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Inverness Youth Educating Community About National Dyslexia Awareness Month

October is National Dyslexia Awareness Month.

One in five students, or 15-20% of the population, has a language based learning disability. Dyslexia is the most common of the language based learning disabilities. Nearly the same percentage of males and females have dyslexia.

Dyslexia is a neurological condition caused by a different wiring of the brain. There is no cure for dyslexia and individuals with this condition must learn coping strategies. Research indicates that dyslexia has no relationship to intelligence. Individuals with dyslexia are neither more nor less intelligent than the general population. But some say the way individuals with dyslexia think can actually be an asset in achieving success. Many are gifted in math, science, fine arts, journalism, and other creative fields. A list of such people would include Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Winston Churchill and many others who have changed the course of our world. However, their tremendous strengths are offset by noticeable weaknesses.

Last year, our daughter talked to her 4th grade class about her challenges with Dyslexia, with the support of her 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Lori Anderson. The class was learning about disabilities. And she wanted to share with the class about hers. Kids think other kids are "normal." and they are the "only one" facing difficulties. And that's not true! By talking about disabilities the kids realized everyone has something that makes them special.

In the beginning of 5th grade, Mrs. Lori Anderson shared with our daughter that she had another dyslexic student in her class. Our daughter wanted to reach out to this other student and let her know she's not the only one. She came up with the idea to create a PowerPoint presentation and is scheduling times with 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes to go in and talk to them and bring awareness, education and give a face to dyslexia.

We have been fortunate to have supportive, caring teachers and resource staff at school and especially outside tutoring with, Paldo Learning/Reading Specialists, 1602 Colonial Parkway Inverness, IL 60067, referred by International Dyslexia Association. JoAnn Paldo provides one-on-one Wilson tutoring stemming from the Orton-Gillingham program. She creates an environment that makes learning the english language interesting and understands that each person has their unique way of learning. Our daughter has thrived since working with JoAnn. JoAnn brings years of experience, strong background in education and is a mother of a dyslexic daughter.

Our daughter is not looking for sympathy but to raise awareness. Her hope is for her classmates at school to understand her a little more so that they each might respect her, one another more and especially their teachers. Each child is different and every student offers their own wonderful gift in their individual, unique way!

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