COMMON MYTHS ABOUT DYSLEXIA

Here are some of the common myths about dyslexia:

Myth :Dyslexic children are mentally retarded.
Dyslexic children usually have a normal IQ /or above IQ, however they have a difficulty in learning to read, write and spell, despite traditional teaching.Dyslexia can range from mild to moderate to severe.

Myth:Dyslexia is an illness
Dyslexia is not an illness it is a different way of thinking and using the brain.There is no cure for dyslexia.Most students however can learn to overcome their dyslexic difficulties if they are properly taught and shown to develop coping strategies.

Myth:Dyslexia only affects children who speak English.
In fact, dyslexia has been shown to affect native Chinese, Italian, Turkish and other language speakers. Dyslexia primarily affects the processing of speech sounds, otherwise known as phonological awareness.

Myth:Dyslexia is rare in Turkey.
The incidence of dyslexia in Turkey is within the range of 8% to 10% of the population.(according to Umran Korkmazlar) .An average of 3 to 4 students could have a learning disabilty, such as dyslexia, in a class of 40/50. It is one of the most common disabilities a teacher will encounter in his/her classroom.

Myth:Repeating a school grade can remove dyslexia.
Dyslexics learn in a different way. Specialist teaching is necessary to learn to overcome dyslexia and cope in a ordinary school.

Myth : You can outgrow dyslexia.
Dyslexic children become dyslexic adults. If they are identified and given the right kind of help early, poor readers can learn to compensate for their disability and read accurately and can catch up with their peers. If left untreated, dyslexia may cause many emotional problems , which can carry on in adult life. It can lead to low self-esteem, delinquency, aggression,and withdrawal or alienation from friends and parents.

Myth: Children who write letters backward or reverse them may be dyslexic.

Backward writing is common among children learning to write, whether or not they are dyslexic. In general, letter-reversals become an area of concern if it persists beyond 8 years of age.

Myth: Dyslexia can be treated with drugs.
Dyslexia can not be treated with medication but dyslexic children need to be given appropiate teaching and training along with providing them with compensatory coping strategies.

Myth:Dyslexic children are just lazy and don't try hard enough !
In fact it has been discovered that dyslexic children brains have to work 5 times harder then other children brains to do the same task. As a result they often get tired more quickly.They also may also be reluctant to start work or seem to mess around in order to avoid a task.Often they do this because they have become de-motivated due to constant failure.

Myth:Accommodations provided to students dyslexia, particularly during tests, gives them an unfair advantage over students without disabilities.
An accommodation does not give a student an advantage over other pupils ; it merely gives the pupil an even chance to succeed.