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BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me)
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Subject: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Helen Date: 18 Dec 99 - 06:46 PM H all, I've been meaning to ask this for quite a while. I am dyslexic but I have worked out ways/tricks to mostly get around the problem. I have been wondering whether there are other 'Catters here who are dyslexic. (If you want you can send me a private message rather than here in this thread) I have also found out this year that I have Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome which makes the words jump up & down on the page and is made worse by fluorescent lights. I've lived 44 years with this & finally found out that this is not just normal sight. I now have reading glasses with Irlen lenses which make it a whole lot easier, especially at work where they have fluoro's. I notice it more on the Mudcat Forum than in my usual daily socialising because it relies on typing for communication so I am constantly correcting my typing as I write. I tend to reverse the order of letters, and when I was learning to read at school I always got confused between e.g. 2's & 5's (vertical mirror reversal) and 2's & S's (horizontal mirror reversal). I could never remember which side of the road to ride my bicycle on until I bought a ring and put it on my left hand (remember, we drive on the left over here in Oz) So, I'm just interested to know if anyone else has similar experiences. Helen |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: _gargoyle Date: 18 Dec 99 - 06:58 PM It runs throughout our family. I have learned hundreds and hundred of "compensations" i.e. a lower-case "b" and "d" confused me so much that I would put the upright staff through the middle of the "o" so the letter could be "interpreted" by the reader as either one. Then when I was about age 35 a dyslexic child told me, "it's easy, you can spell the word BED can't you "B".."E".."D"....the up part of the letters make the head and foot boards....bed.... I am VERY VERY VERY happy to be dyslexic. As far as I am concerned it is a "gift" that allows me to veiw the world, its problems and solutions, differently. My brothers and father and I didn't have a name for it until the 1980's. |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: John of the Hill Date: 18 Dec 99 - 08:45 PM My son is borderline dyslexic, always has made excellent grades so the school system said he was fine. What amazes me about him, is what an astute listener he has always been. In a preliterate society, he would probably have been a keeper of knowledge. His days as a good listener will probably end soon, he recently turned 14. John |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: bbelle Date: 18 Dec 99 - 08:50 PM Helen ... Many, many artistic people are dyslexic, so you are in very good company. My nine-year-old niece, Caitlin, is dyslexic. She has a wonderful voice and a wonderful sense of the dramatic. I envy her because she can hear a song once or twice and have the tune and lyrics memorized. It sure is true that g-d gives a person compensation for those attributes that a wee bit different ... peace ... moonchild |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Barry Finn Date: 18 Dec 99 - 09:22 PM Hi Helen, in my household we compensate as a way of life. My son & I think the way you see. It sometimes seems like a gift at other times like a curse. We found out early with my son. Until I found out (after 40 yrs) what was up it was a hell I didn't know I lived in & thought it was the same for everyone else. Now it's more often a gift than not. Barry |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Rick Fielding Date: 18 Dec 99 - 09:56 PM Ahhh, an interesting thread! When I was about 12 years years old I was sent for a number of tests that might explain to my parents and teachers why I constantly scored badly in tests at school. Not 50% or even 35% badly, but 10 to 20%! I'm sure the term dyslexic wasn't around then (I'm 53), but the symptoms I tried to describe seem remarkably similar. Oddly enough, although I could grasp almost nothing (or at least repeat it back) from history, math or geography texts, I'd been reading (at home) at an adult level from quite an early age. Along with (or because of) this I was terribly introverted, and even did badly in "Art" and "Music", both of which I was later to earn my living with fairly successfully. A parallel situation that I never figured out until long after I had left school involved athletics. All through school I was terrified of "Gym". Couldn't climb the ropes, vault the "Horse", do summersaults, and always finished last in any kind of running excercise. Outside of school it was a different story. My passion was baseball (still is actually) and I went through little League, Pony, and Babe Ruth League, always the best player on my team. Quite an extrovert as well. This kind of thing can truly make someone feel that they're living a double life, and let's face it, for a teen ager ONE life can be difficult enough! Over the years I developed theories, and read voraciously to try and make sense of this with no actual answers. I just accepted that I never tried hard enough at school because of plain laziness...having forgotten that it's hard to try ANYTHING when words and numbers just seemed to re-arrange themselves in random order. Two things that helped me years later happened quite by accident. I decided to take a night school course in (of all things) Leather carving. Now by that time I'd been an entertainer for twenty years and certainly was not seen as shy by most who knew me...but the moment I walked into the school to start the leather class, Whooooo..anxiety attack! It lasted for the next couple of sessions, but was gone by the third. (which, non-coincidentally, was when the instructor asked me to help out with the class, 'cause of my drawing and draughting experience, which is a part of leather carving) Around the same time I discovered a funny little book by an equally funny little man, who among other things, strongly suggested that to be happier you must be