Expert interview
For this interview I spoke with learning specialist Elizabeth McConnel who has worked with dyslexic kids for many years.
In my interview with Mrs. McConnell We spoke about struggles and strengths dyslexic learners face as well as what the people around them can do to support them.
As a young student Miss McConnell struggled a lot in school and wanted to help kids who struggle with the same thing. She told me she felt like she had overcome the issues she had in school and wanted to help others do the same.
We spoke about how students with dyslexia are out of the box thinkers who often are talented at problem solving and other creative projects.
She told me that she notices that students with dyslexia can have trouble with their confidence feeling as if they are less smarter than other students when in reality they often have average to above average intelligence. We also talk about what parents can do to help children with dyslexia who feel like this. She told me She thinks that is important to demystify dyslexia by teaching children that one in five kids have dyslexia 20% of the population and also educating them on all the famous people who had dyslexia and encouraged families to use resources such as books on dyslexia stating knowledge is power as well as saying it can be helpful to look into academic center classes to help students meet others with similar experiences.
We talked about the importance of teachers being able to support dyslexic students. She told me at the school she works at how they were requiring all teachers to be trained in IMSE methodology which is an Orton Gillingham based methodology. They are also educating teachers so that they understand dyslexia actually is beyond many of the myths like letters appearing backwards. As well as the importance of teachers being able to identify dyslexic so that they can refer students to screening and possible testing.
She told me she hopes that the stigma around dyslexia goes away and that recorded books are accessible for all kids so that they can see themselves as readers no matter if they're listening or reading a traditional book. She also expressed how Dyslexic students can feel uncomfortable and stressed and the importance that they work with teachers who understand the diagnosis and can make things a bit easier.
Getting to talk to Ms McConnell about her experience with dyslexic kids was an amazing opportunity to learn more and hopefully to educate and help others.
