Dyslexia Series: What Every Parent Must Know to Help Their Child Today – Part 1

 

 

My Letter to Parents of Dyslexic Children

 

Dear Mom and Dad:

I don’t know your name. And I don’t know your sweet child’s name. But I do know part of your story.

You see, I have the good fortune of viewing my son’s dyslexia from the rear-view mirror. It’s forever present and always in view. But for the most part, it’s behind us.

Over the next few days and weeks, I promise to share the private story of my family’s journey through the maze of dyslexia – a diagnosis that I could not spell, pronounce correctly or discuss intelligently.

For the better part of two decades, I made a commitment to learn as much as I could about dyslexia for my son. I decided to become his personal tutor without having any background in education. I begged my way into a nationally regarded multisensory training program designed for professional educators.

I must confess, I selfishly wanted to tutor my son only. But for the past 14 or so years, I kept answering calls from moms and dads. They wanted my help. And I was honored to be asked..

The initial stage – which I coined “The Shock Phase” – is the moment you learn your precious son or daughter has a learning difference to conquer. Please know this, you have the power to make a huge positive impact.

The second stage is what I’ve always referred to as “The Struggle Phase”. But make no mistake, the struggle can be sweet. When I think about this phase, I remember bonding and working as a team in tandem with my whole family.   I look back on these times with affection and gratitude.

And finally, I named the last stage, “The Success Phase”. All of your child’s tenacity, motivation and endurance will come to fruition for success. Your mental and emotional strength – as his/her educational advocate – will be remembered as a labor of love by your child.

I’ll close my letter with a personal and painful story. My heart hurts as I type the words of this conversation – 17 years later.

My son was 7-years-old (2^nd grade) when he was diagnosed with mild/moderate dyslexia in the Texas Medical Center in Houston. I was in shock because I never knew anyone who was dyslexic – or so I thought at the time.

I sought the comfort of a person who was extremely close to me – and who happened to be a respected reading teacher (elementary).

Unfortunately, her words are forever engraved in my memory. When I told her of my son’s recent diagnosis, she replied…

“I think dyslexia is just an excuse for middle-class moms who can’t face the fact that maybe their kid just isn’t that smart.”

A teacher. A woman with an impeccable reputation.  Someone I loved.

I did not speak to that individual for almost a year. And for almost two years, we only exchanged quick pleasantries. But she did me a favor.

It was on that day… I swore to become my son’s relentless advocate and his private tutor. For the next decade I pulled energy from those uninformed words. And in a distorted way, I am thankful for her ignorance about dyslexia.

If I can offer anything of value today, please allow me to be one of your resources – a long distance member of your child’s academic team –  with My Written Thoughts.

 

Kindest regards,

Just a Mom who Cares