Famous Dyslexics and Quotes

Famous Dyslexics Pablo Picasso Leonardo Da Vinci Thomas Edison Jay Leno Whoopi Goldberg Walt Disney Albert Einstein Alexander Graham Bell General George S. Patton Winston Churchill Danny Glover Fred Astaire George Bush Henry Ford Hans Christian Anderson Harvey Cushing "Stonewall" Jackson Robin Williams Harrison Ford Sylvester Stallone Charles Schwab William Butler Yeats

Quotes From Famous Dyslexics Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world. - Albert Einstein If, at first, an idea is not absurd, there is no hope for it. - Albert Einstein Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. - Scott Adams (Cartoonist) By logic and reason we die hourly. By imagination we live. - William Butler Yeats Before you can do something that you've never done, you have to be able to imagine it is possible. - Jean Shinoda Bolen If you can dream it, you can do it. - Walt Disney It's kind of fun to do the impossible. - Walt Disney A teacher sent the following note home with a six-year-old boy: "He is too stupid to learn." That boy was Thomas A. Edison. - Thomas Edison If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves. - Thomas Edison Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I learn. Involve me and I remember. - Benjamin Franklin Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. - Albert Einstein

Description of Dyslexia

Description of Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a type of disorientation caused by a cognitive ability that can replace normal sensory perceptions with conceptualizations. When this ability is used in reaction to confusion with 2-dimensional symbols, problems can occur. Dyslexia becomes a learning disability when a person is forced to assimilate information while confused, so they end up developing compulsive coping and compensatory patterns. Dyslexia encompasses many different learning disabilities, including dysgraphia (handwriting difficulties), dyscalculia (problems with math), ADD or ADHD (attention deficit disorder), problems with coordination and balance, auditory perception deficits, and problems with order and time. Because so many diagnoses fall under the category of dyslexia, there are thousands of different combinations of symptoms that could result from these learning disabilities. The degrees and severity of the symptoms displayed vary from person to person and from time to time in an individual. This is why, for example, at some times reading may be easier than other times. Despite common thought, dyslexia is not a disease or malfunction of the brain. Dyslexia is a perceptual talent. It is the ability to see, hear, feel, and sense what one is imagining as if it were real. It’s a natural ability to view and interpret the world in creative and innovative ways. Dyslexia is a gift. It’s a creative way of processing information through multi-dimensional thinking. Dyslexics are visual-spatial thinkers who usually learn best through hands-on experience. Dyslexia enhances talents and performance in area such as: Spatial awareness, strategic planning, mechanical arts, drama/role playing, music/dancing, inventing, designing, manual skills, art, building, athletics, engineering, storytelling, and architecture. The negative effects of dyslexia on learning can be corrected so that all that is left is the wonderful and creative gift of dyslexia!

Vocabulary Words Will be the Death of ME!!

So, I have not written in some time.  My life has been a little chaotic the past few months but I plan to start back now!  I have only 3 classes left until I am finished with my MBA and my goal of working on a non-profit organization advocating the awareness of Dyslexia is still my goal.  And my frustration with the lack of knowledge and diagnosis is rising each day I spend working with Isaac.  He gets a huge list of vocabulary words at the beginning of each week.  These are printed in small font and have many words on one page.  It took me a few weeks to realize he was having some major issues with the font.  See, the typewriter 'a' is something that he has problems with.  He see's the typewriter 'a' as the letter 'e'.  Again, he didn't tell me that was the reason because he really thought that it was the letter 'e'.  When he couldn't read the word Sad, I knew something was wrong.  And the crazy thing is that kids with dyslexia are very inconsistent in their reading.  One time he can get the word, the next time he can't.  But see Isaac saw the word Sad as Sed.  After tears filled his eyes, my heart broke.  He gets so frustrated and emotional.....yet another symptom. His word list today has 'br' and 'dr' words.  Are you kidding me?  he confuses "b's" with "d's" all the time.  He told me just tonight that when he writes those letters he has to stop and really think about it and still mixes them up.  Then he asked me "why do I do that?  why am I so dumb at reading and writing?"  :(  And most teachers and reading specialists are not educated on Dyslexia, and this really makes me sad.  So, this is what I am doing...spreading AWARENESS!!  I'm not crazy, I know Isaac is dyslexic.  His school tests may not say that on his IEP, but I know that is his problem.  So the question is how do we fix it??

Here is a list of common characteristics and most will have at least 3-4 of these...I will add Isaac's name to the ones he has and let me know if you think he has it or not!!

