Turning dyslexia on its head: ‘A Novel Idea’

Famous people with dyslexia
Courtesy of: http://lizivey.wordpress.com/2008/08/

By David Kelly

STEVEN CUSHEN was just nine when he was diagnosed with a lifelong learning condition called dyslexia. Like so many other sufferers he had no idea how it would impact on his daily life.

Dyslexia is a genetic learning difficulty that can affect people in a variety of different ways. People who have dyslexia usually have problems in spelling, reading and writing, all areas which Steven says most people take for granted.

However, people with dyslexia often have strengths in visual-spatial skills, problem solving skills and determination. With this in mind, the Dyslexia Association of Ireland (DAI) has launched “A Novel Idea…Read for Dyslexia Campaign” to help people with dyslexia to discover the joy of reading.

Steven, a keen reader said: “I fully endorse this campaign, always read, and write a list of five words every day that you don’t understand or misspell and learn them. Never try to hide your condition and see what help is available.”

The campaign is being held to mark Dyslexia Awareness Month this October and DAI’s National President Jo Gannon added: “Unaddressed dyslexia can have huge lifelong consequences. The Dyslexia Association is committed to improving awareness of dyslexia and also to support people with dyslexia to achieve their potential. The Novel Idea…Read for Dyslexia campaign will enable people to pass on and share the joy of reading.”

Living with dyslexia is easy if you get the adequate support you are entitled to, advises Steven. He said: “The main effects it had for me were people not being able to read my handwriting and I found it hard to understand scientific concepts.”

He added: “I overcame my battle with dyslexia through early intervention. In primary school I had a resource teacher for an hour a day helping me to develop my learning skills. In secondary school I stopped doing Irish and got an exemption from French. I learned how to do mind-maps, use specialist software to improve my reading and writing skills and I also learned the phonetic alphabet. I got neuro-developmental therapy to develop my reflexes and the creative side of my brain. There are so many options out there for dyslexia sufferers. Don’t let the condition control you, you control it.”

Author and human rights campaigner Don Mullan, who also suffers from dyslexia, is hosting an event in culmination with the Dyslexia Association. It will be hosted by Senator David Norris and other noted Irish authors, including Clare Kilroy. They will read excerpts from their work, discuss their writing and provide photo opportunities and signings.

Don Mullan added: “Discovering that I am dyslexic set me on a road to new and unimagined adventures.”

“Dyslexia affects all age groups but is often thought of as a problem of childhood, when in fact it is a lifelong condition that affects most men and women equally,” said the DAI’s Information Officer Niav Keating.

Steven was in fourth class in Sixmilebridge National School, Clare, when he was diagnosed with the condition. Three of his mother’s siblings have dyslexia, which is genetic and runs in families. Since his diagnosis and early intervention, which the DAI note as vital, he has not looked back. He is a second year student at the University of Limerick where he is studying Systematic Environmental Science.

“Because I tackled my condition head on my reading and spelling has got better. My writing is poor but I’m working to improve that. You have to be proactive, there is no point feeling sorry for yourself. It affected my day to day life in the past, but it longer hinders my progress. After all things could be worse,” he added.

As part of the “Novel Idea…Read for Dyslexia Campaign” , people are being urged to raise funds for the DAI through book clubs, a sponsored reading marathon, coffee mornings or any idea involving reading. The most Novel Idea will win a visit to see Don Mullan, a noted Irish author and human rights campaigner and book vouchers worth €300.

A special event will take place on November 26, 2009 in the O’Reilly Theatre, Belvedere College, Dublin 1, involving Don and other leading Irish authors. Tickets for this event are available from the DAI. Tel. 01-6790276 or email info@dyslexia.ie . For every €40 raised an hour of specialist tuition will be provided for a group of people with dyslexia.

UNDERSTANDING DYSLEXIA
“Dyslexia is not caused by a lack of intelligence, emotional or physical disorders, nor is it because a person has not been taught properly.

“Dyslexia is due to a difference in how the brain works; people with dyslexia learn differently.
“Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that can affect any or all of the following areas: reading, spelling, writing, maths, memory and organisation.” (DAI Director Rosie Bissett).

“There are no statistics in Ireland as to how many people have dyslexia. A proper incidence survey has never been undertaken, due to the lack of funding for such a project. Instead, International statistics suggest 8-10 percent of the population have some form of dyslexia. Half of those would have it to quite a mild degree, they may never even be diagnosed and many would manage by developing their own compensatory strategies.

“However, the other half have a significant degree of difficulty and will have great difficulty with learning if their difficulty is not recognised and appropriate supports offered.” (DAI Information Officer Niav Keating).

The Dyslexia Association of Ireland has 33 branches nationwide. It is a founder member of the European Dyslexia Association, which contains more than 25 countries.

DAI represents more than 2,500 families all over Ireland. The DAI lobbies for the provision of appropriate services, funded by the state to all people with dyslexia
It provides a free information service to the public. Services offered include: psycho-educational assessment of children and adults, group and individual specialised tuition, teachers' courses, summer schools, speakers for schools and parents groups. (http://www.dyslexia.ie/index.htm)

For further information on dyslexia, visit www.dyslexia.ie or email info@dyslexia.ie .
ENDS