as honest about the things you're ashamed of, as those you're proud of. Kinda frees you up to either have some control over your environment..or, (and even better) CREATE as much of your own environment as your circumstances allow. I guess in a primitive way I knew that the classroom itself was creating many of the visual and co-ordinational problems when I was a kid, and so I probably missed close to 50% of my school time through totally fraudulent illnesses. Sure got good at excuse notes though. Never had any perceptual problems forging my Mother's signature! Sorry for rambling on so. Thanks Helen and GG for sharing your experiences. |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Helen Date: 19 Dec 99 - 01:06 AM Hi again, Thanks. I knew I wouldn't be the only one here. Gargoyle, I didn't know it had a name either until about the '80's. And I like the word-picture for bed. I think it is a gift, too. I used to love mirror writing, and I'd get surprised when other people couldn't do it. I had gone from a really loving, caring, fun infants' school (elementary school? Kindergarten to Second Grade) to a pretty good primary school (Grade School?) but the first teacher I had there made me feel awful. She used to go on and on about my writing and how I wasn't trying hard enough. I remember once asking her how I was supposed to know which side of the page to start writing on and she just kept telling me the left side, the left side. Yes, but how do I know which side is left? Most of the other kids kept saying how nice she was, but I was totally confused & upset by her. I never got into physical exercise classes, either because the teacher would throw these super quick instructions - arms to the left, arms to the right, whatever, & it would take me too long to stop and figure out which was left or right, so I started making excuses so that I could get out of it. And it was worse if the teacher stood in front of the class and said to the right, and used her own right hand rather than mirroring it for us - the brain translation process got really confused then. I have been reading about it, here & there, and I think that it relates to the right and left brain functions. The latest thing I read said that in most people one side of the brain has more influence on the way we process written information but in dyslexics it is more balanced so we tend to see both sides at once and then have to go through a conscious process to make sense of what we see. I'm not explaining that very well, but that is part of why I think it is a gift - to have a balance between both sides of my brain. Helen |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Dave (the ancient mariner) Date: 19 Dec 99 - 08:58 AM Helen. I didn't know I was dyslexic until I read your posting; I have to correct my typing constantly, so I must be dyslexic. Thank God it does not hamper us from being able to communicate. Your posting shows wonderfull balance and clarity, and no confusion at all. Merry Christmas. Cordially. Dave |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: InOBU Date: 19 Dec 99 - 11:24 AM Dear Helen and others fellows of the cross wired fellowship... I have a learning disability which is almost a mirror image of dyslexia. It is a problem with sequencing simple sets, a common disability among LD law students, as Dyslexia is common among LD math and science students. We have problems with math, and get into the habit of making language problems out of math problems. We generally read well, but spell, well... the way it is obvious I do in this spell checkless forum. I appreciate you raising this question, and hope it is well read, espcially by parents on this forum. I was considered to be, not the bright one, in the family, because of my grades, where my brother, who is now a Phd. thoeretical mathamatician was concidered to be the intelect. In fact, because of the way LD students compensate, I had very high spikes in some skills, and after being encouraged to go into manual trades, I became good and angry about the state of human rights in this country, and in my thrities, went back to school, got a 4.0 in political science, and went on to a top ten law school, (NYU - then between 4 and 5 #3 about the time of my graduation). Im telling you this, not to say there is anything wonderful about my dubious accomplishments, Ive always concidered a law degree the good housekeeping seal of conformity, but just to say that no learning disability should hold anyone back. Part of that is being open about our disabilities, at least some vocal few of us, so that we can break down the missinformation about them. I cant tell you how many people I met, who think of LDs as cognitive. As a result, I was the out of the closet one, of maybe half a dozen LD students at NYU. I got into law school before the Americans with Disabilities Act, passed while I was still in school, and got in without special accomodation. However, I did need to use a lap top, I found, as my spelling was so bad I lost points on exams. After being alowed to use spell check my grades went from the bottom of the pack to a respectable middle. Bad spelling is like a strong regional accent in an inforced curve, someone has to culled out of a group with similar tallents, so subconsciously the spelling counts. We were not allowed to bring our computors into the library, and one of us had to fight the ban, as many of us learned to organize our studding around the lap top - in the days when the Grid (military ten pounder) was the first real move past the lugable. I had to get a general OK for everyone, so the presence of a lap top did not disclose a disability. I\ I completely agree with Helen. I knew most of the LD students at law school. Those with learning challenges brought different experiential pluses to their education, and more, real tallents that grew out of learning to find ways around the mountains and molehills of their disabilities. Dyslexics Untie! (Sorry for the old tired joke) All the best Larry Otway |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: _gargoyle Date: 19 Dec 99 - 12:29 PM Helen, I can relate to the name on the paper, though it was was never one of my personal "puzzels."
