Each of us is unique and unrepeatable, and many factors impact how we function in the world. Some of these factors we can control and some we cannot. All students need to learn, but there are a variety of ways students learn.
Dyslexia - Difficulty with language
Myths
It is a vision problem, where people flip letters - Some dyslexic people do flip letters but it has nothing to do with their eyesight.
Dyslexic people can't read - Most dyslexic people can read to a point.
Dyslexia is rare - Actually, about 20% of the population is dyslexic. A classroom of 20 students has 4 students who are dyslexic.
Dyslexic students aren't smart - They are as smart as any other students but often their struggle with reading and spelling creates deficits in other areas of learning.
Dyslexia can range from mild (presents with little challenge in school) to profound (presents with extreme difficulty in school and behind by several grade levels).
GIFTEDNESS - Some great qualities can result from the way the dyslexic brain processes information: athletic, artistic, musical, creative, out-of-the-box problem solver, sees the big picture, great social skills, great at building things (engineers), actors/actresses. Look up famous people who are dyslexic!
Once you understand why your child struggles there are lots of ways to help them with what they struggle with so they can develop their giftedness.
You will learn how to advocate for your child and help them to learn how to advocate for themselves as they move into high school, college, and the work environment.
Occupational Therapy
Can address a variety of learning challenges
Educating teachers on what to look for and the variety of things that can be incorporated into the classroom can have a significant impact on a student's readiness for learning.