Overcoming Dyslexia: Strategies and Success Stories
I struggled with dyslexia during my schooling but managed to complete a masters program and now love to read. Here are twelve game-changing strategies that have worked for me and millions like me:
Leverage Technology
One of the most effective strategies for dealing with dyslexia is to leverage technology. Specifically, apps like Audible that can read text aloud can be incredibly helpful. Digital spell checkers are also a must-have to assist with writing tasks.
Multifaceted Reading Strategies
Having a toolbox of reading strategies can significantly improve your reading experience. The Orton-Gillingham method is widely regarded as one of the most effective proven methods for dealing with dyslexia.
Patience and Self-Compassion
Learning to be patient with yourself is crucial. Your educational journey is not a sprint but a journey. Give yourself grace and recognize that you are not perfect.
Identify Your Strengths
Focus on your strengths and leverage them to make choices throughout your educational journey. Understanding what you excel at can provide a lot of motivation.
Persistence
Just keep going. With persistence, you can achieve your goals. Continue to work on developing your reading and writing skills.
Personal Strategy: I personally used an index card to help focus my eye. This simple tool can make a big difference.
Clear Understanding of Your 'Why'
Cleary understanding your 'why' can greatly help with your motivation. Motivation is key as you face the challenges of dyslexia.
Supportive Friends and Educational Services
Having great and supportive friends is always helpful. If your friends are too critical of your dyslexia, it might be time to reconsider your friendships. Utilize the educational services that are available to you via your educational institution. In the U.S. and most Western countries, there should be an assistive individual on staff in both K-12 and college settings. These individuals or departments can be incredibly helpful for getting through.
Continuous Learning and Reading
Always be learning and reading. The key is to find topics and authors that interest you. This can help you stay motivated and engaged.
Further Reading
I highly recommend reading The Dyslexia Advantage and the framework it advocates, as they are great for thinking about careers for dyslexics.
Each of the above strategies offers the potential to help transform your experience and overall success as a dyslexic.
Conclusion
People with dyslexia, including Cher Anderson, Cooper Robin Williams, and Keira Knightley, have achieved significant success by embracing these strategies. If you or someone you know is struggling with dyslexia, there is hope. By applying these strategies, you can overcome dyslexia and achieve your full potential.