October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and this week (October 6 – October 12) is Dyslexia Awareness Week! We’ve all heard of dyslexia at some point in our lives but what is dyslexia?
At VDC, we have a special webinar on Wednesday 8 October at 12:00pm AEDT, on this very topic. There is estimated to be 10 – 20% of people who have Dyslexia world-wide. How many are in VET classes? Dyslexia and other Specific Learning Disorders are invisible, range in severity and are not static. Click here to find out more about this intriguing, and insightful webinar presented by Dr Shae Wissell, Leading Neuroinclusion expert and best-selling author.
“When you realise it’s not you who needs to be repaired, it’s the world that needs fixing, only then can you become your true authentic self.” – Shae Marie Wissell
The Australian Dyslexia Association (ADA) offers a clear and thoughtful explanation of dyslexia:
“Dyslexia is not a disease! The word dyslexia comes from the Greek language and means difficulty with words. Individuals with dyslexia have trouble with reading and spelling despite having the ability to learn. Individuals with dyslexia can learn, they just learn in a different way. Often these individuals, who have talented and productive minds, are said to have a language learning difference.”
This definition highlights that dyslexia is not a reflection of intelligence or capability, but rather a different way of processing language. The ADA further clarifies the specific challenges faced by individuals with dyslexia:
“…Dyslexia is not a problem with comprehension. Individuals with dyslexia are able to use higher level language skills to support their reading and this ability to ‘compensate’ may mask their underlying difficulties with single word reading. The central difficulty for a student with dyslexia is to convert letter symbols to their correct sound (decode) and convert sounds to their correct written symbol (spell)…”
It is important to recognise that dyslexia also comes with unique strengths. As the ADA notes:
“Often individuals with dyslexia are very capable so whilst the challenges need to be addressed, there is a very high need to identify and cultivate their strengths whilst minimising their weaknesses”
These cognitive differences can foster alternative approaches to learning and problem-solving. In fact, many individuals with dyslexia demonstrate exceptional abilities in areas that require creative and analytical thinking. As the ADA outlines, strengths commonly associated with dyslexia include:
- Inquiring mind
- Problem Solving
- Comprehending new ideas
- Generating ideas Analytic thinking
- Creative thinking
- 3-D construction
- Finding different strategies
- Seeing the big picture
- Insightful thinking
These attributes not only help individuals navigate their learning differences but also contribute meaningfully to diverse fields and innovative thinking.