It is simplest of things, that are confusing.
We grew up, in my family, with nuts/bolts, motors/engines, pullys/gears, welding tourchs/blastfurnaces, as our everyday play-toys. And yet until last year I could not remember which way a nut loosens or tightens; last year I was told "Lefty loosey, Righty tighty." It worked, temporarily for that immediate project.
My mother recited the ditty "The centapede was happy quite
Just such a problem occurred with me and Lefty/Righty
I have observed knives and forks, a hundred thousand times, and still need to consult "Joy of Cooking" to remember their correct configuration before a dinner party.
Blessed by those with gifts.
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Caitrin Date: 19 Dec 99 - 12:56 PM I have a good friend who is dyslexic and had some experiences in school similar to Helen's. My father is legally blind, (His vision can be corrected with glasses) and was labeled as retarded until 3rd grade, when a teacher realized he could understand what she said, but not what she wrote on the board. Most schools seem to be really terrible about dealing with people who are special, no matter what form their difference comes in. |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: wildlone Date: 19 Dec 99 - 04:57 PM I have a similar problem to Gargoyles I have to adjust the hight of machines using nuts its ok when you look down on them but when you work underneath they become mirrored. I also used to have problems at school Mirror writing Deafness caused by the Asian flu. Blindness in one eye caused by Measles I was one of the quiet ones who was allways sat at the back of the class. |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Jeri Date: 19 Dec 99 - 05:15 PM I don't know if anyone's come up with a name for what I had, but I was also sent for all kinds of tests when I was about 8 or 9. I did very badly on written tests, but well on oral ones. I could read and understand complicated material, but I couldn't write. I was coordinated at other activities, and could draw well. It was sort of like someone with a bad stammer - the words were there, they just had a problem getting out. The psychologist said it was something to do with the message getting from my brain to my hand. There's probably an impressive term for it now, but I've never heard of anyone else with this problem. It's pretty much gone now, except for writing 5 instead of F and M instead of W sometimes, but it's only on the writing side - I always can see the mistake after I do it. It's terrible how much damage can be done before someone realizes a kid isn't just "lazy" or "stupid." |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Mary G Date: 19 Dec 99 - 05:19 PM I have the spatial thing...absolutely zero, in fact probably negative spatial intelligence...can't hit or catch balls, can't find my way out of a square building I've worked in for years...can't read a map unless I am walking very slowly...had no trouble with reading or math but taught myself how to read...didn't know left from right until probably 13 or so...still have to think about it...can't remember sequences of directions...left handed, right footed, eyed and eared...
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Mbo Date: 19 Dec 99 - 05:20 PM The Army drafted my legally blind great uncle in World World II. He made his way through his whole tour by holding onto the guy infront of him. --Mbo |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Margo Date: 19 Dec 99 - 07:06 PM I have wondered for years if I am dyslexic to some degree. I consistently switch letters around when I am reading. It is bad when I'm doing math, and read 32 instead of 23, for example. Frequently I read palace to be place or martial to be marital. (I have been alarmed to see signs that said what I thought was marital arts...) I also mix up while I'm typing, instead of typing an "s" for example, I'll type an "l" because it is done with the same finger but on the opposite hand. I have always been a very slow reader. I thought it was because I wasn't interested in reading, but not so. I like to read, but not a lot. I read music very well. I can sight read (singing) a new and unknown melody to me with ease. How odd! I wonder what it all means? I wonder if it is one small factor that joined with other genetic factors to produce my two autistic children.... Hmmmmmmmmm. Good conversation! Margo |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Little Neophyte Date: 19 Dec 99 - 07:41 PM I am also in this boat Helen. I was told I had dyslexia when I was eight years old. A classic case. It took many, many years for me to realize I was not stupid. BB
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: _gargoyle Date: 19 Dec 99 - 08:59 PM Margo - YOU However, because you are aware, you no doubt compensate, you slow down and double, triple check numbers, etc.
