Misperception #4: “People with dyslexia see things backward, therefore dyslexia is a vision problem.” No, people with dyslexia do not “see” things backward; our brains process language information differently. Vision therapy does not improve dyslexia.
Misperception #5: “Kids with dyslexia are lazy. They just need to try harder.” This is one of the most poisonous. To decide that dyslexic kids have character issues, or aren’t motivated enough to do good work is profoundly harmful. Lack of awareness about the disorder among educators and parents has often resulted in kids being branded as “lazy.” Nothing could be farther from the truth. Instead, the findings of MRI studies provide evidence that people with dyslexia are not poorly taught, lazy, or stupid, but have an inborn brain difference that has nothing to do with intelligence. If students with dyslexia do not receive the right type of intervention and/or classroom accommodations, they often struggle in school—despite being bright, motivated, and spending hours on homework assignments. In almost all cases, kids with dyslexia are actually working much harder than their peers and should be acknowledged for doing so.
Don M. Winn is a multiple award-winning children’s author and dyslexia advocate. He has been writing for over 20 years. As a dyslexic, who well knows the challenge of learning to love to read, Winn’s goal is to write books that are so engaging they will entice even the most reluctant or struggling reader. His blog archives are available at www.donwinn.com.