37 Common Characteristics of Dyslexia

Most dyslexics will exhibit about 10 of the following traits and behaviors. These characteristics can vary from day-to-day or minute-to-minute. The most consistent thing about dyslexics is their inconsistency. General Appears bright, highly intelligent, and articulate but unable to read, write, or spell at grade level.  -Isaac Labeled lazy, dumb, careless, immature, "not trying hard enough," or "behavior problem."  -Isaac Isn't "behind enough" or "bad enough" to be helped in the school setting.  -Isaac (that was a fight for the IEP) High in IQ, yet may not test well academically; tests well orally, but not written. -Isaac Feels dumb; has poor self-esteem; hides or covers up weaknesses with ingenious compensatory strategies; easily frustrated and emotional about school reading or testing.  -Isaac (he tells me he is dumb all the time while reading, it is so sad!) Talented in art, drama, music, sports, mechanics, story-telling, sales, business, designing, building, or engineering. -Isaac (sports for sure!) Seems to "Zone out" or daydream often; gets lost easily or loses track of time. -Isaac Difficulty sustaining attention; seems "hyper" or "daydreamer." -Isaac (he is hyper) Learns best through hands-on experience, demonstrations, experimentation, observation, and visual aids. -Isaac Vision, Reading, and Spelling Complains of dizziness, headaches or stomach aches while reading. - Isaac (stomach ache) Confused by letters, numbers, words, sequences, or verbal explanations. -Isaac Reading or writing shows repetitions, additions, transpositions, omissions, substitutions, and reversals in letters, numbers and/or words. -Isaac (reversals is bad for him with letters) Complains of feeling or seeing non-existent movement while reading, writing, or copying. -Isaac Seems to have difficulty with vision, yet eye exams don't reveal a problem. Isaac (his eyes are always fine when the exams are done, yet has a hard time seeing the words) Extremely keen sighted and observant, or lacks depth perception and peripheral vision. Reads and rereads with little comprehension. -Isaac Spells phonetically and inconsistently. Isaac  (this one is huge!!) Hearing and Speach Has extended hearing; hears things not said or apparent to others; easily distracted by sounds.  Difficulty putting thoughts into words; speaks in halting phrases; leaves sentences incomplete; stutters under stress; mispronounces long words, or transposes phrases, words, and syllables when speaking. -Isaac Writing and Motor Skills Trouble with writing or copying; pencil grip is unusual; handwriting varies or is illegible. -Isaac (soooo him!) Clumsy, uncoordinated, poor at ball or team sports; difficulties with fine and/or gross motor skills and tasks; prone to motion-sickness. Can be ambidextrous, and often confuses left/right, over/under. -Isaac (writes with left, but can with right, eats with left but can with right, throws with right, bats right, carries a football and kicks with left.) Math and Time Management Has difficulty telling time, managing time, learning sequenced information or tasks, or being on time. -Isaac Computing math shows dependence on finger counting and other tricks; knows answers, but can't do it on paper. -Isaac (he does a lot in his head) Can count, but has difficulty counting objects and dealing with money. -Isaac (awful dealing with money) Can do arithmetic, but fails word problems; cannot grasp algebra or higher math. -Isaac (word problems are a nightmare for him, unless you read it to him) Memory and Cognition Excellent long-term memory for experiences, locations, and faces. Poor memory for sequences, facts and information that has not been experienced. -Isaac Thinks primarily with images and feeling, not sounds or words (little internal dialogue). -Isaac Behavior, Health, Development and Personality Extremely disorderly or compulsively orderly. -Isaac (disorderly) Can be class clown, trouble-maker, or too quiet.  Had unusually early or late developmental stages (talking, crawling, walking, tying shoes). Isaac (late talking, early crawling and walking) Prone to ear infections; sensitive to foods, additives, and chemical products. -Isaac (lactose intolerant) Can be an extra deep or light sleeper; bedwetting beyond appropriate age . Unusually high or low tolerance for pain. -Isaac (low) Strong sense of justice; emotionally sensitive; strives for perfection. -Isaac (emotionally sensitive, strives for perfection with sports) Mistakes and symptoms increase dramatically with confusion, time pressure, emotional stress, or poor health. -Isaac So, you tell me do you think Isaac may very well be dyslexic??  He has 31 of the 37...some more extreme than others. © 1992 by Ronald D. Davis (Used with Permission)

Advanced Math with a First Grade Reading Level

At the beginning of each new school year each student goes through all of the testing to see what levels they are at.  Reading and math tests were given to each child to determine what classes they will be going to.  Isaac has been on the first grade reading level since 3rd grade and has moved up now to almost a 2nd grade reading level.  So, when I get a letter sent home that states that Isaac has tested above average in his math section and has qualified to be in the accelerated math program, I thought there must be some mistake.  Last year he did okay in math, but nothing like this.  And then I got to thinking, he did great with his math problems except when there were word problems.  He would struggle and struggle with his homework and when I would read the word problems to him he would calculate it in his head.  I was amazed.  He started getting the special help he needed in January and all I can say is it has made a big difference.  From doing just okay, to doing his 5th grade math along with 6th grade math.  So at this rate he will be able to do Pre-Algebra next year.  