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Margo Date: 20 Dec 99 - 12:35 AM You bet, Gargoyle. Compensate I do. I suddenly feel a surge of relief that I may finally have a clue as to why I've never been a good reader. It is simply hard for me. Like my kids... it is simply hard for them to talk. Brain not wired right or something. No reflection on intelligence. |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Helen Date: 20 Dec 99 - 01:34 AM gargoyle, I love the centipede poem, and I failed the Cooking/Home Science test in early high school because I put the cutlery on the wrong sides of the plate. I was talking to someone I work with today about dyslexia (because I had posted this thread yesterday) and she reminded me that there are huge variations in the way that dyslexia shows up from one person to the next, so all of the differences we are talking about here can all come under the same term of dyslexia. I also remembered what the man who checked me out for Irlen lenses said, that there may be a link between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome (words moving about on the page). He also said that both syndromes can run in families. Also I realised that often the words I mis-type occur when I use two hands on one pair of letters i.e. I just typed *realsied* so *s* is left hand & *i* is right hand, and another common one is becasue instead of *because* - *u* is right & *s* is left, etc Helen
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: catspaw49 Date: 20 Dec 99 - 01:41 AM I'm gald that you stratde tihs therda Helen. I hvae on idae what its abuot but I fnid it rael entretianing. Sapw |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: _gargoyle Date: 20 Dec 99 - 02:00 AM Wow, this thread continues to hit places.
Read voraciously, all the time, lightening fast. However, I too did not recieve correction until 3rd grade....my vision is "Big E at Four Feet" ie...I can see at four feet what others see at 200 (legally, blind when uncorrected) But once I could see, I began to learn like crazy.
My mother was a home-economics teacher, and still the silverware problem. For some strange reason I cannot watch movies or television.
My grandneice at age six, is showing strong mirrored writing. Deffinately, hereditary.
I will be passing this thread on .... a high school teacher with a "strange kid/gifted kid" can use it. THANX |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Date: 20 Dec 99 - 02:29 AM Jeri, Sounds like what you have is dysgraphia. Dysgraphia is to writing as dyslexia is to reading. |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Jeri Date: 20 Dec 99 - 11:17 AM Wow - a name for it. Thanks! To digress a bit, when I was working in my former job in public health in the military, "sick building syndrome" was becoming a big deal. (My opinion is that anything called a "syndrome" is something with a bunch of loosely linked symptoms for which no cause, or many causes are identified.) One study I remember reading about was one involving flourescent lights causing headaches and eye strain. These lights actually flash on and off at 440 cycles per second (I think that means 880 "on" flashes per second - please correct me.) It has long been believed that the human eye and brain can't perceive this flashing. The study proposed the theory that people who got headaches around flourescent lights did in fact register the flashing at some sub-perceptable level. There was a double-blind study, where the lights in rooms where individuals worked were replaced by flourescent lights that worked at a higher frequency. The results: people who had the faster-flashing lights had a significant reduction in their symptoms. |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Rick Fielding Date: 20 Dec 99 - 12:06 PM Although I certainly realise from the amazingly imformative posts here, that some of my learning quirks art not strictly speaking dyslexic-related, I have a question. Garg, you referred to "lightening reading", and it rang a few bells. When I'm reading something that truly interests me, eg: Music, history, POLITICS, baseball etc. I absorb whole paragraphs at a time, and seem to be able to retain it quite easily. When I'm faced with the simplest manual explaining the workings of a computer, tape deck, assembly of a toy, or music royalties form, tax info...etc. that kind of thing, I have to go over it countless times...and often still just DON'T GET IT. I'm curious whether any other catters have a similar situation. Rick |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: alison Date: 21 Dec 99 - 08:36 AM thanks GG... for lefty loosey, and righty tighty, never could remember that.... slainte alison |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: catspaw49 Date: 21 Dec 99 - 10:10 AM Not so oddly Rick, I know EXACTLY what you're talking about! It may have to do with the right vs. left brain thing, but I don't think so. Maybe its an "interest" sort of problem. I spent the better part of my working life around cars. I read a ton of tech info and manuals and wiring diagrams, etc. Piece of cake. Although I love the net and the 'Cat (obviously)---I HATE computers. I can never understand the crap that everybody else does with ease. We just bought a new Nikon digital