Rejecting the Genius of Dyslexia

Edison... Churchill... Eleanor Roosevelt... Einstein... DaVinci... Stevie Wonder...
Imagine rejecting Einstein for a job because his CV didn't look neat.
If so many of our #heroes were (and are) #dyslexic, why do we reject them?
In other words, if #dyslexia can be associated with over-achievement, why does society punish itself by demanding they fit in with non-dyslexic ways?
Don't our businesses, societies, and organisations, want those with a different perspective on the world? Imagine how much better we could live, if we accept those alternative views!
For more free video content on dyslexia and related issues, please visit: www.dyslexiabyt...
And: www.dyslexiabyt...
For training, consultancy, and keynotes on #dyslexia, #neurodivergence, and #SEN issues, contact us at: dyslexiabytes....
For more information on dyslexia, please explore the Dyslexia Bytes website here: www.dyslexiabyt...
And why not follow us on Twitter? @BytesDyslexia - / bytesdyslexia
(And please don't forget to hit the 'like' button on this video, and subscribe to the KZbin channel for updates on dyslexia and more)

[@roberttoth7892]

Dyslexia + Intuition + Highly Creative right brain = Success Story for me

[@DyslexiaBytes]

Quite right! And yet how many people might have overlooked you through narrow-minded thinking??? I'm really glad of your success story. If you'd like to share, please do.

[@readingroomcafeproject]

I got so sick of being let down by other people (employers, tutors, lecturers) that after I finished my masters I decided to go freelance. Now I only work for people who choose me knowing about my dyslexia (often because if my dyslexia) and it's made a huge difference.

[@DyslexiaBytes]

That's fantastic - but so frustrating that you had to go through that time of rejection and having to try to fit into other people's boxes.

[@michaelflynn8505]

Great post Martin

[@raymond3109]

Gradually, I am getting to know and understand more about dyslexic children. From what I have learnt so far, dyslexics are just not treated the right way by many teachers. The love for them does not exist. They are seen as students just worrying and slowing down the normal classroom activities. It feels too bad.

[@DyslexiaBytes]

I couldn't agree more, Ray. My own experiences are testimony to this, and it's extremely rare that you'll speak to dyslexic adults who have positive memories of school. Most of us have been left traumatised in some way. My own example - and I say this not to boast but to show what's going on - is that I was bottom of the class, literally, in almost everything at school. I was told by my classmates that I was stupid, I was told (to my face!) by teachers that I wasn't clever, I was "told" by my grades that I had no academic ability. I was held back a year twice. I dropped out and went back again. And now I have a PhD. As I say, this isn't to boast or say "look how clever I am", because that's not what a PhD shows (it mainly shows your levels of stubborn pig-headedness!). I say it as strong evidence that my failure at school wasn't my fault - it was because people didn't know how to teach me. And that's almost endemic throughout world education.

[@raymond3109]

@@DyslexiaBytes yes! Exactly! “People don’t know how to teach especially students who perform below average. Most think they are not serious. We fail to know them and blame them for their failure. We are always helping outstanding students; giving them more attention and ignoring those who need the help. It's sad 😔 very sad!

[@bobsmidt1451]

As a dyslexic biochemist I have found I am more comfortable in start-ups than established biotech companies. I suspect many dyslexics would agree

[@DyslexiaBytes]

I think you're spot on. Personally, I've never felt comfortable working for larger companies. I do much of my work freelance because it just... feels better.

[@kopitegs]

I was asked to leave school on first legal day because I was challenged. At 30 the owners of Lloyd chemist at the time would speak to me for advice on business. The CEO of British America tobacco would have talks with me about thing and comment on how wise and intelligent I was. Only reason I say that is to show am not retarded.

[@DyslexiaBytes]

It seems to show the exact opposite - that your skills have been sought out at the highest level. I get so frustrated when people are made to feel they have to justify themselves (I've experienced that myself, and there are people extremely close to me who are experiencing it now, at school). You're dyslexic, which means you're gifted in so many areas. As you know, reading and writing aren't everything!

