So many of the children I have worked with come to me with a burden. They know that they are different than many others in their classroom. When asked to read out loud, they feel shame, after hearing others before them read smoothly and quickly.
Self confidence lessens. They sit in the back. They shrink in their seat. They feel ill right before language arts begins, or really create any opportunity to leave. Perhaps they wake up with a stomach ache and don't want to even go to school. Sometimes they become the class clown, to make up for the deficit that they feel. They feel hurt and angry.
Some of my families prefer that I don't mention dyslexia when working with their child, to avoid the label and I understand and of course comply with their wishes. However, my feeling is this.
Dyslexia is not a disability. It can be labeled that for academic purposes, ones that solidify that there is indeed an issue that qualifies them for services. This is just how it is. In my studio and on my Zoom meeting with them, however, we do not discuss any such thing.
My students have superpowers. We talk about strengths, capability, dreams and aspirations, despite dyslexia. Feeling safe to share what it is they love to do (and are good at) is paramount for me. Legos, hand knitting, clay sculptures...it all comes out in the last five minutes of class for share time.
This makes my heart sing.
Because. Dyslexia is a tiny island in the sea of the mind. All of my students are: socially intelligent, bright, determined, able to visualize projects and concepts in an amazing way. Some have the vocabulary of a 30 year old. They shine in many other subjects other than reading in school. They draw on my white boards, think about concepts in a whole new way. And, these characteristics often come easier to my dyslexic students than the non-dyslexic students.
"Yes darling, you are different. I hope that some day you realize that not fitting is actually not a good thing."
Shine on! Wear it proudly.
Art courtesy of Kathrin Longhurst - Words courtesy of Brooke Hampton
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