He’s not just Denzel’s son. John David Washington is the action hero of Christopher Nolan’s Tenet and former NFL running back, and one of Time Magazine’s NEXT 100 leaders who will shape the world’s future. And he’s also dyslexic. John David has talked about his dyslexia, usually mentioning things in passing – like how writing in different colors helps because he’s dyslexic – but he hasn’t discussed in-depth how he overcame the challenges of dyslexia and demands for things like sight-reading or learning scripts. He has said, though, that his mother, Paulette Washington helps him with every aspect of his career, including pre-reading scripts and helping him practice his lines. Interestingly, John David initially avoided acting because he didn’t want to be hired […]
How Not To Give Up On Learning A Second Language [Premium]
Learning second languages are difficult for many dyslexic students; foreign language waivers or substitutions are common, but in spite of this, many can learn other languages and even multiple languages if the goal is conversation. Writing and spelling second and third language can be more difficult, but also possible for many people. Students may be more successful if they able to study over a longer time and if they have learned more about the structure of language in their native tongue. In the video below, listen to 4 Hour Work Week guru Tim Ferriss (yes, he’s dyslexic) talk about how he learned to be able to converse in many foreign languages. The type of learning described, won’t necessarily make you a master of […]
Dyslexia at College: Chat With Xinru at Brown [Premium]
Recently I had the pleasure of talking to Xinru about dyslexia, college, and computer languages. Xinru’s currently studying both music and computer sciences at Brown University, an Ivy League university that is known for its “Open Curriculum” – that allows students to choose their personal course of study. But briefly, I found her when she posted her 10 Ways to Code with ADHD and Dyslexia (see below). She talks so fast, at times I had to listen to her on 1/2 speed; I think that means she’s a fast thinker too! Xinru first came to the US when she was just 8 years old; although she had trouble reading and writing in the early grades, she said she could “get away with” saying that she […]
Free Structured Literacy Resources [Premium]
Even if these are unprecedented frustrating times for instruction due to the pandemic, there are occasional upsides – like the increased availability of free resources about structured literacy now available on the web. In many respects, it’s never been easier to sample different curricula, look at how others introduce lessons, and take advantage of free resources posted online. As an example, for those using the Wilson system, here is a teletherapy site where teachers have uploaded lessons. Here is a board that can be used if you’d like to work with a student remotely or simply give your student digital manipulatives for lessons. https://sites.google.com/view/teletherapyforwilsonproviders/home Work directly online with a board HERE. Get a copy of the board HERE. […]
Dyslexic Strengths: Nonverbal Super Powers [Premium]
“Did you see how their finance person rolled her eyes when the marketing guy was talking?” she’d observe. “They’re just not on the same page.” Or she might explain why the no’s they heard on various proposals could mean different things…” Michael Wheeler, from The Art of Negotiation about Erin Egan At one of our Conferences on Dyslexia and Innovation, Erin Egan, at that time, one of Dyslexic Advantage’s Board members, spoke about her experiences with dyslexia. If you only heard about her struggles, you’d miss that she was a leading negotiator for such powerhouse companies as Microsoft and Airbus. From Michael Wheeler again: “It’s as if Erin has social sonar, a way of seeing the interpersonal cross-currents below the surface and the forces […]
Inspiration: Dyslexia At Oxford
This is an extraordinary collection of 21 interviews of people at Oxford. We should never underestimate the potential of people with dyslexia. The talents,...
Resilience and Emotional Intelligence
There's some great advice in this online webinar from Emotional Intelligence Coach (and also dyslexic!) Monique Wintle Camp. Some highlights: Be alert to signs of stress...
Surviving and Thriving in Hybrid Classrooms
With the rise in vaccinations, many schools have opened with a hybrid schedule which has some pros and cons for dyslexic students. ONLINE ASSIGNMENTS - GROUP PARTICIPATION and AUDIO The reduction in written assignments since of the start of the pandemic has...
Homeschooling or Modified Schooling?
This is an older post from when students were heading back to school after the pandemic. We'll keep it up in case it's helpful for other families considering homeschooling or modified schooling First off, it's best to be aware that there is rarely a perfect...
Legendary Sea Explorer Dr. Robert Ballard
"I grew up wanting to be Captain Nemo from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea..." "I wish everyone recognized that dyslexia has its advantages." - Robert Ballard It's not just Bob's accomplishments that make his autobiography so compelling, but his focus, resilience,...
Guiding and Teaching Tortoises and Hares [Premium]
Now the preceding article might suggest that the issue of processing speed is a simple one for individual students, but as George Dorry alluded to in his article, The Tortoise Hypothesis, there may be other factors involved. George’s article is a bit tongue-in-cheek, but he raises the practical complexities of trying to figure out just what is going on with a particular student. George again: “If you were hoping for a single benign explanation for processing speed difficulties, ‘abandon all hope ye who enter here’.” There are many to consider. As you read the following descriptions, remember that these hypotheses are not mutually exclusive. They may be co-occurring, or they only occur in some circumstances and not in others… Under ODD or Oppositional Defiant Disorder, […]
Sneaky Free Ways To Get Kids Reading [Premium]
We all know the drill – we want kids to read so that reading gets easier so it’s more fun to read, but it’s too hard to read now, so they don’t read, there’s no practice, and reading comes to a standstill. So how can we get them to read? HELP THEM FIND THE RIGHT BOOK AT THE RIGHT LEVEL In order for students to enjoy reading, a book should be at the right level for their interest, but also right level for their current reading level. FINDING THE LEXILE LEVEL THEN SELECT THE ‘JUST RIGHT’ BOOKS IN YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY It’s estimated that almost 1/2 of public school children have been assigned a Lexile Level based on their most recent […]
