Dyslexia Against the Odds – How to Have Your Dream Career. A Teacher Speaks Out
Posted: Thursday, February 25, 2010
by Julian Price
http://www.uk-freelance-content-writer.co.uk/
Dyslexia is a learning disorder, primarily revealing itself in reading and spelling difficulties. Because of this, there are many misconceptions and stigmas attached to and associated with dyslexia and people with the condition are often very wrongly thought to be in a lower intelligence bracket.
I recently spoke to Jessica, a first year primary school teacher who has a mild but nonetheless debilitating form of dyslexia, in an attempt to unearth the root of some of these problems and to shed some light on the difficulties associated with the condition, especially adults with dyslexia.
Overcoming many hurdles along the way, Jessica explains how she fought with the education system and made it through university to take her dream job, teaching the children she is passionate about and now seeks to educate and inspire.
Jessica reveals that her dyslexia was discovered relatively late but also just in the nick of time. "Although my family and I knew something was wrong from as early as age five, I was nineteen when it was picked up by education authorities and I doubt that I ever would have made it through my university degree if it hadn't been discovered then."
Dyslexia can manifest itself in a multitude of ways, with varying levels of severity, so what were the tell tale signs ? "When I was learning to read, I was reading books from back to front and was very comfortable reading them that way, but when I got as far as my "A levels" things became very difficult and I was having problems focussing and concentrating on the text and that's pretty crucial when studying English Literature!"
Memory often plays a significant part in the life of a dyslexic, as it's often sharpened and heightened, and it's this well trained memory that Jessica believes was one of the reasons why her dyslexia wasn't identified earlier. She was able to memorise many of things that needed to be learnt through her earlier years of schooling.
Jessica was a little annoyed that she hadn't been tested or diagnosed earlier, but was recommended for dyslexia assessment and testing. She was linked up with a help and support network that would have made school life a lot easier and would certainly make a difference when studying a degree and going through teacher training.
"It took several months for tests and a dyslexia assessment (including psychology tests) to be completed, and once it was official that I had a form of dyslexia, everything changed. Suddenly, I was given advice, support and help, where previously I had practically been left stranded and alone. Without the tests confirming you have dyslexia being approved by the local authorities, you are not eligible for the support systems they offer."
"I was given extra time to complete essays and exams, and equipment to make my studies more straight forward, such as specific software for my computer that would help me overcome some of the hurdles of learning with dyslexia. Teachers and professors who, now being aware of my dyslexia, had to take this into account when reading and grading my work rather than simply dismissing it out of ignorance. So, you can see what a difference it makes once the problem is identified."
Jessica continues, "I would advise anyone who thinks they may have problems related to dyslexia to be bold and ask to be assessed. It could make a huge difference, not just in schooling but for the rest of your life!"
"Now that I am a teacher myself, my own learning experiences are already playing a part in the classroom as I am often able to identify children who may be struggling in certain ways that I can recognise quite clearly" she says . "Hopefully I will be able to help children that perhaps otherwise might slip through the net."
Jessica knew she wanted to become a teacher from a very early age, enjoying playing teacher and always being very creative. "I don't think I was bossy, but I did love to be teacher to all my teddy bears and my little sister too! But, having been through the things I have, I now know I can be a teacher who makes a difference and that has become a driving force and a passion." Understanding the traumas and struggles that can often accompany children with learning difficulties, Jessica believes her teaching future may lie in specialised areas such as dyslexia and other learning disabilities. "Why should children struggle more than they need to, especially when there is help available?"
Jessica remembers an inspirational maths teacher who took the time to help students and guide them through their struggles, and it's this sort of teacher that she hopes to become.
Jessica hopes that the awareness of dyslexia will continue to grow and that some of the preconceived ideas regarding the condition will be further banished to the past. "All my superiors and colleagues are aware of my dyslexia and of course the education authorities have to know when you apply for a job, but it's still not really a great idea for parents to know at this stage of dyslexia understanding. As a parent, how would you react if you knew your child was being taught by a dyslexic teacher?" Remaining adamant and strong, Jessica believes, "These are the psychological hurdles that remain and need to be overcome if other dyslexia sufferers are to fulfil what is often vast but undiscovered potential."
Throughout history some brilliant minds and hugely successful people have shown symptoms of dyslexia or are known to be or have been dyslexic. Albert Einstein, Leonardo Da Vinci, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, John Lennon and military mastermind George Patton all apparently showed tendencies of dyslexia, along with Agatha Christie, one of the most read novelists of all time.
Tom Cruise and Robin Williams, both brilliant actors and legends of Hollywood have been very open about their learning difficulties. In the sporting world Muhammad Ali and five times Olympic Gold medallist, Steve Redgrave had their struggles.
Richard Branson, one of the most successful business men of our generation and multi millionaire has been very public about his own learning difficulties and school life. All of them remarkable figures in their own fields and all overcoming their dyslexia and other learning difficulties.
Perhaps Jessica will never be a household name like some of those mentioned above, but she takes the baton on and is proof that you can fulfil your dreams against all the odds.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Great piece, Julian. I myself rate pretty high on the scale of dyslexia. I'm fortunate to live in today's world where there are spell-checkers and copy and paste to help me get around.Thanks Bruce, really appreciate you reading and leaving a comment. I hope there will be many more who can be inspired also.
This was a great article Julian and gives hope to those who have any type of learning difficulty to overcome, and to parent's of children with special needs. We need more 'Jessica's' in the education system.Thanks again Brianna, I agree, we do indeed need more "Jessica's" in the education system. Let's hope a few more will be inspired.
This article is inspirational to people who have discovered they have learning difficulties. By naming modern heroes, it just goes to show that if you are motivated enough, nothing can get in your way.Thanks for reading Nicki. I am glad you found the article inspiring. Thanks for taking time to comment.
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