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A Mom's View: This is what dyslexia looks like .....

Categories: Disability Type, Learning Disabilities, Parenting, Uncategorized

We live dyslexia awareness every day, so I thought I would give you a small look through the glass into our life. Though it's not the same for every person, in my home:

Dyslexia is ...

Nights of research. Trying to discover why your bright, articulate, inquisitive child just cannot seem to grasp the written word. Later, researching reading methodologies, scientific studies, accommodations, and more.

Dyslexia is ...

LA-952_LRA homework nightmare. Many neurotypical children can do worksheets on their own, but your severe/profound child who has dyslexia needs a human reader for those worksheets. Not to mention the fact he's held it together ALL DAY in a written world, and he just needs PEACE at home. Homework is not fun for any of us.

Dyslexia is ...

Celebrating victories. The pure joy in your heart when your child comes to you laughing while reading his very first book. "This is funny, Mom!" And you feel tears well up in your eyes. Could this finally be "it?" The reading breakthrough? That magical moment?

Dyslexia is ...

Surviving in a written world. Struggling to read the menu the following day (after the reading breakthrough) because it's written in some weird fancy font. Stupid fancy fonts

Dyslexia is ...

Becoming "that mom" at school. Only you don't WANT to be "that" mom. You want to be just a regular mom. Why is it so hard? Why is it always so hard?

Dyslexia is ...

Kids at schoolWorrying. Always worrying. In camp/church/school - will they randomly call on kids to read aloud? Will the teacher understand if he refuses? Will he refuse ....or will he try? If he tries and stumbles, will his peers laugh?

Dyslexia is ...

Discovery. Trying new things - sports, art, music - trying to find an area where your child can feel successful. Feeling proud when he finds "this thing", and bragging to everyone who will listen. Maybe bragging too much at times ...

Dyslexia is ...

Sometimes jealousy. From the Accelerated Reader parties that your kid never gets to attend to the mom friend who always posts about her "bookworm" child, jealousy can creep in.

Dyslexia is ...

Celebrating. We celebrate everything in abundance. When he finally does reach his reading goal, we party hard! We know what hard work looks like around here, and we know how to take the time to soak up the success.

Dyslexia is ...

Patience. It may take your child a little bit longer to do some things, but we're learning to enjoy the ride. It also makes us much more patient with others, from the grocery store clerk to the postman.

Dyslexia is ...

Boy and Mom HomeworkLaughter. Finding yourselves sharing inside jokes, parent to child. Perhaps it's a particularly creative spelling or funny word (like sock-pants for tights), but it's so encouraging to see the amazing and self-assured young man your little boy is becoming.

Dyslexia is ...

Awareness. Making sure everyone else knows weaknesses don't define us either or limit us. We can find ways to flow around rocks, and that only makes us stronger.

Dyslexia is .....

Different for everyone. One child may embrace it and want to talk about it all day. Another may want you to just ignore it. One child may read okay, but just be slow. Another child may struggle with the word "cat," but thrive on audiobooks.

Dyslexia is .....

ONE part of my child. It's also a part we embrace, and we hope that in time the world will learn to embrace all of our neuro-diverse brains as well. To learn about dyslexia and accessible materials, log onto LearningAlly.org  JulesAbout the author: Julya Johnson is a blogger, social media manager, and the mother of two children with learning differences. She works at the nonprofit Learning Ally, and co-founded Decoding Dyslexia-TN. Julya is also AOGPE Associate Level Certified.