camera and since I enjoy photography, its no problem....really great piece of equipment. HOWEVER...The software to do all the neat album stuff is driving me nuts. I can't do hi-ho-diddly-shit with the stuff! (I'll send you a Christmas morning picture if I figure it out by then.) Same thing true with the kits for stands and such. I hate putting swing sets together, or any of that type of thing. Luckily Karen loves it and is good at it.....although when I talk about something on her car, she has no understanding of it at all. I don't even wear a digital watch because the damn things will tell you everything else BUT the time where I am! Karen bought me a great sailing watch...completely digital. After a few focked up starts in the Thistle regionals, I went back to my trusty Seiko chronograph. That's what is so weird. I love to sail and race, so you'd think I could tear through the manual and put the watch to use. Instead, I think something in my head clicks on the digital/computer thing and sends some portion of my brain into la-la land. I read a lot about acoustics and designed and built a rather exotic (for a hammered dulcimer anyway) soundbox for my dulcimers, but 5 minutes after opening the box with the new microwave stand pieces and fittings, I was ready to throw the whole works in the trash! We had a thread awhile back about woods and glues and the like and I realized how much I'd learned about them, but don't even ask me to put up shelving in the pantry. Is this making any sense? I'll spend hours meticulously bending and fitting App. dulcimer sides, but I competely lose it over a microwave stand. The directions never make any sense to me and I think its because I really don't give a turkey about a friggin stand and it looks like another piece of boring shit to me. And this simpleass computer!!!! It takes stuff and does things with it, but I can never figure out from reading all the manuals WHAT it did or WHERE it took the stuff. I find it particularly perverse that most of the manuals are now on disc and I get pissed just trying to get the damn things up on the screen!!! So does any of this ring any bells? Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Sam Pirt Date: 21 Dec 99 - 01:36 PM An interesting subject, I am actually dyslexic and I found out this last year. I am not badly dyslxic and I have always found coping mechanisms of dealing with the problems like using spell checkers. All I can say is that its a good job I play the accordion. Cheers, Sam |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Little Neophyte Date: 21 Dec 99 - 02:16 PM Rick and Catspaw, I relate to what you are saying. At the same time, I believe there is a skill to writing an 'easy to follow' instruction manual. I once watched a documentary on the individuals hired to write manuals for companies. It justified my frustation. If the manual is not user friendly, sometimes it is best to figure it out on your own. BB |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: MMario Date: 21 Dec 99 - 02:27 PM 'Spaw -- don't let anyone kid you....NO ONE understands computers....and most computer techies will be the first to admit it.... I've never been diagnosed dyslexic -- (the terms been around since the early 60's at least as that is when I learned it- from being tested for it) but have something they tell me is called "disparate focus" It seems my eyes automatically focus at different distances; and I have to use a conscious effort to get them to focus together, or else my vision blurs into surruelistic color blotches - throw in the nearsightedness and terrible astigmatism and I never knew trees actually had individual leaves until I was in 5th grade! And I was convinced that constellations were a world-wide conspiracy to make me look stupid. |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Neil Lowe Date: 21 Dec 99 - 02:32 PM Question: is this something you're born with or can it develop over time? I never had problems with numbers until a few years ago. Now I reverse the numbers sometimes. I see, for example, 43 as 34. I make this mistake quite often and I used to be dead-on if someone told me a telephone number. Now I have to write it down, and still I have to check to make sure I've not reversed a pair of numbers in there somewhere. Neil |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird) Date: 21 Dec 99 - 02:42 PM Some years ago I knew a woman who had fairly severe dyslexia. It was her parents' love and support and belief in her that helped her develop her belief in herself (notwithstanding others who called her "stupid") and succeed educationally. T. |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Sam Pirt Date: 21 Dec 99 - 06:56 PM 'Its not just what your born with, its what you do with what you got' Cheers, Sam |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: _gargoyle Date: 22 Dec 99 - 03:57 AM Eighteen years ago.
My proof reader was ill...(and eventually died)
There was a book contract for 10 chapers in a 28 chapter book, due in six months and a dissertation hanging over my head.
My spelling was abismal....this "forced me" into computers. I rented a computer at a church, weeknights, from 8:00pm...until whenever I finished, at 5.00/hour
And as they say...THAT made all the difference.
