Introduction
The term dyslexia is defined as a learning disorder that includes difficulties while reading due to issues while identifying speech sounds as well as learning how relating with letter and words is possible. Dyslexia is also associated with reading disabilities since it affects the area of human brain which is associated with processing language. Individuals suffering from dyslexia are found to possess normal intelligence as well as vision. Majority of the children suffering from dyslexia possess the potential to gain success in education if proper tutoring is provided to them along specialized education program. Along with the academic support, emotional support from family, friends, educators as well as the society also plays crucial part when it comes to dealing with Dyslexia. In this report, I will reflect on the video, ‘Reflections of Dyslexia’ in order to understand the perspective of people suffering from the evil disease.
Discussion
The story of each of the interviewees discussed in the video not only helped me to understand their perspective but also helped me to discard all of my prejudice associated with it. The video contains experiences associated with dyslexia faced by four adults of different age range, namely, Rick, Jane, Ross and Gemma. All the participants have discussed their emotional issues behind dyslexia and how the disease has influenced their behavior, opportunities as well as success. The stories shared by the interviewees helped me to review my opinion about learning disabilities. For instance, before watching the video I had the assumption that if a individual is suffering from dyslexia, he or she can automatically be able to understand the issue in the initial stage. However, after going through a story of Rick who stated that he was able to detect the issue after his son was detected with dyslexia, this misconception of mine got discarded. I was also not aware of the fact that dyslexia gets genetically transferred through generations. Rick’s story of life did really enhance my knowledge about dyslexia (Messurier, 2012). One of the interviewees, Gemma was suffering from complex learning as well as social difficulties resulting due to dyslexia. Her story was really saddening since she has been expelled from school several times due to the problem she was suffering. As per my opinion, it is highly crucial to motivate students suffering from dyslexia to read and write by their own instead of throwing them out of the school. Schools possess the responsibility to eliminate the evil disease. Unethical rustications from school often lead to depression and social isolation (Tamboer et al., 2016). Prolonged depression, anxiety and social isolation possess the potential to result in physiological issues in students.
I also learned that people suffering from dyslexia faces several social issues in their day to day life. This video made me aware of the frequent adverse experiences that are being faced by people with dyslexia. It enables me to understand how difficult it is for an individual with dyslexia to compete with their peers when it comes to academic activities like reading and writing.
The video also helped me to gain a clear idea of how cans an individual deal with dyslexia in an effective way. For intake, according to Ross, it is highly crucial for an individual to detect that he or she is suffering from dyslexia. Detecting the issue makes it a lot easier to deal with the same (Cavalli et al., 2017). Jane stated that, it is also important to find out what are the activities an individual suffering from dyslexia is good at. This helps the person to rebuild his or her self esteem that often get affected due to the disease (Tamboer & Vorst, 2015) . When it comes to rick, he decided to go for the subjects which on involve too much reading or writing activities. Along with this, it is also crucial for educating teachers so that they can deal with students suffering from dyslexia in an effective way.
Conclusion
Finally it can
be concluded that the video “reflection of dyslexia’ ha completely changed some
of my perspective about people suffering from dyslexia. I have developed better
understanding of the issue. Not only this, I also understood the importance of
enhancing the awareness of the people suffering from dyslexia so that they can
develop more supporting attitude towards individuals suffering from the evil
disease.
Reference list
Cavalli, E., Duncan, L. G., Elbro, C., El Ahmadi, A., & Colé, P. (2017). Phonemic—Morphemic dissociation in university students with dyslexia: an index of reading compensation?. Annals of dyslexia, 67(1), 63-84.
Messurier, M., 2012. Reflections on Dyslexia. [image] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWxab4Zk1qk&feature=youtu.be [Accessed 24 Mar. 2019].
Tamboer, P., & Vorst, H. C. (2015). A New Self‐Report Inventory of Dyslexia for Students: Criterion and Construct Validity. Dyslexia, 21(1), 1-34.
Tamboer, P., Vorst, H. C. M., Ghebreab, S., & Scholte, H. S. (2016). Machine learning and dyslexia: Classification of individual structural neuro-imaging scans of students with and without dyslexia. NeuroImage: Clinical, 11, 508-514.
Introduction:
According to a report published by the Australian Dyslexia Association (2019), it has been mentioned that a total of 10% of the Australian population suffers from Dyslexia. In other words, mild to severe Dyslexia is said to affect 1 out of every 5 children in Australia (Australian Dyslexia Association, 2019). Dyslexia is Australia is treated as a condition of disability that interferes with the ability of individuals to read, write or spell with convenience (Shaywitz & Shaywitz, 2017). Within the Australian territory the terms LD (learning difficulty) or SLD (specific learning difficulty) are invariably used to refer to the challenges faced by Dyslexic children in the learning process. This assignment intends to present an empathy statement based upon the video. In addition to this, the second part of the assignment would comprise of a reflection about Dyslexia and the learning environment.
