October is Dyslexia Awareness Month: From a Mom's Perspective.

    by   SusanHN   

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Oct 24, 2018
161

My 8-year old son was diagnosed with dyslexia a few months ago. He doesn't like to talk about it and he doesn't tell anyone else he has it. So I don't usually either. However, it's Dyslexia Awareness Month and I believe that the more who know about it, the more kids we can help. Plus, I tell my son all the time how proud I am of him, and I hope that one day he'll be proud of all that he is too.

My son makes friends everywhere he goes. He is kind and generous to everyone he meets. His smile is contagious. He also happens to have dyslexia. 

We suspected that there was something going on a few years ago. It was more than that he was having trouble reading. It's that he tried so hard and still struggled. Despite any improvements he was making, he was still falling farther and farther behind. Even when we gave him all the tools to learn, his brain just couldn’t put it together.

The diagnosis was actually a relief. No one’s happy to be told that their child has a learning disability. It broke my heart to hear someone tell me there was something wrong. However, seeing the tears in my son’s eyes while he tried to sound out words and sentences was already breaking my heart. This diagnosis would finally get him the help he needed to set him on a path to success.

In the last few months, I’ve tried to educate myself on dyslexia, and have found there are so many misconceptions about it. Some people think dyslexia means you just write letters backward; or that kids with dyslexia have low intelligence, have problems with vision, or just don’t try hard enough. But I’ve learned that none of those are right.

Dyslexia means that my son’s brain processes information differently than most people. He has to work extra hard to do what comes naturally to others, especially reading, writing and spelling. Using specific evidence-based reading programs, he can learn strategies on how to overcome many of the challenges, but he will never completely outgrow it. Dyslexia can vary to different degrees, but experts say that between 5-20% of the population has some form of it.

Because of how the brain works, many people with dyslexia tend to have incredible strengths too. My son is both innovative and resourceful - he can spend hours with cardboard and a roll of tape and turn it into something unique. In fact, some of the most famous storytellers, entrepreneurs, inventors and out-of-the-box thinkers even credit dyslexia for helping make them successful. People like Steven Spielberg, Richard Branson, Octavia Spencer, and Jamie Oliver are all dyslexic. Many believe that some of the world’s biggest game-changers had it too, including: Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Walt Disney, Pablo Picasso, and possibly even Albert Einstein.

You can find more info about dyslexia and other learning challenges on Understood.org. I highly recommend trying the simulations to see what it’s like for kids who have reading, attention, or other issues. Check them out here.

How does someone in your family (or yourself!) make you proud? Tell us below!

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by Ladygem616 | FT LAUDERDALE, FL
Oct 24, 2018

My son who struggles with social anxiety and hates to go out around other people!!

by 1Nancy | GREENSBORO, NC
Oct 24, 2018

Our 22 month old granddaughter makes us proud. She is already a "big sister" and does her best to console and comfort her 7 week old sister when she cries or is fussy. She also started this loving behavior on her own, without any prompting by adults.

by losercher | CAROL STREAM, IL
Oct 24, 2018

My husband works hard and is always ready to be a great dad when he gets home!

by BBYBRWNEYEZ34 | RIALTO, CA
Oct 24, 2018

A good friend of mine from school, she had so much going on in her personal life that it almost got in the way of achieving her goals but she didn't let it and she graduated. She just doesn't know how proud I am of her.

by alwaysnyc | Staten Island, NY
Oct 24, 2018

My son was never diagnosed with ADD and he takes meds now as a young adult. He employs strategies to help him stay focused and organized. I am very proud of him.

by melliecat | Springdale, AR
Oct 24, 2018

My mom makes me proud every day. She is the most giving and selfless person I have ever met and never lets her set backs keep her from doing good for others.

by ksutherland | MODESTO, CA
Oct 24, 2018

My son struggles in school with ADD and anxiety. He makes me so proud because he tries so hard and never gives up!

by tara19652006 | ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Oct 24, 2018

My teen makes me proud as he is succeeding at the Merchant Marine Academy

by Pegasus72 | PHILMONT, NY
Oct 24, 2018

I am very proud of my two daughters who struggle everyday to read.

by kvskrzat | Horsham, PA
Oct 24, 2018

My husband works so hard for our family and is never failing to get promotions or praises from work/military and I could not be more proud of him.

by paminny | NEW YORK, NY
Oct 24, 2018

My brother makes me proud because he's a great brother to me and son to my parents.

by abbey212 | WAMPUM, PA
Oct 24, 2018

Congratulations me

by nagroskopf | NORTH MANKATO, MN
Oct 24, 2018

By overcoming the struggles of mental illness.

by Krystal_DawnL | Crown Point, IN
Oct 24, 2018

I'm super proud of my husband and daughters. They are all so strong, determined, and inspiring.

by Nicolemargrif77 | Warren, MI
Oct 24, 2018

My mom because she is the rock of our family!

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