Dyslexia

[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi]

I watched a very interesting program on TV, which was all about a former Eastenders Actress (Kara Tointon) and her struggle with Dyslexia. She went and had a number of reading tests with a specialist who tried out a number of coloured transparencies over the text. She then had a more detailed analysis done to get a tinted pair of prescription reading glasses made.

To learn her lines for Eastenders she would write them out over and over and get her parents to act them out with her (this took much effort). In the program she learned a technique using postit notes with key words on them which she linked together. Anyway it worked wonders for her.

 

Heres a link.

BBC - BBC Three Programmes - Kara Tointon: Don't Call Me Stupid

Unfortunately the footage doesnot appear to be available any more.

 

I don't suffer myself but I hope this is of interest.

 

All the best

[Andy Collins]

Dont know much about anything, but I wonder if the stress(?) from your finding out your wifes pregnancy flipped a switch in your head. The excitement, anxiety, leaping into the unchartered territory for you can trigger hidden issues. As I said, I dont know anything, but would perhaps a course of hynotherapy help you? I think you may have developed a coping mechanism, which puts certain things away in those boxes in the "loft" of your brain.

[Jonesie]

Hi Stevie

 

May not be much help, but in the shop there is always so much going on I can't help but listen to all the conversations going on, this is fine until I need to do something I need to concentrate on. If I cut out all the noise I'm fine but otherwise a 10 minute job becomes a 30 minute job, I may look like a numpty but you can quite often see me in the shop wearing a pair on ear defenders, keeps me focused on what I'm doing.

 

Also for memory I'm going to send you a book I read, I think you will find it interesting and you won't forget things after you start using the techniques. Don't think of it as a Magic book as that might put you off it's more about how he can perform tricks using memory.

 

[WeeDee]

Hi Stevie, along with being a tree cutter I'm a qualified teacher - primary school. We are always attending training regarding dyslexia.

You're right about the range of 'symptoms' that a dyslexic may exhibit, but they don't all have to be present - nor does the presence of these symptoms neccessarily mean you have dyslexia.

It doesn't just affect the written word but is a condition that affects the processing of information in the brain as some of the people have already said.

It seems to be already ' hard-wired' in the brain from birth - this isn't always noticed by the dyslexic. Indeed many people go through life without knowing they suffer from it! In-life events may trigger a deeper awareness of one's dyslexia but I am unaware of it ever 'creating' the condition. As Andy has said, your change of lifestyle/priorities may have placed stress on you that produces symptoms that are similar to dyslexia - it's impossible to know without proper investigation.

Andy also used the word 'coping' and that's what teacher are charged with doing - helping the dyslexic find strategies that help them cope with a condition for which there is no cure but one that is kept in perspective by many sufferers - some of whom have already proved that on here!

If you are able, Stevie, get some local advice. But don't assume your difficulties arise from dyslexia until you're a wee bit better informed - then your 'solution' will be better placed.

 

Dee

[MattyF]

After I left school this woman came to visit me and offered help for writing ect I never had an idea I might be dyslexic I didn't Evan know what it was!! But apparantly the school had gathered this since i was about 9 as i could not really read then!!!I just went through school being asked to leave pretty much every lesson for being to disruptive! Interestingly the woman who taught me said it's not a sighn of being stupid which I had gone through school feeling, it's sort of there are many thought patterns and dyslexic people don't follow them as normal patterns are sort of too boring or just don't make sense, The only way I can remember things is by asociating them with things I like or will never forget from life experiences say other wise my brain has no interest at all in remembering them!!! I do find it frustrating at times as I know if I was more academic I could push my business further,but happier now than I have been, my writting skills have improved I love reading and I can do maths through understanding it through my own train of thought unlike what I was taught at school wich made no sense what so ever and just left me bored and frustrated .

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Stevie, if there is one thing i would say to you is learn to control your inner anxieties, I suspect like another poster here, that the pregnancy flipped a switch, and ever since youve had anxiety about being all you should be/become, changing too much too soon, and focusing on delivering the new stevie is causing many other aspects of your world to be pushed out of your thought processes.

 

Your so hyper Stephen, calm the inner ocean and lessen your grip on life, you cant maintain control over all aspects at all times, to attempt to do so will drive you insane! When you relax and realise that and accept that S... happens and that it doesnt make you less of a man, then the rest will follow naturally.

 

It may surprise you that I too have great difficulties in learning, it is why despite my more than capable self I cannot do the academic thing, it is my kryptonite. I have learnt that in order for me to actualy learn anything i have to be calm, and relax, as soon as I cease enjoying what I am reading I put it down, and start something else, another book say. this means I take it in slower than most, and have to re go over much many times, but eventualy it sticks, and becomes part of my own knowledge.

 

The key is to stop trying, and to start focusing on its pleasure rather than its need.

 

remember, your trying to learn because you want to, not because your being forced to, make it enjoyable by only doing it when it feels like fun rather than compulsory or hard work.

 

the big key is to be relaxed, and that for you my friend is going to be the biggest obstacle, despite the denial!

 

Ive got a lot of time for you my friend, trust me if I can learn anyone can, because |I am a total numb nuts!

[Stephen Blair]

cheers everyone, all good info. I will look into getting a proper test.

[skyhuck]

The only way I can remember things is by asociating them with things I like or will never forget from life experiences say other wise my brain has no interest at all in remembering them!!!.

 

 

I am just the same.

 

When I was at primary school I could not really read or recite the alphabet, but would win every general knowledge quiz we did (even against children much older than me) as any information I heard that interested me I never forgot.

 

My eldest daughter also has dyslexia, as we are doing some research I am finding out things about myself that I did not know were caused by dyslexia, such as my inability to keep time with others clapping. If we are at a show and the audience starts clapping along, I have never been able to synchronize with every one else, apparently this is a classic dyslexia thing.

 

I spell check all my posts.

[Stephen Blair]

Huck i do not have any rhythm what so ever, lol. I was always good at school, i was always in the top 90's for my tests, i got a 1 for English, 2 for maths and a 1 for arithmetic. I was always on time and very organised as long as i can do it my way.

Once i have no control of the situation i get panicky and just can not think straight, my mind just goes blank.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Huck i do not have any rhythm what so ever, lol. I was always good at school, i was always in the top 90's for my tests, i got a 1 for English, 2 for maths and a 1 for arithmetic. I was always on time and very organised as long as i can do it my way.

Once i have no control of the situation i get panicky and just can not think straight, my mind just goes blank.

 

Anxiety/control

 

lose the need to be in control, and lose the anxiety found when the control is lost!