Speech on Dyslexia by Milo Henry

Dyslexia

Do you find it really hard and time-consuming to read? Do you find Maths and Spelling so hard you find it difficult to write what you want to or worse still, express yourself? Chances are you have Dyslexia. I know, because I have it too. But I’m here and I’m making a success of myself. So stay tuned and I will let you in on a few tips and strategies that just might help you along the way. I will not only share what it’s like to have Dyslexia but I will also tell you more about the learning difference and the things that are helping me get the most out of school.

Having Dyslexia can be awesome but it can also be very frustrating. I have been called a few mean and degrading names because other people don’t understand the difficulties that I have in my everyday life. I have been bullied and struggled to keep up with class work because I wasn’t getting the help I needed. I remember at primary school having to learn the alphabet. I hated it! The dyslexia foundation of New Zealand say that dyslexia is a Specific learning difference. Some of the common signs of Dyslexia can include, Having problems with names and remembering sequences. You can also reverse your letters and numbers, here’s an example a “b” turns into a “d” or “13” turns into “31.” When people talk to me, it takes me longer to process what they have said I find it hard to retrieve information that I have learnt. One moment it’s there the next minute it’s gone. When I have to read out loud i’m reluctant, embarrassed and avoid it at any cost.

This year I started at James Hargest College and I am in Room 2 with Mrs Evans. I am learning a lot more in there through the year. I go to Leap two times a week, it helps me with Spelling and Reading. I use Core5 which also helps me. At school I use my C pen which scans words in books and reads them to me. I also use my Microphone on my device which changes what I speak into text. It can also read text from websites, google classroom and heaps more. Three times a week I go to FIE. It is a program that enhances your thinking. I have been doing it for three years. It helps me with my problem solving and to be more flexible with my thinking. I like who I am and like what I am good at, and my Dyslexia isn’t going to stop me from being who I want to be!

By Milo Henry, aged 11 years (2017)