[@sarah4education873]

Hi my son is dyslexic and he goes to an American school with huge ELA an eureka math curriculum. Things are really difficult for him. I really want to know if there is an alternate way to teach him math. He is in grade 4. He is excellent is designing projects. He is a problem solver and is super with emotional intelligence.. Understanding other people's emotional needs. Plz suggest something if u know. I myself am an elementary school teacher.. Ur advice would help me to facilitate other students aswell. Thnks

[@DyslexiaBytes]

There are other ways, yes. I could never (still can't) understand maths, but I interview someone for this channel (I'll be releasing the video in a couple of weeks so please watch out for it) who has a technique for teaching maths, it's brilliant. I'd also recommend leaving the standard maths things behind for a while, like getting the equations right, and instead focus on the logic of maths. I remember seeing, for the first time, various geometric shapes and their angles, and for once thinking "oh yes, *that's* it!" - until then it hadn't occurred to me that maths "fitted together" so well. And make sure that a lot of how it's taught involves real things. You know, instead of 2+2=4, you have two apples plus two apples equalling four apples. Your son might be a little old for that, but when that's applied to angles ("jigsaw piece pie charts", for example) it makes more sense. Make maths as physical, sensory, and interactive as possible, while keeping it real. Too much maths is abstract and appears to be gibberish. That's a terrible way to teach maths! In practical terms, you might want to check out the Khan Academy, they're really focused on maths for those who learn differently (www.khanacademy.org/); while there's a famous app you might find interesting called Brilliant.org, which you can find here: brilliant.org/. I highly recommend that. This might be useful too? - www.dyscalculia.me/maths-for-dyscalculia. Good luck!!! ✊

[@sarah4education873]

@@DyslexiaBytes Thnks a lot I am feeling so much better already.. As if I r with us on this journey. Blessings to u. Sarah

[@DyslexiaBytes]

🙏❤🙏

[@DyslexiaBytes]

Here's a fun and easy tool to teach basic maths (I mentioned I'd be releasing a video featuring something, and this is it) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6KtYoeEq550fMU&lc=UgzBYIIdndhHNbwUCrV4AaABAg

[@sarah4education873]

I want to know what are the different acts, rules an laws.. What accommodations can be provided to these srudents at school.. Can they be tested orally for some subjects and are those scores calid for promotion to next grade?

[@DyslexiaBytes]

I think this all depends on where you live. This page gives a brief run-down of what laws are out there around the world, but obviously in America there are as many laws as there are states. dyslexiabytes.org/international-definitions-of-dyslexia/ Where do you live? I might be able to guide you in the right direction depending on which country or state you find yourself in. x [ Edit: I think you're in the USA, so this might be useful for you: improvingliteracy.org/state-of-dyslexia. Have you also checked out Decoding Dyslexia, a grassroots parent-led organisation across the US? You can learn about them here: dyslexiaida.org/decoding-dyslexia/. Also, if you check out my channels playlist "intercultural perspectives", there are various US advocates on there who discuss laws in America, they might be of some help to you. And finally, if you'd like to find someone close by you, have you seen my Dyslexia Map? I'm trying to include as many dyslexia-focused groups and organisations as possible on it, and it might be that there's something just down the road from you, with people who can really help. Please give it a look. And good luck! - www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/viewer?mid=1PiCs2_O4LOnJw7eBqLZivmiZLwB1AJVb&ll=-3.81666561775622e-14%252C0&z=1 / www.thedyslexiamap.com ]

[@sarah4education873]

@@DyslexiaBytes Thanks for the reply. I live in India. The school follows American curriculum and accreditation however operates in India so I guess both Indian and American rules would help.

[@DyslexiaBytes]

@@sarah4education873 then please do check out this page: dyslexiabytes.org/international-definitions-of-dyslexia/, and its "sub page": dyslexiabytes.org/india/, where there are some really interesting facts on the various laws in India. You'll find that the laws around accommodations aren't bad, but there doesn't seem to be much consistency between regions.

[@zobiaakhtar1921]

Hi i was wondering if you could help me with problem that I had to work that was few years ago please

[@DyslexiaBytes]

I'm a little cautious about giving out contact details here, but you can contact the Dyslexia Bytes team via the website www.dyslexiabytes.org. We can talk then if you'd like. 👍

[@zobiaakhtar1921]

I got a job and I told them that I had Dyslexia and they were okay with it but then my other manager that I didn’t get along with try to get me fired and then they just use the skews of my dyslexia and asked me to quit

[@DyslexiaBytes]

@@zobiaakhtar1921 They asked you to quit??? I was going to say it's very common for people to experience "hidden discrimination" due to their dyslexia. But to be asked to quit? - That's horrendous. Okay, so here's what you need to do: First, it's good to familiarise yourself with the law. You can go through this with a friend, colleague, or even a Union representative (if you have one, which I know you might not) - www.dyslexia-malvern.co.uk/docs/justice/Coping%20With%20Courts%20%26%20Tribunals.pdf or - www.dyslexia.uk.net/employers/equality-act/

[@DyslexiaBytes]

