Dyslexia is not just reading difficulties.
Dyslexia encompasses a large umbrella of learning disabilities including:Dyslexia - what is it?
- Dyslexia
- ADD or ADHD
- Auditory processing disorder
- Dyspraxia (balance)
- Dyscalculia (maths)
- Dysgraphia (hand writing)
Some of the most common difficulties include:
Sometimes it can include:
The trait that is most common to every dyslexic, is the propensity to lose focus.
Dyslexia is one of the most misunderstood learning styles. Most people associate Dyslexia with letter reversals and reading difficulty, however Dyslexia is simply a difference in thinking style. Dyslexics usually have a highly developed visual side. Dyslexics have the ability to perceive things three dimensionally, this works wonderfully for some things, but is a problem with the written word. Dyslexics usually have a low threshold for confusion and tend to lose focus easily. The Davis methods, work on how to focus, reduce anxiety and solve the source of the confusions.
Basic abilities all dyslexics share (From the Gift of Dyslexia)See Dyslexia Symptoms for a full list
Strengths
Dyslexics are extremely good at conceptualising and so make very strong business leaders, as they can strategise so well. They can have a natural social ability, that can help them to be extremely intuitive among people. Many entrepreneurs are dyslexic, Richard Branson being a primary example. Also Dyslexics have a natural ability to perceive things from many perspectives, meaning they can have enhanced talents and skills in areas such as creativity, design, acting, engineering and sport.
Difficulty in the education system
Unfortunately the education system has been designed primarily for word thinkers, by word thinkers. There is little understanding of visual learners in most school environments. Children are strongly encouraged to use phonics, which for most visual/kinaesthetic thinkers is more confusing than helpful. Dyslexics are 'meaning' oriented. If they can not understand what they are reading, or hearing they can not cope with it and tend to lose focus or get disoriented. It is impossible to read for meaning when "sounding out" words. This method does not work for dyslexics.
The Davis program uses a visual method for learning to read, the person increases their vocabulary, comprehension and spelling ability using simple exercises.
Words that have no meaning
If you are thinking visually and for meaning, there are many words that are used that have no picture/meaning associated with them, “ the", "what", "it" or "AND". Actually there are 217 of these trigger words. The Davis program explores the meaning of these words and the person makes a clay model for the meaning, to ensure full understanding, and to eliminate further confusion. The future use of this word does not cause the person to disorientate, as there is a subliminal meaning for the word.What if the dyslexia is left untreated?
Life with dyslexia can be frustrating and very disheartening. This can lead to stress in the workplace or at school, which in turn can lead to health problems. There are indications that dyslexia can lead to depression, drug use or to a life of crime.
The Davis dyslexia programs work with dyslexics talents, so fear of failure and low self-esteem are replaced by a willingness to take responsibility for their own lives and their learning, resulting in an increase in confidence and a better quality of life.Why do dyslexics see words strangely?
Dyslexics have the ability to perceive things three dimensionally, it is why they are so good at certain things, such as art, engineering etc. Perceiving words three dimensionally causes problems! The Davis dyslexia programs have excellent tools that the person can use to overcome these tendencies. The dyslexic will know how and when to use this talent or not.Famous Dyslexics
Many reports about dyslexia feature famous people who have achieved great things despite their dyslexia. At Davis we believe that they succeeded BECAUSE of their dyslexia, not in spite of it. Dyslexics highly visual-spatial thinking, allows for fantastic imagination, outside-the-box thinking, and intuitive problem-solving. Many, many actors and singers are dyslexic. It is said that Albert Einstein, one of the world's best-known dyslexics, developed his theory of relativity as a result of imagining himself riding on a beam of light. Picture thinking is very fast and dyslexics aren't always aware of it. Images can go through their brain at 32 pictures per second, much faster than word thinking, which can only manage 4-5 words per second.
Chek out 70 Famous Dyslexics (compiled by Popcrunch)
- When a spelling mistake is made, point out the difference between the way it was written by the person and the way it should be spelled in the dictionary.
- By writing the correct word the person can correct the spelling mistake. If they are forced to sound-out the word, confusion will prevail and no learning will take place.
- Avoid confusion at all cost, if the person gets confused, further progress at that time is impossible.
- If you notice that the person has difficulty with little words, or if mistakes in reading happen after a group of little words, they are disorienting due to confusion. The only program that treats this difficulty is the Davis program.
- If a dyslexic person asks you to spell a word, do not tell them to look up a dictionary. Dictionaries are for exploring the meaning of a word. How can you find a word in the dictionary, if you can not spell it. Write the word down for the person and make sure they understand it's meaning, either by explaining it, or by looking it up in the dictionary. Online dictionaries are often easy to use.
More tips for dyslexics are gained through the Davis Dyslexia program.
Contact Focus on learning 0414 013 490, to arrange a consultation. You can not afford to let Dyslexia go untreated. To reach the full potential, learn to control the dyslexic gift.
