There is no denying the negative stereotypes surrounding dyslexia. A person who seems incapable of reading is regarded as unintelligent, more likely to succeed in sports than in academics and even depicted as brutish in popular media.
However, increasing awareness and information about dyslexia puts this very, very far from the truth. It is a legitimate learning disability that is certainly not an indicator of a child’s actual intelligence.
The problem is mainly because reading is still a critical component of education. And without early intervention and special support, they will definitely be in danger of falling behind academically.
On the other hand, this is precisely why diagnosis is key to removing the stigma often associated with dyslexia. Consider the following reasons:
1. Diagnosis proves your child has been thoroughly tested.
Many of the myths surrounding dyslexia (such as laziness, vision etc) cannot be disproven without sufficient scientific evidence. This evidence is not just the sort produced by large studies and research, but also by tests specifically taken by your child via professional diagnosis.
By having your child diagnosed, you will receive hard data and documentation proving that they have a learning disability and are, therefore, qualified to receive support.
2. Diagnosis can indicate alternate means of measuring intelligence.
Did you know that IQ tests are not even necessary for identifying dyslexia anymore? That is because the link between different forms of intelligence and written language skills is no longer well-supported by science.
In fact, the current consensus is that there are other ways to determine a child’s intelligence. They may not be able to learn by reading, but they respond remarkably well to lectures and more visual presentations.
3. Diagnosis can put dyslexia in a wider context of other disorders.
Dyslexia is not necessarily a disability that occurs in a vacuum. It can be the result of a number of things like auditory processing disorder (APD), developmental delay or even more serious conditions like autism.
This may seem bad at first but a wider context can actually widen the kind of support you can get. So, not only will you be more empowered to help a child with their dyslexia, you are in a position to also address the other issues interacting with it. (A good example would be something like the Tomatis® brain training program, where a child’s ability to process sounds is strengthened and thereby enabling them to better associate meanings with symbols.)
4. Diagnosis can even set the tone for guiding behaviour.
It is very obvious that no child in the classroom wants to admit they can’t read. However, with a proper diagnosis, a child with dyslexia can be empowered knowing that it isn’t entirely their fault. They can be trained to have more confidence in that they can still improve, even excel in class without too much effort on written language ability.
And in the broader picture, a diagnosis can also help families foster an environment where a dyslexic child can grow without feeling too burdened by their difficulties.
Now, it may still take several years before dyslexia awareness really sets itself in public consciousness and create more sensitivity around the disability. However, if you want to make a difference regarding it, then emphasizing on thorough, professional diagnosis should be your first step!
“Want to learn more about how better listening leads to a better life? Get a consultation with us today!”
Françoise Nicoloff
Official Representative of Tomatis Developpement SA in Australia, Asia and South Pacific, Director of the Australian Tomatis® Method, Registered Psychologist, Certified Tomatis® Consultant Senior, Tomatis® International Trainer and Speaker, Co-author of the Listening Journey Series, 40 Years of Experience, Neurodiversity Speaker
