TEACHER’S DESK
Mar 31, 2009
WE recently published a story on how to help children with dyslexia read.
HOW TO SUPPORT A DYSLEXIC CHILD
WE recently published a story on how to help children with dyslexia read.
But have you ever been confronted by the fear of your child being diagnosed as dyslexic?
In my experience as a teacher, I have encountered a number of children and adults struggling with this learning difficulty.
Often, parents and guardians of sufferers tend to be paranoid and panic. In a way, their actions may be justified. Dyslexia can be complex and many reading specialists are not exposed to this condition.
Kate has moved her son from one school to another due to continued complaints from his teachers about his inability to make academic progress.
After changing schools a number of times, she was advised to see a psychologist for tests. The results showed that her son had dyslexia.
You may be contemplating changing your child’s school as a result of prolonged unimpressive performance.
Before you do, I recommend that you find a child psychologist or psychiatrist to carry out tests that can direct you to a solution.
Dyslexia is one of the various learning difficulties encountered by children and adults. The word dyslexia is derived from a Greek word to mean difficulty with words. This implies that the problem is not simply reading, but includes all language processing aspects like speech, spelling and writing.
Normally, when children start attending school, their teachers and parents are keen to ensure that their reading and writing skills develop appropriately.
However, it soon becomes apparent that children develop at different paces. Although as educationists we avoid labelling children, it is extremely distressing when a child who is otherwise brilliant fails to learn how to read.
What dyslexia does to children before their friends can be humiliating. The sufferer can become bitter, sad, dodge lessons and fail tests. The worst effect is developing low self-esteem.
Dyslexia can sometimes tear families apart as couples blame each other for contributing the bad gene. There are many other reasons that can make reading difficult such as mental retardation, stammering, dumbness and unfamiliar language.
However, if a child is diagnosed as dyslexic, appropriate and timely support is paramount to ensure the child succeeds in the future.
In Uganda, there are people who can advise parents, diagnose sufferers and provide tutoring support to people with dyslexia.
It is no longer necessary to take children abroad for testing and tutoring. What is missing is the ability of teachers and parents to see the early signs of the condition, and be able to take their children for early
intervention.
The writer is a Special Needs teacher
deborahmbuga@
hotmail.com
WE recently published a story on how to help children with dyslexia read.
But have you ever been confronted by the fear of your child being diagnosed as dyslexic?
In my experience as a teacher, I have encountered a number of children and adults struggling with this learning difficulty.
Often, parents and guardians of sufferers tend to be paranoid and panic. In a way, their actions may be justified. Dyslexia can be complex and many reading specialists are not exposed to this condition.
Kate has moved her son from one school to another due to continued complaints from his teachers about his inability to make academic progress.
After changing schools a number of times, she was advised to see a psychologist for tests. The results showed that her son had dyslexia.
You may be contemplating changing your child’s school as a result of prolonged unimpressive performance.
Before you do, I recommend that you find a child psychologist or psychiatrist to carry out tests that can direct you to a solution.
Dyslexia is one of the various learning difficulties encountered by children and adults. The word dyslexia is derived from a Greek word to mean difficulty with words. This implies that the problem is not simply reading, but includes all language processing aspects like speech, spelling and writing.
Normally, when children start attending school, their teachers and parents are keen to ensure that their reading and writing skills develop appropriately.
However, it soon becomes apparent that children develop at different paces. Although as educationists we avoid labelling children, it is extremely distressing when a child who is otherwise brilliant fails to learn how to read.
What dyslexia does to children before their friends can be humiliating. The sufferer can become bitter, sad, dodge lessons and fail tests. The worst effect is developing low self-esteem.
Dyslexia can sometimes tear families apart as couples blame each other for contributing the bad gene. There are many other reasons that can make reading difficult such as mental retardation, stammering, dumbness and unfamiliar language.
However, if a child is diagnosed as dyslexic, appropriate and timely support is paramount to ensure the child succeeds in the future.
In Uganda, there are people who can advise parents, diagnose sufferers and provide tutoring support to people with dyslexia.
It is no longer necessary to take children abroad for testing and tutoring. What is missing is the ability of teachers and parents to see the early signs of the condition, and be able to take their children for early
intervention.
The writer is a Special Needs teacher
deborahmbuga@
hotmail.com