I am an Invisible Dyslexic by Sharon Roberts

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I AM AN INVISIBLE DYSLEXIC – Sharon Roberts

While organising some things recently, I found some old report cards. They provided a sad tale of a student who showed promise and who was eventually categorised as being average, later attending summer school for High School maths and science in order to move forward. 

I describe myself as promising because I was an accelerated student; meaning I took Grade 3 and 4 together. I don’t recall any specific testing, but somehow at a young age I demonstrated some above average abilities and was therefore pushed forward… therefore I was smart… right ? That was the argument I gave myself throughout my academic life when the report cards indicated otherwise. I was described as average, not working to my full potential and inattentive.

In my mind, I did try.  Doing well was important to me. I managed to get into University, but encountered similar problems, especially with one History professor who point blank said he was disappointed and expected more from me. I avoided courses that focused on multiple choice exams because I just couldn’t do them. I managed to scrape through my LSATS (Law entrance exams – 3hrs of reading and multiple choice questions) despite clocking out after one hour. Needless to say, I didn’t pursue a career in law! 

Fast forward 25 years when my son had completed a Davis Dyslexia Correction program and I was about to embark on my training to become a Davis Dyslexia Correction Facilitator. In training we are provided with the same tools as a regular program would provide. I suspected I had dyslexia but still kept quiet. The quiet whisper in my ear became a roar when I pursued training in nutritional counselling several years later. It consisted of independent study, all exams were multiple choice online and 80% was the pass mark. Thanks to my Davis tools I got 90’s except for Anatomy in the 80’s.  

Imagine what I may have been able to achieve academically if I had been introduced to these tools in my early years! Sometimes the symptoms of dyslexia are obvious, sometimes not. Those I refer to as ‘the invisible ones’ get by, are able to read and write, get average grades and float along under the radar. They could have done so much better IF (tried) no…. IF they had been taught the way they learn. You might think that early intervention is the answer… lets find the potential dyslexics and give them more of what they find difficult already. That is not our solution. What if the classroom teacher could teach the basics of literacy to the whole class in a way that worked for the whole class.  Davis Learning Strategies do just that… they provide a safe environment for all children, including the obvious and the invisible dyslexics. They are the key to NeuroInclusivity in school, the end of so-called learning disability labels and the answer to achieving a student’s full potential. Children like me would no longer be seen as lazy, unmotivated and inattentive… happy children, happy parents, happy teachers.  www.davislearn.org and www.thewds.org/prevention.

Visit Sharon’s Site HERE.

Fish Don't Climb Trees by Sue Blyth Hall - BC Parent Newsmagazine

One of my favourite quotes is ‘we don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are’.

The recent article ‘Could your Child’s Reading Difficulty be Dyslexia?’ by Sarah Lyons is definitely one perspective.  I would like to offer another perspective from a dyslexic mother of a dyslexic son.

When my incredibly smart 5yr old who loved learning went to school, it did not go well.  He seemed to get through the Math, but very quickly fell behind with reading and spelling. He was taken out of class for more of what he couldn’t to already, home reading sessions were on the verge of ruining our relationship, and even the special school for dyslexics did not produce the desired results.  He was exhausted and his sadness was documented in the yearly school photographs. I was frustrated to say the least.

Read More on BC Parent Newsmagazine here……………..

Time Blindness by Sharon Roberts

Time Blindness: Sharon Roberts, Davis Dyslexia Correction Facilitator, Kitchener, ON

I could never warm up to Alice in Wonderland. It was too crazy, too frantic. Time in Wonderland seemed troubled; topsy turvy. It’s not unlike many households today. We live at a frantic pace.

Maybe you find yourself chronically late or overwhelmed when given a project , fearing how long it would take? Do you feel constantly rushed? Does your child struggle to complete homework or doesn’t get ready even with constant reminders? Maybe you just don’t get time?

The phrase coined to identify this behavior is time blindness. It means a person is unable to sense the passing of time and it can make nearly every aspect of a person’s life more difficult.

While technology has provided aids to assist the task of reading, writing or doing math, the ability to manage time and meet deadlines remains challenging not only for that individual but for those who live, work or play with them. Tardiness makes others feel less valued and is often interpreted as inconsiderate, disrespectful or just plain rude.

Being able to shift perceptions (disorient) readily, is an innate characteristic of the dyslexic or ADHD mindset, and the root cause of time blindness. In The Gift of Learning by Ronald D. Davis, he says disorientation is not just limited to visual input but can affect a person’s sense of time. When a person readily disorients, there is no consistency in assessing how much time goes by. There is an inconsistent impression made and the person’s world speeds up or slows down in a way that is out of control.  This is  determined by the speed of their internal clock. I have had clients describe this as walking through a dark tunnel with no light in sight.

The Davis programs address disorientation and through creative and tactile means  introduce the concept of time. Faithful use of the client’s orientation tools when facing situations involving time allows the person to input accurately so the awareness of time passing by is more spot on.  Besides reducing stress, effective time management can achieve a better work/life balance, greater focus, less procrastination and more productivity. One of the key benefits of time management is greater time freedom. When you have greater time freedom, you can focus your time on setting and achieving your biggest goals.  Greater time freedom also ensures you have more time to spend with family and friends; you have more time to deepen relationships and pursue new hobbies. What would you do with an extra few  hours in a week? 