Dyslexia led me to computers (and on to becoming a better speller.) |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Magpie Date: 22 Dec 99 - 08:59 PM This has really been enlightening! I'm not dyslexic, I do know how to follow assembly manuals, I read maps and I can find my way out of most things, no matter how many corners they have. However, couldn't tell you right from left if my life depended on it. But, that's not the point. The point is, I'm a teacher. And apart from one lecture on variuos learning disabilities and difficulties, I learned tiddly squat about dyslexia! Nothing about how it affects people. Nothing about all the different kinds of dyslexia. Nothing about how, exactly, people muck up reading or writing. Not to mention that we weren't taught anything about what to do when you're faced with a kid, who's clearly not stupid or lazy, but makes a mess of any written assignment. I see them every day, and although I recognize them, I don't know how to help them. This really bothers me, because I don't want to be the terrible teacher, who's responsible for a child's self esteem being blown to bits. Thank you all for contributing to this thread! I've learned SO MUCH! Magpie |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Barry Finn Date: 22 Dec 99 - 10:50 PM Hi Magpie, not much is done in the schools for the neurologically impaired or the chemically enbalanced even now, unless the parent has the whereall &/or the resources to get their child on a plan, (504 or an IEP or something similar) & even then the school systems are far from where they should be. Some of us can't learn by ear but do fine by eye or the reverse, some of us cope well enough to slip through the cracks though if the energy were put to learning rather than coping you'd be shocked what these lazy/stupid/crazy kids could be capable of. Then again some of us can't stay focused long enough to absorb the needed information because there's a need for stimulation or when in a state of hyper stimulation that same kid can focus for days on end with an exciting/interesting hobby, so you'd no know that they couldn't do it in the first place. Some try to recross the wires by self medication, some find medical help, others find positives ways to ajust, while other get tortured/humilated by those that don't understand/care. Those that have dyslexia, ADD(attention deficit disorder), Tourettes, OCD(obsessive-compulsive disorder), Autism, ODD(oppositional defiant disorder), manic-depressive disorder, depression, schizophrenia, Asperger's, panic attacks, post tramua or any of the many other impairments may or may not be able to cope if left on their own, when a teacher or a school gets behind the kid along with the parents & others in the field the kids chances for reaching their potential increases drastically & even more with their self esteem if protected from the abuse, bulling &/or teasing that they're usually subjected to. There have been past threads related to this one but don't know where to point you to them. Hope this helps you to help, thanks for caring. Barry |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Mary G Date: 22 Dec 99 - 10:58 PM for Magpie...about teaching dyslexics...what I studied in graduate school wasn't sufficient...but there is some good research..your best bet is to (I'm sure you do) realize that kids have different learning styles, and to try to accomodate at least the major ones in most teaching units...some auditory, some group, some reading, some computer, some hands-on. You know the drill...if you are studyhing volcanos, some web search, some reading, some making one out of baking soda and whatever...And some very interesting research on learning and teaching styles...that most kids and general population is one (concrete, hands-on, kinesthetic) and most people in the teaching profession are another (auditory/verbal)...so the teacher going on her/his preferred merry style is probably reaching about 1/6 or so of the kids. |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Lonesome EJ Date: 23 Dec 99 - 03:17 AM Fascinating thread, Folks. And what a great example of how valuable Mudcat can be, even when it departs from exclusive discussions of Folk and Blues music. |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: _gargoyle Date: 23 Dec 99 - 04:37 AM Met a young man last year.
He graduated from H.S. last year at age 18 with award on top of award. Dynamite young fellow, Eagle Scout, great personality, good athlete, powerful work ethic, kind hearted and a good wood-craftsman.
However, he COULD NOT read...or write. Twelve years of intensive "special education" could not correct it....he knew his limitations and accepted them.....and yet to meet him to face to face...you would NEVER KNOW this.
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Ole Bull Date: 23 Dec 99 - 09:07 AM There must be some jokes that only work for lysdexic people. Only they will get it. And then you can start a secret society and get that fraternal recognition thing going without the mystical signs and handshakes. How cool! |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: _gargoyle Date: 23 Dec 99 - 12:42 PM There are dozens of them