Empathy: This part needs to be answered after watching a video and you have not shared any video link with us. Therefore we are unable to address this part.
Reflection:
My professional role within the educational environment would in future be that of a psychologist, who is involved within the education system as an allied professional. Dyslexia is a difficult condition that makes reading, writing as well as other language based skills extremely difficult. However, it is important to understand that Dyslexia does not affect the general intelligence level of the children. The condition is characterized by the child having to experience social challenges such as inability of the child to perceive humor or sarcasm, experiencing difficulty in finding the correct words and inability of the child to understand social expressions. In addition to this, Dyslexia makes it difficult for the child to remember things accurately or carry out social interaction. On the basis of my learning experience, I have realized that it is important to foster an inclusive environment for the children suffering from Dyslexia. Dyslexic children are often introverted and tend to avoid social interaction for the fear of being judged or bullied by normal peers. I believe that the learning environment should not contain barriers or should not comprise of activities that can differentiate between the skills and abilities of the normal children and the Dyslexic children. It is important to include activities that can support the learning needs of the Dyslexic children and at the same time improve their social interaction level and confidence level.
As stated by Eden et al. (2016). Dyslexia is presently defined as a learning disability which is neurobiological in origin and is marked by difficulties in reading, comprehending, decoding and poor spelling ability. The mentioned difficulties can be said to arise from a deficit in the phonological component of the language which is unexpected in comparison to other cognitive abilities (Eden et al., 2016). On the basis of the value of definition, it is important that educators involve in providing effective classroom instruction (Frith, 2017). This would significantly reduce problems related to reading and comprehension which if not paid attention to leads to the development of weaker conceptual understanding and poor vocabulary.
Effective teaching and an inclusive curriculum is an important tool that directs the learning outcome of the Dyslexic children within an educational institution (Dyslexiaida.org, 2019). The policy and practice of effective teaching while dealing with Dyslexic children should lay emphasis on the special educational needs of the child and focus on the holistic development of the child, considering the strength and weaknesses of the child (Dyslexiaida.org, 2019). Educators dealing with Dyslexic children must pay attention to the talents and abilities of a Dyslexic child such as artistic skills or observation power. Educators must adapt a flexible approach to support the learning needs of the dyslexic children and make use of a teaching method that could be based upon the child’s discovered strengths (Ellis, 2016). It is important for the educators to realize that the conventional teaching methods would not support the different learning needs of the children.
I believe that that after completing the two modules, my ability to reflect on the topic has significantly improved. I have developed the skill set to introspect and understand the different learning need of children with a disorder such as Dyslexia. I have understood the learning challenges experienced by the special children and the need for the creation of an optimal learning environment to support the needs of the children.
Conclusion:
Therefore, to conclude, it can be mentioned that Dyslexic children experience
challenging learning difficulties that lower their self-esteem and confidence.
The adaption of a strength based and flexible learning approach that could
support the special learning needs of the Dyslexic children could ideally help
in promoting positive development.
References:
Australian Dyslexia Association (2019). Dyslexia in Australia. [online] https://dyslexiaassociation.org.au/dyslexia-in-australia/. Available at: https://dyslexiaassociation.org.au/dyslexia-in-australia/ [Accessed 24 Mar. 2019].
Dyslexiaida.org (2019). Do We Need a New Definition of Dyslexia? – International Dyslexia Association. [online] Dyslexiaida.org. Available at: https://dyslexiaida.org/do-we-need-a-new-definition-of-dyslexia/ [Accessed 24 Mar. 2019].
Eden, G. F., Olulade, O. A., Evans, T. M., Krafnick, A. J., & Alkire, D. R. (2016). Developmental dyslexia. In Neurobiology of Language (pp. 815-826). Academic Press.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-407794-2.00065-1
Ellis, A. W. (2016). Reading, writing and dyslexia (classic edition): a cognitive analysis. Psychology Press.p. 99. ISBN: 9781317365785
Frith, U. (2017). Beneath the surface of developmental dyslexia. In Surface dyslexia (pp. 301-330). Routledge.P.25-30. Retrieved From: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781351609784/chapters/10.4324/9781315108346-18
Shaywitz, B. A., & Shaywitz, S. E. (2017). Dyslexia. In Handbook of child language disorders (pp. 148-166). Psychology Press.P.10-12. Retrieved From: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781315283524/chapters/10.4324/9781315283531-13
