Journey Into Dyslexia – The Documentary

 Other dyslexia related  No Responses »
May 302011
 

In an archive post at businessweek.com there is a report of a study of 102 successful entrepreneurs in the United States. The most striking co-incidence among them is that 35% of them said they were dyslexic. When you compare this to the ‘normal’ rate of 10%, that is incredible.

The study was conducted by Julie Logan in 2007 and also revealed that this same 35% were the most likely to own multiple companies, employ more staff and were more able to delegate tasks.

The success of these dyslexic entrepreneurs was accredited to the way they grew up with dyslexia and the accompanying problems. Finding it hard to read and absorb information, dyslexics quickly learn to seek the most vital information and learn it, they rely less on having to go back and read something again. The other skill required is to be able to trust others, and reliance on others is important when building a business.

There is now a new documentary being aired called “journey into Dyslexia” that profiles dyslexics from different backgrounds. It recounts their struggle through school and how they managed to compensate for their problems as adults. The aim is to look at people’s misperceptions of dyslexia and the implications it holds in the business world and outside of it.

The documentary has been made by successful filmmakers, Alan and Susan Raymond and has just been aired on HBO2 and will be available On Demand until June 5th.

IMHO, this is a remarkable and enlightening piece of work and illustrates nicely the difficulties that growing dyslexics have as children. They are almost forced into thinking along different lines and in developing alternative strategies to cope with their difficulties. It is likely this ability to develop and switch strategies is instrumental in their success in the business world.

You will find other reports of compensated dyslexics on this website. Just pop the term into the search box. For more on this documentary, visit the film maker’s website at http://videoverite.tv/pages/film-JID-about.html


What is Dyslexia Screening?

 test for dyslexia  No Responses »
May 032010
 

Dyslexia Screening Test

Dyslexia screening is a method used to see whether you may have dyslexia. A positive dyslexia screening test may not mean you have dyslexia, just that there is a possibility you could have.

The fact that you looking for a dyslexia screening test indicates that you think you have a reading problem, but probably wish for some sort of confirmation before you take the step of approaching a professional body for a more formal assessment.

A dyslexia screening test will ask you to perform certain tasks to investigate what your particular problem is. These may involve rhyming tasks such as being asked to say what word rhymes with ‘cat’ from ‘fit’, ‘mat’ or ‘bar’ for example. You may be asked to spell spoken words and it may also surprise you by having number tasks as well, as this is often found alongside reading problems.

The word ‘dyslexia’ tends to be used to encompass all the different types of reading problems. But within the term, you must understand that there are different types of reading problems. These problems will show different symptoms in how you read.

Broadly speaking, it is possible you have more problems with words that do not follow the traditional spelling-to-sound rules, such as ‘steak’, but you can read made-up words such as ‘shulz’. Conversely, you may be fine with words such as ‘steak’, but are unable to process the made-up words. The reason for this discrepancy is widely debated within the academic world on various grounds, as are the different theories of how we read. A basic guide to reading theories will be the subject of another article as this may help people understand the deficit better.

It gets more complicated for adults as, having grown up with a reading deficit; they may have learnt to compensate for it in other ways.

Thankfully, dyslexia screening tests can be found online and will offer you useful advice. However, it is important to remember that should the test indicate possible dyslexia, an individual assessment will be far more specific. Whoever the professional is who tests you, they will also be able to suggest tasks that may help you cope better.

Taking an online dyslexia screening test is a good way to avoid feeling embarrassed before you need to! However, you should not feel that way, as the professionals you deal with are well aware of your feelings, the years you have spent trying to avoid reading out loud in public, the other difficulties you have had as well as the courage it takes to try and help yourself.

Be smart, and get those questions answered that have plagued you for years today. There are very few online tests of this nature, but our recommendation is ….. HERE and is endorsed by the British Dyslexia Institute. Take a look and decide for yourself and find out in the peace and seclusion of your own home.

Surprising Symptoms of Dyslexia

 Signs and Symptoms of Dyslexia  No Responses »
Mar 142010
 

Most people know that dyslexia mainly involves a difficulty with reading the printed word. This may involve such things as visual disturbances when trying to read the letters/words or perhaps poor comprehension due to a short term memory problem among other things.