Then you need to find support. I don't necessarily mean emotional support (although that helps), I mean someone to fight your corner. So, depending on where you live, there may be a branch of the British Dyslexia Association. I created a map - www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/viewer?mid=1PiCs2_O4LOnJw7eBqLZivmiZLwB1AJVb - that shows you where there's a dyslexia association near you, anywhere in the world (this was a real labour of love!!!). Just find your town on the map, and there'll probably be a branch nearby. If there's a BDA branch, they'll help you. But also please see your Citizens' Advice Bureau, they'll have legal advice. Clearly, you've been discriminated against. Please know that cases like yours aren't unheard of. And if you push your case, you'll probably win. Good luck. ❤️

[@zobiaakhtar1921]

@@DyslexiaBytes but my case is quite long it was in 2019? Will I have still have a case

[@raymond3109]

@dyslexia bytes, What is the most effective approach to supporting dyslexic students academically - is repeating a grade level an appropriate strategy or are there other more effective alternatives?

[@DyslexiaBytes]

That's a really interesting question. I think I'll start by saying that all dyslexics - like all kids in general - are different, and what works for one won't necessarily work for another. For instance, I repeated a grade level twice, and each time I did better. But how many grade levels can we do that with, without having students graduate in their mid-twenties??! So the first thing I'd do is to tackle *when* we need to support children academically. My wish has always been that we get appropriate teacher training in place for Primary level educators (I deliver teacher training on dyslexia, but it's hard to get consistent structural training in place, rather than piecemeal one-off courses). The earlier we can get appropriate teaching, the less we'll need to support anyone. The second thing I'd say is that there needs to be a 360° approach to attitude. That is, it needs to begin with teachers having a positive, understanding, and inclusive attitude to dyslexia. This needs to filter down to the dyslexic students *and their classmates*, as well as their parents (many of whom look upon it as a disability - and this is no surprise if you see my video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJnEp4GMmNyKitE). One of the things that nearly all dyslexics suffer is "learned helplessness", the self-perception that they just can't do it. This becomes ingrained to the point that they'll fail because they've been taught to fail. Another thing dyslexics encounter is an unwillingness to involve themselves in the education process. Education is so unpleasant that it's no surprise few of us have ever wanted to take part in it. So we need to work on the relationships that exist between dyslexic kids and their perception of education. And we can only do this if we introduce practices that don't "prove" they can't learn. In other words, inclusive practices (I'd start with the educational philosophy of the great John Dewey and move on from there). In other words, we need a total, systemic, root-and-branch change in education. We need to teach Primary and then Secondary educators about what dyslexia really is (rather than pathologise it like we've tended to do), and have them spread that attitude to *all* children; then we need to teach Primary and Secondary educators inclusive teaching practices (which I try to do, but it's a frustrating process); then we need to tackle the psychological barriers that dyslexic kids have probably developed, such as an unwillingness to learn, a visceral hatred or fear of school, learned helplessness, intrusive memories of poor learning and poor / shaming teaching, and - believe it or not - a dislike of success (because children will have learnt that they "don't deserve success", hence, they'll come to shy away from it). Too much to ask? Well I'm not sure. Again, this is something I often tackle in training courses - what we really mean when we say "that's too difficult". We don't expect children to become adults in a year, so we shouldn't expect education reforms to change from one thing to another in a year either. It's about planning possible steps that make other, seemingly harder, steps easier in the future. It's taking a long-term view of what can be achieved. It's starting now. And it's not giving up - because giving up on education reform is giving up on children's lives.

[@raymond3109]

@@DyslexiaBytes the student who is currently helping was mostly unwilling to go to school. He will just go to the house, and hide somewhere for the school bus to pass by. The next day he will get a tangible explanation for that. Now, he has improved. He has become more active in school. Although we are working on reading and pronunciation. One amazing thing is that he is very good at maths and speaks oral English and the local language fluently. I think personally, I will need such inclusive teaching practice. I guess study in speech-language pathology or reading with a focus on dyslexia can be helpful. I am going to tune my attention to reading and writing difficulties, probably a special school that focuses solely on these problems.

[@siddhantmishra3598]

Hey man , could u plz tell my by how many points does iq ,seemingly if not actually , drop due to dyslexia ? Will a dyslexic person with high iq score even higher if he were to have no dyslexia ?