My favorite, "Did you hear about the Dyslexic Theologian who worshiped his Dog?" |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: kendall Date: 23 Dec 99 - 04:27 PM I dont know what happened, I hit submit, and went off line..anyway, when I give directions, I use compass points. Dont know how anyone can know where they are going without knowing where north is. And..the man who taught me coastwise navigation always turned the chart upside down when we were going south. That drove me batty, because, my mind automatically adjusted without turning the chart. |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: jabjo Date: 23 Dec 99 - 04:40 PM If you want jokes: Dyslexia rules KO is my favourite |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Helen Date: 31 Dec 99 - 01:01 AM Hi all, Check out this really good site about dyslexia that I found while I was searching for something about right & left brain stuff. http://www.capecod.net/~rbf/a_Dyslexia_ADD2.html It explains a lot of things to me about my whole response to life, learning, people, school, work, etc. I like the idea that we are creative thinkers and have capabilities that other people don't have or even understand. It made me think of what you said, gargoyle, about it being a gift. Helen |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Rick Fielding Date: 31 Dec 99 - 01:04 AM Helen. Thanks for starting this (and bringing it back). I've done a lot of reading on the subject recently because of your efforts. Learned a lot too. Happy New Year Rick |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: JenEllen Date: 31 Dec 99 - 01:19 AM I've always had a problem with the reading end. b/p/d or 2/5/s what about the old cursive g/q thing? UGH! Horrible experience; met a wonderful guy, who happens to be blind. Went on a date, and he asked me to read the menu to him. AAAGGHH! I usually have to read a paragraph a time or two to have it sink in, and this was not an option. I nearly fainted. Helpers: Righty Tighty/ Lefty Loosy....but for others with the "gift"...stick your hands palm down in front of you...your left hand makes the shape of an "L"...I use it all the time whilst driving. |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Victoria Date: 31 Dec 99 - 10:09 AM This really is a fascinating thread, and it does me much good to be reminded that what I went through was not an isolated case. My dyslexia (and also very poor eyesight) was not diagnosed until age eleven or so, by which time I had spent far too many years at the mercy of educators who were quick to label me "Stupid", "Lazy" and "Retarded". (I wonder for how many of us those words will ring a painful bell for the rest of our lives?)My childhood was a nightmare of trying to succeed until my heart nearly broke, only to be constantly belittled and punished for "not trying". When I was in school (and a supposedly progressive, private school at that!) there was little enough known about dyslexia and it's attending conditions, to allow for any recognition of my problems. I scored consistantly high when administered countless IQ tests,scored high above my age/grade level when tested orally, excelled at aural learning, and won every (oral)spelling bee in elementary school....but could not pass a written test to save my life. I am happy to say (due entirely to the love and persistance of my parents, and exactly TWO teachers who cared)that I was eventually diagnosed, and shown coping and compensation skills that allowed me learn despite my disability. Though I used to live in abject terror of speaking in front of a group,was unable to process letters or numbers properly, and was told by several schools that I would never make it through high school, I graduated, became an honor roll college student, and now make my living as a teacher, a writer and an actress. (with free lance work in art, interior decor, floral arrangement and clothing design, just to name the more visual vocations) I would like to applaud and echo what someone quoted above; "It's not just what your given, it's what you do with what you've got" (-Si Khan). What drove me to become a teacher, by the way, were the emotional scars inflicted on me by so-called educators, who called me stupid and lazy to my face.I wanted to have a classroom for kids, in which someone took the time to UNDERSTAND. My Aunt (who is in the medical field) once made a sad but accurate remark - she said "By the time learning disabilities are diagnosed, half of these kids don't have enough self esteem left to overcome them". The inverted letters, reversed numbers and other symptoms I can compensate for and live with...but it took me over twenty years to regain the confidence and self esteem, that PEOPLE (not my disability) robbed me of in childhood. To me, the loss of self believe is the far greater disability. Has anyone else had similar experiences? |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Rick Fielding Date: 31 Dec 99 - 11:18 AM Familiar story. Thanks Victoria, have you read all the preceding accounts in this thread? You're not alone. Rick |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Helen Date: 31 Dec 99 - 06:45 PM Victoria, Thanks. What can I say? Everything you said is so much like my own experiences, except that I was not diagnosed with dyslexia, I discovered information about it when I was about late 20's or so. Also I *mostly* had caring teachers who were basically nice people so they didn't call me stupid, but I got so tired of reading my report cards which said: Helen isn't trying, Helen could do better, etc Read the webpage I linked to in my last posting - it shows lots of compensation mechanisms, like left-hand L, but the stuff about special creative gifts is very exciting - to be recognised as different *and* special in the positive sense of the word is nice, for a change. Helen |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: JenEllen Date: 31 Dec 99 - 08:04 PM For all with the gift...this song cracked me up I was only seven/ When I learned how to read/ I got the education/ Every child is guaranteed/ We read around the classroom/ Teacher hollered "next"/ But I was only comfortable with reading Hebrew text/ I'm dyslexic/ And I'm mad (D.A.M) I met a guy named Otto/ I loved him for his name/ Backwards and forwards/ It always looked the same/ He took me to a musical/ I gave him such a hug/ I said "What a great production of "Annie Get Your Nug" / I'm dyslexic/ And I'm mad (D.A.M) Ditty ditty wah do/ Ditty ditty wah do/ Backwards, forwards, sideways, up and down, down and out/ Hell it's all so topsy turvy, it makes me wanna shout/ Is there anybody out there who can lift this mental fog?/ It's enough to get me on my knees/ Praying to my dog Driving down the highway/ On a dark and stormy night/ I hit the left hand signal/ Of course I headed right/ A cop gave me a ticket/ What was even worse/ When I went to pull away from him/ I threw it in reverse/ Oh well...tish happens Some folks say it's a handicap/ But I think they're wrong/ Cause I get the backwards lyrics in those heavy metal songs/ Internet connections, pet psychology/ The timer on the VCR/ They all make sense to me/ Cause I'm dyslexic/ Hot Damn (M.A.D.)/ Yeah I'm dyslexic/ and I'm mad (D.A.M.)/ Ditty ditty wah dooooooooo
