Dyslexia means “trouble with words.” It has now been sub-sectioned into many different labels such as ADD, ADHD, visual-special learners, dysgraphia, processing disorders, and so on. Although these labels are usually regarded as separate from one another, the underlying symptoms can result from the same thing: disorientation.

Disorientation is at the root of most learning difficulties. It may encompass many areas of learning such as reading, spelling, comprehension, writing and math. The severity of the symptoms varies with each individual. Dyslexia is not a “disease” which needs a cure. It is a product of thought or perception, and is a special way of reacting to confusion. It is a perception, however, that can be corrected.

When teaching reading, a phonetic method is often used. Dyslexics, however, are less likely to think with words and more likely think with pictures, in a creative and multidimensional way that benefits from hands-on learning. The core problem for dyslexics is the phoneme, or the letter symbol and accompanying letter sound. Although some readers discover phonological awareness on their own, dyslexics do not. When confused, someone with dyslexia will become disoriented, and thought is perceived as reality. Dyslexics are able to see, hear, feel and sense what they imagine as though it were real, which is why they tend to skip or make up words, become easily distracted, or flip letters around. When equipped with the right tools, people with dyslexia can automatically control and correct their perceptions and avoid the disabling aspects, allowing their gifts to shine through.