Dyslexia – In A Nutshell………
If we continue to see Dyslexia as being merely a reading and writing problem, we will continue to deprive these people of any real understanding or support in terms of the extent and depth of their difficulties.
When we recognize that, in common with persons born without hearing, they have a greatly reduced internal language processing ability, we will begin to understand the real implications of the ‘dyslexic’ state.
Whereas most of us use internal dialogue (self-talk) to perform a myriad of functions – to self-monitor, to remember, to process information, to compare concepts, to project, to prepare, and to label, amongst others – the ‘dyslexic’ is more singularly reliant on the functions of his ‘pictorial’ brain.
The capacity to ‘self-talk’ using language could be regarded as being basic to academic functioning. With a diminished ability in this regard the ‘dyslexic’ person is at a social and educational disadvantage, and is frequently confused, and less able to ‘work things out’ using language.
In a nutshell, the dyslexic person is ‘dys-lexic’ in that they have less natural ability to use language as a thinking tool. This has implications for both learning and behaviour management.
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Laughton King is an Educator touring NZ, talking to teachers and parents about ‘Dyslexia’. From the basis of his previous 30+ years as an Educational Psychologist, and 60+ years as a ‘dyslexic’ person himself, his intention is to help both adults and children understand that there is nothing wrong with their ‘dyslexic’ brain, but that, like a diesel engine they have a natural style that works perfectly – as long as it is fed diesel, rather than petrol. A minimal change in teaching style will allow children with Dyslexia to process and learn in their own natural way.