“My biggest fear is someone mistreating my child when I’m not around.” ~Anonymous
Everyday around the world parents and young people are learning that they have dyslexia.
For many people they don’t know much about science or the best way to move forward.
I really love these conversations, the ones that start out, “You work with people with ADHD and dyslexia? My_______ just got diagnosed with that.” I then learn all about someone I have never met, I hear about the parents’ fears and start to lay out some new ideas. I answer all questions as honestly as possible, even when I know they don’t want to know how hard it is going to be for their child to navigate the school system not designed for their brain.
This is the moment I love; this is why I do what I do. In that moment of seeking out answers I have a chance to ask them more questions and to help them focus on all of the amazing ways their young person is going to change the world, if we just show them a way to do that.
Another great moment in this new meeting process is when they start to take in that this might be hereditary, “Hey, wait a minute, my husband really struggled in school, and he hates to write letters or reports.” All of a sudden it is not just one person being diagnosed, it can be a few more.
Here is my point, there is an amazing joy and peace that washes over people when they realize that they aren’t stupid or broken and that they have amazing gifts and skills, that they are an asset to their community, not a reject. It is incredible to see the shift in a person’s behavior when they realize that they have value and worth is a wonder to be seen and it only takes a few words and some facts to make it happen.
Here are the top three things I tell everyone:
- Do not fear the label, fear what you don’t know yet.
- Go out and learn more: take lots of tests, get brain scans, learn things.
- Everyone needs to learn how to be an advocate for themselves and those closest to them.
We all have a life, which is a journey from point A to Point B and the living is in all of the things that happen between A and B. Everyone’s journey is going to be different and being dyslexic and getting through the standard school system is going to shape many aspects of how you deal with the challenges of life. I think it is great not only do dyslexics get an education, they also get some amazing life skills, if the adults around them are able to guide that additional education.
So, go out and learn things today and report back.
Life is a quest, just like a video game.
JoyGenea Schumer
Business Owner, International Neurodiversity Coach and Speaker