[@DyslexiaBytes]

Great question. The thing is, IQ technically doesn't drop due to dyslexia. Dyslexia is classified (in the UK) as an SpLD - a "specific" learning difficulty, rather than a "global" learning difficulty. That means that IQ should be unaffected by it. However, here are some things to consider: 1. in some places, low intelligence means it's actually really difficult to give an official diagnostic assessment for dyslexia, as it becomes harder to spot poor performance in phonological decoding and rapid naming (etc) against a more general low performance, so you can't "spot" the dyslexia. And in those places where dyslexia is judged on poor reading skills, slow phoneme blending, etc, without any comparison with other cognitive abilities, then low IQ would interfere with that kind of assessment. This means, in reality, that while people with sub-standard IQs can be dyslexic, they aren't always officially diagnosed; and this means therefore that the "average IQ" of all the *officially diagnosed* dyslexics in the world will be slightly higher than the average IQ of the general population! 2. BUT IQ is also linked with learning (which is a process of cognitive development). Those with dyslexia are at risk, because of our education system, of learning slower than those without (see my video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e36xiHyIrJVkiNU), and so there might well be some indirect causal link between (a) being dyslexic, (b) falling behind in school, (c) learning fewer things in those school years, and (d) having a lowered IQ. 3. However IQ is only one (very poor) measure of certain types of intelligence, and what we should really be doing in society is finding out people's strengths and developing those, rather than using a one-size-fits-all scale for "intelligence". As I said to one of the other commentators here, I'm about to complete my PhD, but I'm absolutely certain I'd perform badly in a standard IQ test. For one (among many!) study on the relationship between dyslexia and IQ, see below... www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-funded-study-finds-dyslexia-not-tied-iq (and I'm really sorry this wasn't a simple answer, but it was such an interesting question that I thought it deserved proper attention).

[@siddhantmishra3598]

@@DyslexiaBytes thanks for the descriptive and a speedy reply . Coming to point 3) , I agree with you . I can actually observe myself having higher iq than most around me (well atleast the 300-400 people that I might’ve got to know well in 18 years of my life). I too fear that if I were to sit for an official IQ exam I’d score some 5-7 points lesser than actual due to screwing up massively . Not only that , I’ve also come to a conclusion that my iq falls in between 140-145 . You may ask how ? 1) as I said out of the 400 people I’ve met in life (if not more...) , not a single person I’ve been able to have a proper stimulating conversation with . It has always been me saying stuff and not getting a reply that is on the same level of ideas that I would’ve just shared 2) I’m dyslexic , but I started talking at age 8-9 months and knew 4 languages by the time I was 5 . I always had the capacity to some up with structures and figures out of block sets that never came in instruction manual (basically designing things based of stuff which it wasn’t intended for ) 3) I’ve been pretty much lonely all my life . Not a single friend with whom I could freely talk to . I either had to dumb down or do small talk to keep things smooth 4)I could pick up skills at an insane speed as a toddler . 5) I’ve had an insane memory and remember major details / events of my childhood from age 1.5 . 6) and the specific range of iq because I’ve observed many people with such an iq if not higher on the internet , and the correspondence of the events and experience was profound . Reading their observations of schooling and childhood made me feel like I was gazing into my own. (Most of these were adults ) As u know that people of same iq can perform differently . Like there are those who are super intelligent prodigy ones with high iq , there are also the dormant and the guys who sits at the back /side ,kind of high iq ... I’m the latter (prolly ) The problem which affects me the most is , till 10th grade i cruised and coming to 12th grade I realised that I never actually learned how to learn . I understood learning requires conscious efforts , whereas before it was easy “read once and remember forever” now learning has become hard and laborious . Have u experienced any of these ? Thanks , Sid

[@DyslexiaBytes]

@@siddhantmishra3598 Hey Sid, well I certainly understand some of these problems. I never got the "cruising through till 12th Grade thing", it was a constant struggle; but I did cruise a little once I got comfortable at university, and then came the exams, which I always did terribly at. As you say with the IQ tests, no matter how intelligently you can do x, y, or z, as soon as you're examined on it things fall apart pretty badly. This may well be because unless you're fortunate, you won't find an examination system that doesn't require the people examined to conform to narrow tunnels of what's considered "correct". Such is the nature of many of our testing structures. I really feel for you on the loneliness front. I know exactly what that can be like, and I really hope you can find deep connections. It's become even harder in this covid-ridden world, where human contact was stopped for a year. Coping strategies can be so hard to find.

[@siddhantmishra3598]

@@DyslexiaBytes true , I’ve found one coping strategy tho , due to several reasons and missed opportunities, I’ve been inactive for a long time . There is a well revered national exam on the way . I’m preparing to attempt it with full prep. Things will get better for soon I hope :)

[@DyslexiaBytes]

I sincerely wish you all the best. Please let me know how it goes. ❤️

[@caroleclem1580]

fAKE

[@DyslexiaBytes]

Great input Carole.