Dyslexics

Successful musician Florence Welch found her passion in singing, in part, because of her dyslexia.

Nick Damato shares his early classroom experiences through the eyes of a dyslexic, highlighting how some of us learn in a different way.

Dr. Ryan reflects on dyslexia, making mistakes, and the power of a genuine apology.

Here are some tips for the challenges and opportunities presented during the holiday season.

Although dyslexia is known for being a reading disability, the condition goes hand in hand with writing and your students may be finding it difficult to grasp some of the main writing concepts.

Odedra, despite his weaknesses with written language, found his strength in the communicative power of dance.

In order to offer assistance to dyslexic entrepreneurs, Norris set up his own company, Horatio Investments, which has $172 million to invest in start-up companies run by those with dyslexia.

This story was submitted to us by a dyslexic teacher/tutor of dyslexic children.

This Green Bay Packers player discovered he was dyslexic through exploring his talents on the football field.

A now successful author from Kalamazoo, Michigan reflects on her struggles in school and how she overcame them.

Alyssa Milano has had her share of success, despite being dyslexic.

Anderson Cooper is a well-known journalist and TV personality on CNN, but he struggled with dyslexia at a young age.

Imagine you were 12 and were asked to leave schools because you were dyslexic. That’s what Ansel Adams went through when he was young.

This video series in our February 2012 eNewsletter explains UDL by informing advocates, families, and communities about professional development and policy initiatives.

To most bookworms, reading a physical book is the ultimate form of learning, immersion, and experience. Some even suggest that listening to an audiobook is “cheating.” Despite this cultural belief, new research offers evidence that our brains react the same way when listening to an audiobook and reading.

My question is this: is the APD diagnosis further evidence of his dyslexia or is APD a secondary condition that could occur independently of his dyslexia?

Before you invest time and money on what claims to be an effective dyslexia intervention, do your homework.

The invention of the Intel Reader was inspired by its creator's dyslexia.

The famed Taebo expert discovered his dyslexia late in life, but is still a successful body-shaping sensation.

How do we get children who are dyslexic to read? Here are a few ways.

Case studies of individuals with dyslexia who achieved positive outcomes by employing each person's strengths and interests in therapy

Charles Schwab, the 67th richest man in America and one of the world’s most influential and esteemed businessmen, credits his success to his dyslexia.

A kitchen guru, this chef and former mentor to Gordon Ramsay discusses his experience with dyslexia.

Former So You Think You Can Dance participant Chris Koehl opens up about his learning disability.

The famous photorealist painter had to overcome many hardships in his life, but not without learning the value of perseverance.

A 95-year-old former teacher talks about how he continues to help dyslexics succeed.

Read our June 2012 e-newsletter to learn more about artist Jacob Meders, a new app developed at U of M, and dyslexia tests our clinicians recommend.

I am seeking advice in the consideration of a foreign language waiver for my son. He is in the tenth grade and is dyslexic. Will this limit his ability to get into the college of his choice?

With all of the lines he has to memorize and deliver as a famous actor, no one would suspect that a guidance counselor once described Danny Glover as retarded in school.

"Try to remember that being unsuccessful in school doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be unsuccessful in life. Lots of people who didn’t excel in school still went on to have successful lives."

David Boies has been involved in many high-profile lawsuits in the United States, but he struggles with reading and has a very limited vocabulary. How is he a successful lawyer with those struggles?

This was written by Dillon Brennan, a bright young dyslexic who wrote in and offered to share his story.

This research looks into the effects on reading of using the Dyslexie font compared to mainstream fonts, and uncovers the reality of specialized fonts such as Dyslexie.

How open should we be about our dyslexia?

I requested ACT accommodations for my 18 year old son. I was quite surprised when accommodations were denied.

Living with a language or reading disability can greatly affect you, as well as those around you. As a species, we developed oral language because we are social beings; therefore, if you have difficulty communicating it can affect your social relationships...

As with most things, dyslexia comes with a specialized vocabulary. The professionals in the varying fields who diagnose and treat language disability and dyslexia may even use different words to refer to the same behavior...

Watch these videos to better understand dyslexia.

Spanish researchers further connect dyslexia with syllable stress awareness. Study suggests instruction for students with dyslexia should include stress awareness strengthening.

Occasionally, she can read a sentence in isolation, but the majority of the time, when given a short passage (large font, good spacing), she over-relies on context and reads every word incorrectly - or if prompted, must laboriously decode every word.

Active and engaged reading WITH your child, not just TO your child, can have a lasting effect on language, literacy, and early reading skills.

Creative thinker Emma Jefferies has caught our attention with her buzzworthy set of videos about living with dyslexia.

As a 10-year-old, McGehearty became inspired by a summer art class and learned that he shouldn’t let his dyslexia stand in the way of becoming a success.

