#213- Important Perspectives of Dyslexia with Dr. Paul O'Callaghan, Marie Keçecioğlu & Megan Jeffries

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Dyslexia can be difficult for educational leaders, teachers, parents, and communities to oftentimes deal with as there is no universal understanding of how to recognize and identify it, screen for it and/or aid students who struggle to read because of it. The fact is that many young people can face enormous hardship as they journey through school due to diagnosing issues. Many of these students never even find out that they do in fact have a learning difference. 

October 3rd-9th of this month is World Dyslexia Week, with a particular focused theme of ‘Breaking Through Barriers’, therefore, I have decided to devote this episode to raising awareness around the issue of dyslexia by interviewing three special guests on today’s show in order to share three very different, yet deeply interwoven perspectives on the issue of dyslexia (Dr. Paul O'Callaghan, Marie Keçecioğlu & Megan Jeffries)

In today’s episode, we will look at what dyslexia is, the obstacles that get in the way of addressing dyslexia on a deeper level, how dyslexia reveals itself at home and in school, and we will also share valuable resources that any teacher, parent, or school leader can access right away to help better support students who have dyslexia or dyslexic tendencies. 

To a dyslexic child, their world can oftentimes be filled with words and phrases such as ‘he or she is stubborn’ or ‘not working to their potential, or even ‘lazy and unintelligent’. Many young people who struggle to read and write often hear themselves described in this manner and sadly oftentimes have learned to label themselves in the same way as well. 

As I interviewed each guest that you will hear today, I couldn’t help but think of  quote that I once heard by Soren Kierkegaard: 

“Once you label me, you negate me".  A powerful quote that sums up how labels can make us feel at times. 

As a young person myself, I was labelled as a poor reader. Although not dyslexic, I do remember the impact that this had on my own self-esteem and how I felt about myself….the shame and embarrassment from being forced to read in front of the class was awful for me when I was young. The reading comprehension tests that were projected on the wall forced all the students to read at the same pace. I remember the anxiety it caused me not being able to keep up with my peers. This led to a total disengagement of reading which continued through my high school years. It wasn’t until well after high school that I found my own passion for reading. I’ve learned to develop a deep love of reading over the years which has made such a huge difference in my own life. 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Paul's Recommendations: 

Margaret Goldburg’s Blog
Timothy Shanahan’s Blog
Amplify’s Brain Builder Series for Children Explaining the Science of Reading and the Brain
Measured Mom Website 

Marie's Recommendations:

Positive Discipline
University of Florida Literacy Institute

Megan's Recommendations:

https://homeschoolingwithdyslexia.com/
Steps Web