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 herbalkate | LOUISVILLE, KY
Oct 31, 2018

My niece went from teenage high school mom to a loving mother of three, one of whom has dyslexia and ADHD. She is patient, accepting, and kind, and takes such great care of her children. I'm so proud to know her and to call her my friend.

by Nmf910 | MILFORD, CT
Oct 30, 2018

My son makes me proud because he got paid for a job and is donating it all to Charity!-he's 15 :)

by Mimiburger974 | Jennings, MO
Oct 30, 2018

My daughter makes me proud by getting excellent grades and taking it upon herself to make sure her grades stay on track. She does everything I think I want her to do without me asking her to. She is a special young lady and going to be a beautiful woman.

by luckysista | Dallas, TX
Oct 30, 2018

My parents make me proud when they try to learn technology and keep up with the times. It's not easy as English is not their first language, but they both get an A for effort!

by eview1 | WAKE FOREST, NC
Oct 30, 2018

my mother makes me proud. she volunteered for many organizations, charities, her synagogue, Meals on Wheels, worked as a Gray lady at the hospitals, was a docent at the state buildings, etc. she received many accolades and awards for all of her volunteer efforts. she also raised 4 kids, was a housewife, chauffeur, cook, housekeeper, etc.

by n7nickys7n | overland park, KS
Oct 29, 2018

Both of my parents are dyslexic, but they never stop reading. They both love books and read together every night before they go to sleep. They've done this my whole life. It's inspiring to have two people in my life to look up to who have not let anything hold them back.

by sukivee1 | WOODBOURNE, NY
Oct 29, 2018

this is a wonderful story and you sound like a fantastic mom!!!

by zandsmama | GRESHAM, OR
Oct 29, 2018

I just had my 16 yr old nephew visit us from California. Myles has Autism and really struggles around crowds & loud places. We visited Multnomah Falls and he was so brave and excited to experience nature close up. He has to overcome large obsticals, that to most seems simple, on a daily basis & his determination makes me so proud!!

by CasandraLaMonaca | EAST HAVEN, CT
Oct 29, 2018

My husband makes me proud. He was diagnosed with MS almost a year ago and he gets up everyday and goes to work to provide for our family even though he struggles daily.

by Sheba1 | Gillette, NJ
Oct 29, 2018

My husband and kids make me a better person every single day. I can not express how much I I love them and am so grateful for them.

by mrscole131 | Harbor City, CA
Oct 29, 2018

My son makes me proud as he works through his piano lessons. i love the sound of him trying again to get it right!

by alluringbrat | BRISTOL, CT
Oct 29, 2018

My children make me proud, they are just such good human beings!

by Ashleigh3 | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
Oct 29, 2018

I'm proud of my son. He's so sweet and smart and I love watching him learn and grow everyday.

by aneube | BARRINGTON, RI
Oct 29, 2018

My wife makes me proud as she overcomes being laid off, and works to find a new job.

by browneyes78 | Homosassa, FL
Oct 29, 2018

I'm proud of my husband, he such an awesome husband and friend. He makes me a better person as well. He works hard and continues to love unconditionally. ❤

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