It struck me how eager the visiting parents were to find out more information and get resources to help their children especially after the Pandemic as the Education System continues to find a way to settle down again after such disruption.
Not a complete surprise given the conversations that I have with my own Parenting Dyslexia community.
Whilst I only visited for the first day, I was delighted to hear that the organisers were planning to do the Dyslexia Show again in 2023.
In summary, this first of a kind conference, delivered more than the organisers set out to do. Pioneering, courageous, with a dedication to spread awareness and knowledge about dyslexia and supporting resources, this conference, has given parents, employees and teachers hope and empowerment as they go back to their own lives.