Erin Brockovich overcame dyslexia to become the lawyer who won a $333 million class-action lawsuit -- the largest of its kind in U.S. history.

What are executive function disorders, and what are some practical interventions for dyslexic students? We tell you here.

Ever since she was six years old, Fannie Flagg had wanted to be a writer, but her dyslexia delayed that career.

Engaging in activities in which we are successful fosters positive self-worth and builds resilience, which we can then use when we are tackling challenging tasks.

Help them ‘catch-up’ or maintain skills while enjoying your summer.

Getting your child the right help should begin with a complete diagnostic assessment. Learn why this critical first step is so important.

Consistency, firmness, and a forgiving attitude are just three of these five solid attributes required for guiding your dyslexic child down the path of success.

Do you recommend Latin as a foreign language for students with dyslexia?

Despite struggling with learning disabilities, Fred Epstein became one of the most innovative neurosurgeons in the pediatric field.

Gaston Caperton was elected as governor of West Virginia and served from 1989 until 1997. During his two terms, he emphasized that education was his first priority.

American actor and comedian George Burns famously wrote “For me the toughest thing about dyslexia was learning how to spell it”. His comedic charm and successful television career make it hard to imagine him struggling with a learning disability. But Burns, who remained undiagnosed for most of his life, was constantly faced with anxiety and frustration during his career. The young George Burns struggled in school from the start.

Even one of the world’s greatest divers ever has overcome some setbacks.

Read about how the man who played The Fonz co-wrote 17 children's books inspired by his own struggles with dyslexia.

Given that many dyslexics have difficulty hearing the individual sounds in our language, a skill that underlies spelling, many dyslexics have difficulty learning to spell. The English orthography is derived from many other languages – Greek, Latin, and French to name a few, and as a result, many English sounds are spelled more than one way...

If your child is struggling with stress and sleep issues, these tips will help them regain their balance and get the most out of school.

In response to requests from UM students who attending UCLL’s successful workshop Six Steps to Academic Success (SSAS), which is a group format, we developed a program that is based on individual needs to help students with their course work during the semester...

An informal writing sample examined Brittany’s ability to convey her ideas in a personal narrative. She was rated in terms of her content, organization, voice, and conventions on a criterion-referenced rubric...

Watch this video on how to request an evaluation in our February 2013 eNewsletter.

Gary Karton used to think of his learning disability as a form of torture, but not anymore.

Today, Jim Carrey has an extremely successful stand-up comedy and film career, but he didn’t have an easy time making his way to the top.

Released on September 19th, this new enhancement to the Notes app on iOS devices will change the way we use it.

This man earned his PhD, worked with the Michigan Department of Education, and co-authored a book, all despite having dyslexia.

Comedian and former host of The Tonight Show Jay Leno believes that hard work, perseverance, humor, and a positive attitude have been the driving factors for his success in show business and overcoming dyslexia.

Many scholars studying dyslexia have gone through extensive schooling to become experts in the field, but for one member of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), it was her experience that taught her what she knows.

It took a couple of large setbacks for John Chambers to realize that he could overcome anything.

John Lennon's beautiful music with the Beatles would not have existed without his perseverance through dyslexia.

Jovan Haye overcame dyslexia (and several other obstacles) to become a professional athlete.

Karen Tillery never understood why reading caused painful headaches, teachers’ lectures were garbled, and new concepts were a struggle to understand.

Dr. Pierson tells why audiobooks are so important for dyslexics.

LD Navigator is a clinical tool designed for healthcare professionals to help them gain a better understanding of learning disabilities to be used in their practice.

Magic Johnson may be most famous for his project in public awareness to help combat HIV. But there was another disability Johnson struggled with in his youth — dyslexia.

The wish for a magic pill or colored glasses to fix things can be very strong, and often makes dyslexics and their parents vulnerable to the claims of controversial treatments.

Dr. Ryan explains the meaning and inspiration behind the phrase he always uses to end his letters.

A 12-year old child with dyslexia shares his perspective and suggestions on making March is Reading month more inclusive and fun

Not being able to read until he was in middle school didn’t stop Mark Schlereth from becoming a successful NFL player.

A young woman discusses her dyslexia and how it has not stopped her from writing.

The following was written by Megan Beland, a dyslexic author and illustrator who wrote a very heartwarming kids book about her little sister.

Read our July 2012 e-newsletter to learn about a stand-up comedian, working memory, and DyslexiaHelp's Pinterest page.

This successful boxer developed a reading program inspired by his struggles with dyslexia.

Usually, it's not polite to laugh at someone with a learning disability. But in the case of Nina G., she wants you to laugh.

We have identified some of our favorite books which you might find helpful. For each, we've provided a brief summary about the content.

