12/18/2021
Check out today's dyslexia myth! We are sure you have heard it before and it is time to put it to an end!
Dyslexia myth-busting day 7!
Myth: If a child with dyslexia reads for 20 minutes per day it will improve their reading.
This myth is not only false, but it quickly damages students' self-esteem, perseverance, and confidence. Telling a student to read more implies they aren't trying or working hard enough.
The reality is, dyslexia cannot be overcome by reading for 20 minutes every day. It is not a timing or effort problem. People with dyslexia need to be given the right tools to train their brains on how to process the information. It is equivalent to telling a child that has never taken a math class that they can become a star math student by doing trigonometry for 20 minutes every day. Imagine that!? That would never happen without giving the student the step-by-step methods and processes they need to solve these problems. Dyslexia is no different! Simply trying to read for 20 minutes every day without the right tools will only lead to frustration. Students with dyslexia need to be given reading intervention that is multisensory, explicit, and sequential.
This is a dangerous myth that we need to stop spreading! One of our students, Eric, heard this myth when he was in school. He was frustrated, angry, and no one gave him the tools he actually needed to succeed. He did not give up! Today, he continues to work on his reading with his tutor Deb. Now that he has the right tools, he is encouraged by his progress to continue rather than feeling lost and frustrated. He hopes to encourage others to do the same! We are so proud of how much you have overcome, Eric!