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: wildlone Date: 31 Dec 99 - 09:00 PM hawt a efin snog ***BG*** Did you know that an anagram of dyslexia is sex daily |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: MarkS Date: 31 Dec 99 - 09:11 PM Wonderful thread. Always had a tendency to transpose letters and numbers. Now have learned to live with it due to spell checkers and spreadsheets, but am old enough to remember the good old days. Perhaps I am not the only one with this tendency, and what I do in not uncommon. I know this is not music, but hearty thanks to all for the sharing of their experiences. |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Victoria Date: 01 Jan 00 - 03:17 PM I think that it makes a great deal of difference to know that lots of people have been through the same things one has experienced. the prevalance of these types of disabilities has also brought awareness and education to a much higher level - one I fervently hope will help today's children accept and cope with their disabilities a lot better that I ever had the chance to do. Oddly, looking back on my own life and childhood though, I recognized something interesting - if anything, the learning disabilities that I had, urged me to push further and try harder, as an adult, rather than the other way around. The saddest thing is that kids (as opposed to adults) don't always have the perspective to do that, and so often give up on themselves instead. Someone posted above a remark about how much harder learning disabled kids work..."imagine what these so-called "lazy" kids could accomplish if they weren't held back by dyslexia" (I am paraphrasing, I apologize) -isn't it ironic that those kids are actually putting out MORE effort than the other kids, and often getting no credit at all for doing so? I will never forget my fourth grade teacher (Mrs. Baker!) She was so often unable to say "You got that right" to me.... but she NEVER failed to say "I appreciate how hard you are trying." that alone, was what made me keep attempting.I'll never forget her for that. What an impact that made! |
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Subject: Lyr Add: You Wouldn't Know It to Look at Me^^ From: Barry Finn Date: 01 Jan 00 - 05:41 PM I post this once & awhile to threads on this subject & it's been awhile, sorry for the repost to any who've already seen this. Barry
You Wouldn't Know It To Look At Me (words; Barry Finn) (tune; Australian, Trad. "One Of The Has Beens")
"You're not listening to me are you deaf in both ears.
Chorus:
Well, school is a torture, the teasing won't quit.
The kids scorn & laugh at me, I don't have a friend.
I know it's hard on my family, I can't change a thing.
I never feel comfort, no shoulder, no hug.
Chorus:
I may be mildly autistic or just plain O.C.D.
Chorus:
Copyright Barry Finn 1998 |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: wildlone Date: 01 Jan 00 - 05:54 PM A couple of good songs there JenEllen, Barry. Suprising isn't it how the dreaded BS: can turn up music,maybe some of us have expirienced life.***BG*** |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: InOBU Date: 02 Jan 00 - 11:28 AM During a rally in DC there was a banner, WAD, Dyslexics Against War... Alrry |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull Date: 10 Jul 01 - 10:45 PM Nice thread |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: GUEST,Ed Date: 11 Jul 01 - 05:33 AM This site www.dyslexic.org, whilst not yet finished, may be of use to some people. Ed |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: InOBU Date: 11 Jul 01 - 08:58 AM Good on ya Ed... Larry |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Mrs.Duck Date: 11 Jul 01 - 02:42 PM I like Magpie am a teacher and have been taught absolutely nothing about dyslexia. When my eldest daughter started school I was concerned that despite obvious intelligence and ability to learn she struggled with reading. One teacher even said she read slowly on purpose and that this meant she could only read one page a week instead of a book like the rest of them. She is now 17 and when she started college they gave all the students a dyslexia test and she came out as borderline or mild dyslexic. She still finds reading and spelling a chore but has managed despite the system which failed to recognise the problem earlier on. She is also left handed and we think this may have been an effect of her having been born with very low apgar scores (2) after a long and difficult birth rather than an inherited thing. BTW watch out for her in years to come on the stage or TV as she wants to be an actress and is currently studying Performing Arts. |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Donuel Date: 11 Jul 01 - 02:50 PM I would have posted sooner but I had a bad case of airraid. Certain forms of dysexia along with migriane has made self employment a necessity. So I do this: florgitate here |
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Subject: RE: BS: /OS: Any dyslexic 'Catters? (Like me) From: Helen Date: 09 Jun 02 - 08:42 PM fre-resh for the dexlexigburg thread
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=48392&messages=19 This was such a lovely thread the first time around, why not set it in motion again, for the sheer simple joy of it. Helen |