‘COME TO THE DYSLEXIC TABLE’ ..on APRIL 1, 2023 at 4.30pm PST, 7.30pm EST to talk about this article. Please join us! Will be so much fun to hear your time challenges and solutions !

Join us ! RSVP HERE

This is My Gift !

As we approach the end of 2022, a year of reflection and gratitude, we wanted to share a special song. This is My Gift, Music and Lyrics by Don McLeod, Copyright 2008.

Our History !

As we close out 2022 and our 20th Birthday Celebration we want to share our story. Enjoy our ezine below. You can flip pages by clicking on the arrows at the edges.

Picture Perfect Learning Solutions Neurodiversity Shirts & Merchandise

Nadine Schumont has created a line of shirts and merchandise celebrating neurodiversity. You can view the range of styles and the image on the back through her store. For every shirt sold Nadine is donating $5.00 to The Whole Dyslexic Society. Thank you for your support !

Visit Nadine’s shop HERE.

The Kakamega Project Interviewed by Now Tell Us Anthony Muiruri

Claire Ashmore, Rachel Barwell and Geoffrey Ashiono introduce The Kakamega Project December 13, 2022PacificTime.

You can view the replay on Anthony’s podcast show at https://www.nowtellus.com/ or his YouTube channel here https://www.youtube.com/@nowtellus/featured

We are very excited to be partnering with The Kakamega Team on this project.

The Kakamega Project team are on a mission to provide effective dyslexia education training to developing remedial tutors and supporting parents in Kakamega County, Kenya. Delivering an effective approach for supporting learners who are often dyslexic or visual-spatial learners, the strategies and tools are hands-on, practical and can be used straight away with learners.

We need your help ! Please visit our campaign page here:

https://thekakamegaproject.raisely.com/

Thank you for your Support !

You Can Flip The Switch ! - By Sharon Roberts

If you think of your brain as a power grid, there are billions of pathways or roads, lighting up every time you think, feel or do something. These are our habits, our established ways of thinking, feeling, and doing. Every time we think in a certain way, practice a particular task, or feel an emotion, we strengthen this road. It becomes easier for our brains to travel this pathway.  When we start to think differently, we start carving out a new road and if we keep traveling that road, our brains begin to use this pathway more, and this new way of thinking, feeling, or doing becomes second nature. The old pathway becomes less and less and weakens and this process of rewiring your brain by forming new connections and weakening old ones is neuroplasticity in action.

read more…………………………….

About Sharon Roberts - Sharon Roberts has been a Davis Facilitator since 2003; she is also a board member of The Whole Dyslexic Society. It is her goal that everyone she works with discovered and embraces their innate gifts.

Contact Sharon at:

https://dyslexia.ca/

Unveiling the Secrets of Math - By Sharon Roberts

“Dyscalculia is a condition that affects one’s ability to acquire arithmetic skills. This person may have difficulty acquiring and understanding simple numerical concepts, lack an intuitive grasp of numbers, or have problems learning facts and procedures.”

Read More HERE.

About Sharon Roberts - Sharon Roberts has been a Davis Facilitator since 2003; she is also a board member of The Whole Dyslexic Society. It is her goal that everyone she works with discovered and embraces their innate gifts.

Contact Sharon at:

https://dyslexia.ca/

Davis Learning Strategies Explained

TruEarth Eco Products and The Whole Dyslexic Society Fundraiser

TruEarth and The Whole Dyslexic Society Fundraising Campaign

We are excited to announce our latest fundraiser. All sales made through our dedicated purchase page will earn 20% for our Society. During Waste Reduction Week we earn 25% ! Thursday and Friday only.

Thursday October 21, 2021

• For today only, our fundraiser will earn 25% on every purchase of any Eco-Strips Laundry Detergent made through our fundraising link - https://fundraising.tru.earth/TheWDS

• Plastics Thursday highlights how the circular economy can reduce the use and waste of plastics; motivate improved recyclability of plastic goods; and increase the value of recycled plastic by improving product design, use, and end of life management. Click here to learn more about Plastics and what we can do to reduce plastic waste.

Friday October 22, 2021

• It's Waste Reduction Week in Canada! Today's theme is Food Waste. For today only, our fundraiser will earn 25% on every purchase of any Bamboo Cutlery, Mesh Bags, or Beeswax Products through our fundraising link - https://fundraising.tru.earth/TheWDS

• Take the pledge and commit to making choices that will keep your food from becoming waste. You can take the pledge as an individual, school, business/organization, household, or community. Click here to learn about taking the Food Waste Pledge and what we can do to reduce food waste.

The Rest of the Year !!

Check out the large selection of eco products on our dedicated purchase page - https://fundraising.tru.earth/TheWDS. Our fundraiser will earn 20%.

Thank you for your support !

"A Symbol of Support for Dyslexia"

Davis Dyslexia Association International has featured our ‘Gifted with Dyslexia’ Pin. We are excited to launch this universal symbol that is positive and reflects the talented natural abilities of individuals gifted with dyslexia.