Can you cure dyslexia? Ready for a controversial blog!? đ Iâm not here to make a definite claim on that. The educational diagnostician I went to see told us that she felt that 80% of dyslexia can be âcuredâ, meaning that while dyslexia may still reside in the individual, the symptoms can be greatly reduced. In my personal experience with dyslexia and now working with children with dyslexia, I agree. The symptoms can be reduced tremendously!
I have always referred to dyslexia as something I had. I had dyslexia. I wasnât a dyslexic. It was something that affected me, but the goal was always to get away from it. I certainly didnât want to own it. I didnât want it to characterize me. While I struggled with it, it did not define my childhood. I didnât want to be known by my friends as a dyslexic person. The way that this gets twisted is that people will think I am saying you should be ashamed of dyslexia. I completely disagree with that. It is not something to be ashamed of. Â On the other hand, I donât believe it is something to be embraced.
Recently, I was speaking to a dyslexia support group. As I was telling my story, I kept saying that I had dyslexia. At the conclusion of my presentation, the moms/educators asked me what I meant when I said, âI had dyslexiaâ. I was unconsciously saying this because I do not think of myself as dyslexic. I define myself as Breanna Stewart. I define myself as a Christian with a great husband and family. I donât want to define myself as dyslexic. That is something that I worked hard to distance myself from, so why would I cling to it? I understand the concern they felt that by saying this I was saying that dyslexia was something to be embarrassed of or that I was being unrealistic. I have seen the research that shows the brain scans. I recognize a genetic component. But what I know more than those things is that when I wake up in the morning I am not affected by dyslexia. It doesnât limit me. I told this group that I went to college and graduated summa cum laude. They were impressed. A couple of the moms inquired about the accommodations I had in college. I told them that I didnât have any accommodations. I learned in a traditional manner and didnât need more time, extra help, tutoring, etc. I could procrastinate and not study as much as I should, just like my roommates. When I did struggle it was because I decided to pull an all-nighter to hang out with friends. I saw their disbelief.
I notice the same reactions when talking with other parents. At conventions, parents are often looking to see what is really going on with me. Itâs like they are looking for some catch…some sort of secret. Do I still need help? Have I just picked an easy trade? How do I cope? They love to hear that there is no catch! It is achievable for even the most severe cases. At a recent consultation, a dad asked me if I still needed remediation occasionally. I am always happy to say no.
A mother of a twelve-year-old with dyslexia asked me if we claim to cure dyslexia. I told her that we donât make the claim, but feel that we can make most of life symptom free. I still have times that I will turn the shower faucet the wrong way because of a directionality issue or say âyesterdayâ instead of âtomorrowâ when Iâm over-tired. However, these are just things that my husband finds cute. They are in no way life altering.
This is not to toot my own horn or tell what a unique entity I am. This is to say that there is real, tangible help out there for struggling kids. Kids who have severe dyslexia (like I had) or those with mild symptoms. I do not want to argue with the genetic/scientific basis of dyslexia. I have seen the research myself and know the validity of these studies. However, these findings should not limit us from remediating! There is help; there is hope; there is healing, regardless of the cause!