The list below is not exhaustive, nor will it apply to everyone. It will however give you some idea but if you are an adult, do try the online test for dyslexia or try some of the tactics that work for others HERE.

However, symptoms of dyslexia can involve a lot more, watch the video below for more information.

Because most children obviously are unable to read until around 7-years-old it is difficult to spot a problem before this age. However, there are a few pre-cursors such as a family history of reading problems.

A child will have good and bad days for no obvious reason and will show confusion with directional words such as up/down and trouble with sequence, such as the days of the week.

Prior to school, the jumbling of phrases or excessive word subsitutions will be more persistant than normal as will be the inability to remember the names of known objects such as ‘chair’. Quite an important sign of dyslexia is any difficulty in learning nursery rhymes that involve rhyming words (such as ‘cat’, ‘sat’, ‘mat’) and possibly, the late development of speech.

Excessive clumsiness such as persistantly bumping into things, difficulty in ball play or clapping in rhythm should also be watched for and can be a symptom of dyslexia.

Primary School Age

When a child is at school, you are very likely to find a difficulty with spelling as well as reading and that letters and figures will be the wrong way round or omitted. Tables and alphabet learning will be difficult. Concentration will be poor and you will observe poor comprehension of anything that has just been read. Written work will take longer and if teaching is at a rapid pace, they may find it more difficult to process speech.

Telling left from right may be a problem but may show greater skills in other areas. Low self-esteem will already be starting to show and should be dealt with sympathically.

Upper school or 11 and over.

In addition to the above,symptoms of dyslexia will reveal that reading remains inaccurate as does spelling as expectations language skill increases. Planning and producing essays will be below normal. Short-term memory may be shorter than normal and the child may show confusion over places, times and dates.  Areas of strength and weaknesses will be more pronounced by now when looking for signs of dyslexia.

If you are an adult who have been wondering about whether you could be dyslexic, try the dyslexia screening test available from this web site.

Most people know that dyslexia mainly involves a difficulty with reading the printed word. This may involve such things as visual disturbances when trying to read the letters/words or perhaps poor comprehension due to a short term memory problem among other things. The list below is not exhaustive, nor will it apply to everyone. It will however give you some idea but if you are an adult, do try the online test for dyslexia or try some of the tactics that work for others HERE. However, symptoms of dyslexia can involve a lot more, watch the video below for more information. Because most children obviously are unable to read until around 7-years-old it is difficult to spot a problem before this age. However, there are a few pre-cursors such as a family history of reading problems. A child will have good and bad days for no obvious reason and will show confusion with directional words such as up/down and trouble with sequence, such as the days of the week. Prior to school, the jumbling of phrases or excessive word subsitutions will be more persistant than normal as will be the inability to remember the names of known objects such as ‘chair’. Quite an important sign of dyslexia is any difficulty in learning nursery rhymes that involve rhyming words (such as ‘cat’, ‘sat’, ‘mat’) and possibly, the late development of speech. Excessive clumsiness such as persistantly bumping into things, difficulty in ball play or clapping in rhythm should also be watched for and can be a symptom of dyslexia. Primary School Age When a child is at school, you are very likely to find a difficulty with spelling as well as reading and that letters and figures will be the wrong way round or omitted. Tables and alphabet learning will be difficult. Concentration will be poor and you will observe poor comprehension of anything that has just been read. Written work will take longer and if teaching is at a rapid pace, they may find it more difficult to process speech. Telling left from right may be a problem but may show greater skills in other areas. Low self-esteem will already be starting to show and should be dealt with sympathically. Upper school or 11 and over. In addition to the above,symptoms of dyslexia will reveal that reading remains inaccurate as does spelling as expectations language skill increases. Planning and producing essays will be below normal. Short-term memory may be shorter than normal and the child may show confusion over places, times and dates.  Areas of strength and weaknesses will be more pronounced by now when looking for signs of dyslexia. If you are an adult who have been wondering about whether you could be dyslexic, try the dyslexia screening test available from this web site. " />
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