What can be done?

Understanding the problem is the key to achieving any solution. Now that we have gained some insight into the matter, let us read about what can be done to facilitate the intellectual growth of dyslexic children:

1. 1. Early identification: As soon as some of the aforementioned symptoms are seen, don’t take it easy. Many parents fall into the “we’ll see later” trap, and by the time the diagnosis is made, it’s too late. Some things are not corrected by time and age. A certified educational psychologist should thoroughly evaluate the child at this stage. The main advantage of early identification of dyslexia is that we can aid the child’s self esteem. Going to a school where not writing and reading in the conventional manner will definitely attract punishment, it is simply not in the child’s best interest to be sent to such a school in the first place. This is why early identification is necessary. Alternative educational arrangements can be made.

1. 2. Acceptance: Now, when dyslexia is confirmed, do not panic. It is not a life threatening disease. It is a learning disability, which can be overcome with patience and suitable learning techniques. Read and try to know as much about it as possible.  The fact is in our country people have very less idea about the subject. So what if they are working in the Dyslexia industry? India still has a long way to go before people understand and come out in the open and discuss issues like dyslexia and other learning difficulties. Remember, these are just small kids, who have learnt intrinsically that they will never be able to match their friends’ standards. Children are very sensitive and astute, and any stray remark about their learning difficulty will only make them retreat further into their shell. Learn to accept them the way they are. You don’t have to “fix” them, nor treat them any different from your other kids. The right attitude matters the most in handling such issues. Do not consider them as dumb or stupid. Allow them to find their own path and see them flourish. Then they will not be further ignored or crushed. They will get equal opportunities to grow. 

   Right Information => Right attitude => Right behavior => Create

   acceptance

1.  3. Take Expert Opinion: There are a lot of specialists who routinely work with such cases and who should be contacted immediately at different stages, like - child development specialist, paediatrician, neuro-paediatrician, child psychologist, special educator, occupation therapist, remedial educator etc. They are professionally qualified people who can guide your child and facilitate his/her learning needs. A normal paediatrician might not be of much help, but he/she can certainly recommend/refer the child to a specialist.

1. 4. Tell the child we are with you: This is the most important thing of all. We have no idea since how long the child has been struggling with this problem all alone.  Without knowing What, Why and why only he/she is suffering etc. He already knows something is different about him. Reassure the child with a big, warm hug that tells him that he is not alone now. Your unconditional love and support is all that the child needs. 

Two innocent questions...

A little six year old girl looks up to her mother and asks,”Ma! When will I be writing like my friends? All of us started writing at the same time. They’re writing and drawing so nicely, why does my writing look like this? Am I stupid?”

A touching question by a little girl, who is troubled by the fact that her handwriting is indecipherable to others. If it’s just a question of bad handwriting, why am I going forth with this blog? What is my objective? There are two very powerful reasons behind my writing this blog and trying to get it across to millions of readers out there. One, to try and answer the queries of parents and teachers of children who have been struggling with learning difficulties for a long time, and two, to let these children, who have been called ‘stupid’ and ‘slow’ all their lives, know that they are not!

Some children are extremely different from their peers. Some might be slow to grasp concepts, some might have trouble with their motor coordination, some might struggle to speak ordinary sounding words, some simply have trouble looking at an object and understanding its significance. These kids are usually put into brackets like “slow”, “stupid”, ”not motivated”, ”mentally retarded”,”hyperactive”, ”destructive” and so on. These are the kids you usually find in the last row of the classroom, laboring over the classwork, struggling to understand the teacher’s rapid teaching and grappling with their homework at home.

The little girl, mentioned earlier, watches a science show on TV with intense concentration. After it’s over, she asks her mother,” I have understood that the earth moves around the sun and the moon moves around the earth. If, for some reason, the earth falls down, what will happen to the moon?” The mother is nonplussed and starts thinking. Without giving her time to ponder upon the first question, the little girl now asks,”Ma, why do we need a rocket to launch a satellite in space? Why can’t an aeroplane do the same job?” Mentally retarded? Stupid? Slow to understand? I think not. On the contrary, the girl is displaying a serious knack for science and scientific thinking. This little girl, with her sunny smile, extensive vocabulary and a charming disposition wins hearts everywhere she goes. 

But let me tell you she is also dyslexic.