Overcoming Dyslexia

This section is taken from the most scientifically valid and clinically accurate information available and presented in the book Overcoming Dyslexia, © Sally Shaywitz:

“Reading is complex. It requires our brains to connect letters to sounds, put those sounds in the right order, and pull the words together into sentences and paragraphs we can read and comprehend.

“While people with dyslexia are slow readers,

they often, paradoxically,

are very fast and creative thinkers

with strong reasoning abilities.”

People with dyslexia have trouble matching the letters they see on the page with the sounds those letters and combinations of letters make. And when they have trouble with that step, all the other steps are harder.

Dyslexic children and adults struggle to read fluently, spell words correctly and learn a second language, among other challenges. But these difficulties have no connection to their overall intelligence.

In fact, dyslexia is an unexpected difficulty in reading in an individual who has the intelligence to be a much better reader. While people with dyslexia are slow readers, they often, paradoxically, are very fast and creative thinkers with strong reasoning abilities.”

Lifelong Journey

“Dyslexia is also very common, affecting 20 percent of the population and representing 80– 90 percent of all those with learning disabilities. Scientific research shows differences in brain connectivity between dyslexic and typical reading children, providing a neurological basis for why reading fluently is a struggle for those with dyslexia.

Dyslexia can’t be “cured” – it is lifelong. But with the right supports, dyslexic individuals can become highly successful students and adults.”

Source: © Sally Shaywitz, Overcoming Dyslexia, pp.13- 24.

How Dyslexia affect my Life

Allow me this post to support all people out there, that are fighting dyslexia like me since childhood. My life story and all the accomplishments, that today are part of my life, is a living proof that even with all odds against a person’s potential there is absolutely nothing that he/she can’t reach and conquer.

My teachers and almost all doctors used to advise my parents not to expect anything great from me due to my severe dyslexia issue. “This child is destined to wash cars or clean houses. Is literally incapable to write even her name correctly. This child is a lost cause. Will never learn to use words properly.”

My name is Areti Vassou and despite my struggle with dyslexia – since the first day I learned to use words – today and 1.825.000 words later (only for the year 2017), I am in the position to be able to shout out loud to everyone:

You can do anything you want in life!

Commit yourself and keep trying!

None of the above would be possible without the support of my family and my excellent working team. I am really grateful that I was lucky enough to have so loving and thoughtful people around me. Continue reading…