Over the past two decades, I've been frequently asked about dyslexia, and as a dyslexic individual myself, I often find it rather challenging to articulate precisely what dyslexia entails. Dyslexia affects each of us differently, and while some might simplistically associate it with difficulties in reading and writing, with the misconception that it's solely about reversing letters, the reality is that dyslexia encompasses far more than these stereotypes.
The British Dyslexia Association defines dyslexia as a specific learning difficulty primarily impacting reading and writing skills, yet its effects extend beyond these domains. Dyslexia fundamentally revolves around information processing. Dyslexic individuals may encounter challenges in processing and retaining information they perceive or hear, which can impede the learning process and the acquisition of literacy skills. Additionally, dyslexia can also influence other aspects of life, including organisational skills.
Within my experience of dyslexia, I can undoubtedly identify several traits, ranging from struggles with spelling and handwriting to issues with memory and organisation. My aim is to dispel the myths surrounding dyslexia.
Myth 1: Dyslexic individuals are unintelligent or lacking in intelligence. I've encountered both young people and adults making such unfounded claims, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Dyslexia doesn't correlate with intelligence; instead, dyslexic individuals possess a unique way of thinking. As the definition mentioned earlier suggests, the difficulty lies in processing information. Therefore, I would advise against putting yourself down because, in certain aspects, your intelligence is different, shaped by the unique strengths you possess.
Myth 2: If you can read, you can't be dyslexic. Dyslexia exists on a spectrum, and every dyslexic individual is distinct. In my case, I struggle with decoding and reading automatically, but others may not face this particular challenge while still experiencing difficulties with spelling. Not all dyslexic individuals have the same reading abilities.
Myth 3: Dyslexic individuals are just lazy. I've heard this assertion on numerous occasions, though not as frequently nowadays. Nevertheless, this is a baseless accusation. Dyslexia encompasses a range of factors, including anxiety and stress. When your body struggles with a task, it may react with tension and procrastination as a way to regulate itself. This might erroneously be interpreted as laziness. In reality, many dyslexics, including myself, put in extra effort each day to excel and feel a sense of accomplishment, like penning this blog.
Myth 4: Dyslexia can be outgrown with age. Dyslexia is a lifelong condition that impacts day-to-day life. It's present from birth and remains a constant throughout one's life. Dyslexics develop strategies and solutions to navigate the challenges they encounter, and if fortunate, they also uncover their own strengths and heightened abilities. These strengths enable them to pursue their goals.
Dyslexia can present difficulties and fluctuations, with good days and challenging days. Understanding one's own dyslexia, recognising one's strengths and embracing differences, can pave the way to success. Being open and honest with friends, family, and colleagues about where you thrive and what you require support with can boost self-esteem and ultimately propel you towards success.
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