This week - spotlight on Dyslexia.

Recently we surveyed our students to see what they know about neurodiversity and first up was a question about Dyslexia. Depending on what you read, it is estimated that around 10 percent of our population have Dyslexia, which is around 70,000 school students. With education so heavily reliant on reading and interpreting the written word, Dyslexia presents a huge challenge for many of our young people.

In the survey students were asked the following question, and I have included a sample of answers:

What do you think Dyslexia is?

• A disability that makes it hard to read for some people

• Have heard people describe it as the words are moving on the page and are all jumbled

• Dyslexia can impact how you focus on different subjects like people with dyslexia often find it easier to focus and read on cream coloured paper

• When you don’t read things the same

There are challenges for students navigating their way through the school system, and luckily we live in an age where Dyslexia is being researched and recognised. I am sure when many parents and grandparents were at school there was neither recognition nor support for most of us! A lot of famous people have Dyslexia, including actors and writers,  which goes to show the importance of support, determination and encouragement. Students today have access to Natural Reader and audiobooks, Dyslexia friendly font (Dyslexie), cream coloured paper and Special Assessment Conditions for NCEA. There are also positive aspects of Dyslexia, such as being really creative, having amazing critical thinking skills, and being 'big picture' thinkers.

While we are aware of the challenges for our ākonga who have Dyslexia, let us help them to celebrate their special superpower. As Caitlyn Jenner said:

“If I wasn’t dyslexic, I probably wouldn’t have won the Games.” 

“The biggest problem with dyslexic kids is not the perceptual problem, it is their perception of themselves. That was my biggest problem.”