He does his 6th grade work at home, and watching him work out his problems was amazing today.  I mean I had to drag out the calculator to make sure his answers were correct.  The way he works it out is extremely unique, but to his eyes it is normal.  However he gets the correct answer is what is important to me.  He does so much of the work in his head and only writes it out if he has to.  See, when he works it out on paper it is a lot harder for him due to his dyslexia.....its like wires get crossed from what he sees in his mind and how he puts it down on paper.  All I can say is I am so proud of him for not giving up and fighting back.  I always gets so frustrated with him because sometimes he can act like such a baby and over-react.  He also hates losing at anything, board games, video games, sports, etc.  But if we walked in his shoes, we would see how he sees.  He always felt like he was stupid.  He would tell me that all the time.  "Mom, I try and try so hard but I just can't do it.  I'm just stupid".  I don't know how many times I heard that one. But the one thing he had on everyone else is his athletic ability.  I mean the kids taught himself how to ride a bike at 3 and was jumping off ramps within two month. He tried skateboarding and fell off a couple of times, and his determination that he has to master it payed off.  He practiced for a few hours straight and was rolling up and down the sidewalk like he had been riding for months.  When the Rip Stix became all the rage and he got one for his birthday he was so excited.  If you know anything about a Rip Stix, then you know that thing is insane.  He had me pull the car out of the garage so he could just work on going around in a circle until he mastered it.  He did by the end of the day.  Joey tried to get on it, and well let me just say that was a sight to see.  


The thing is, dyslexics will find something that they can master like sports, art, mechanics, etc.  Dyslexics also make great architects, because they see things in 3-D.  They are creative, they often have high IQ scores, and some are even geniuses.  Did you know that Albert Einstien was dyslexic?  I didn't but he is.  Also, Charles Schwab is.  He never reads book, only listens to them on CD.  I would have never guessed.  


I am so thankful that I followed my instinct and fought for him.  They told me he was ADHD, that I should have him tested.  I knew he wasn't......so after 3 1/2 years of being his advocate I was rewarded.  The smile on his face when he gave me that letter that said he made the accelerated math class was worth every battle.  I know my fight isn't over.  I know that I will always have to be the one standing beside him, until he can do it on his own.  I have told all three of my children that they can be ANYTHING they want to be.  They just have to put forth the effort and hard work.  

My Very First Blog

This is my very first blog, ever.  Imagine that....but thanks to a great idea from my step-mom, I am now officially blogging.  So, going to talk about the trials and errors of dyslexia and my son.  I am currently four classes away from having my MBA and one of my goals after my graduation is to start a non-profit organization for parents of children with dyslexia.  I didn't realize the fight that I would have to get my son the help he needed.  Isaac is the middle child of three boys.  He is for sure a middle child, who tests the boundaries each and every day of his life.  He was the easiest pregnancy and birth I had, and was a great little baby.  But he began to really push his limits around age two.  He is strong-willed and stubborn.  He tends to over dramatize everything and 'cry's wolf' a lot. He is also the kid with a huge heart, and would be the one to take care of me when I grow old.  He is extremely athletic.  Sports of any sort comes naturally to him.

When he was one I took him to the doctor for his year old check-up, and told the doctor that something is not right.  He only spoke a couple of words and I was very concerned because his brother who was just 17 months older was talking in full sentences at one.  The doctor told me not to worry, he had second child syndrome, that his older brother talks for him.  Until recently I didn't realize that his slow to speak was due to his dyslexia.  At four years old his older brother taught himself to read, and at four Isaac was far from it.  By first grade I became concerned that he had a learning disability, but was told by everyone that he is fine.  He would always write his sentences completely backwards, not just words, but whole sentences.  Academically he was not near what his older brother was, and it was hard for me.  His oldest brother just did things, I didn't have to show him, or work with him.  Isaac was a different story.  My patience would wear so thin, thinking he was just lazy and didn't want to try.  Now, I know that was not the case, but it was so hard for me at the time.

When he was five I went through some major life changes.  Their was an addition to the family, a third boy to take care of.  Along with the boys father, who slowly drank his marriage and relationship away.  When I left their father he was drinking a fifth and a pint of vodka a day.  I fought for my boys and won.  So, as a single mom with full custody of three wonderful boys, who worked full-time, and still had to fight for her son's education.  Isaac is almost 11 years old now, and was just diagnosed with dyslexia in January.  He is improving and has a confidence that he never had before.  So, what my intentions with this blog, is to talk about our discovery of his dyslexia.  From when I first realized he was dyslexic, to when his teachers did.  The battles I had to fight and how I can help others realize that they are not alone!!

So, that is all for tonight!  I look forward to discussing this information and leaving tips for parents that think their child may be or is dyslexic.