Dyslexic author/illustrator and Michigan native Patricia Polacco talks about her work.

This whiz of a computer programmer and CEO of Buyometric found success in spite of dyscalculia.

This Pulitzer Prize winning poet overcame dyslexia by inventing a new way to read.

A list of programs and activities designed specifically to target phonemic awareness.

Two-time Canadian national medalist Piper Gilles has faced more than the competition throughout her life. Growing up, she struggled with living with dyslexia.

You and your clinician will work together to design a therapy program that meets your specific needs and goals. On this page, we highlight what you can expect during your therapy program...

A recent study suggests situational awareness instruction may be doubly important for novice drivers with dyslexia.

This dyslexic woman, fascinated by dyslexia, used her artistic abilities to create sculptures that represent brain cells.

The New York Jets coach embraces his dyslexia and encourages fellow dyslexics to do the same.

Engel's dyslexia helped him realize his passion for being thrown into alien environments and learning to survive.

This poet overcame dyslexia to pursue her greatest passion: writing.

Rossie Stone once was a young student struggling in school due to his dyslexia, trying every technique in the book with no success.

Dyslexia should not prevent high standardized test scores! Here are some tricks to help dyslexics improve their SAT scores.

Find out more about scholarships available for students with learning disabilities

Nadine Gaab debunks 3 specific myths regarding childhood screening of dyslexia.

This animated video from the British Dyslexia Association sheds light on the real challenges dyslexic children face while also acknowledging their strengths and potential.

How to separate fact from fiction when it comes to summer intervention.

Former teacher Sonya Bridges is using the lessons she learned from battling with her own dyslexia to help fight against the illiteracy that plagues society today.

We have compiled a list of programs, software and board games designed specifically to target spelling in a structured, but fun way. We have used some of these at the Center and have found them to be successful tools.

After doing poorly in school, Steve Walker grew up to be a founder and CEO of his own company.

One of the world's most famous directors has struggled with dyslexia all his life. Yet, he still went on to create some of film's best masterpieces.

Get tips you can use today regardless of your profile of strengths and weaknesses.

These famous authors all battled dyslexia but went on to create some of the world's best literary works.

This UM student (and former client) learned the value of work ethic due to his dyslexia.

The following was written by a very ambitious, highly motivated individual who wishes to remain anonymous.

Despite having struggled with a learning disability all of her life, Michelle was able to succeed in school with the help of supportive parents and tutors.

This list is designed to help dyslexics, parents, and professionals find the resources they need, from scholarly articles to support groups.

I’m not asking for a diagnosis, just some help finding information about students with dyslexia whose first language isn’t English. Can you refer me to any strategies or research that look specifically at this type of student?

Recent studies suggest that by using neuroimaging technology, we can identify children as dyslexic as early as kindergarten and begin intervention before they start struggling with reading and writing.

Rather than spending our lives like the fish trying to climb a tree and feeling stupid, we should find our strengths and passions and follow them.

Phonological awareness is different from phonics (and includes phonemic awareness) and is an essential skill to learn to read. Therefore, it is critical to make this concept explicit for all students with dyslexia. This page and video help explain further.

Can testing be performed in older adults?

Dr. Ryan offers some insight into self-image and self-esteem, and how you can improve yours.

Living and succeeding with dyslexia isn't about reading faster or fitting in better, but finding your own way to express your talents.

Discover ways that you can spend quality time with your child that help you both re-boot, while also squeezing in a bit of time for yourself.

Dr. Ryan shares a personal story of how a little creativity can go a long way.

If you know or suspect dyslexia or another learning disability is affecting you or someone you care about, you likely have many questions. In this article, Dr. Pierson offers help navigating some of the complex issues you might face.

With any investment of time and money, outcome is the closest measure of success, and language intervention is no exception.

This was written by Tiffany Sunday, a published author and dyslexic individual who reached out to us in June of 2014, eager to share her story.

The man behind the development of the Will it Blend? video series and some of the world's most powerful home blenders reveals that he battles dyslexia.

Dr. Ryan completes his list of pointers on how to have a successful work life.

Dr. Ryan explains the importance in finding your calling.

For Vince Vaughn, making people laugh has never been hard. But not all things in life have come easy for the famous funnyman.

Developmental dyslexia is the most common learning disability and affects somewhere between 5-10% of the population. It is a language-based learning disability...

We know that dyslexia is a language-based learning disability with a neurological component. And, although it is a language-based disability, most dyslexics do not have problems with oral language in general. Their difficulty lies in the phonological (sound) aspect of language: in the ability to hear the sounds in words...

Does my child need an IEP with regards to tests & quizzes?

No matter how brilliant you are, you need to learn to translate your unique ideas and visions into words.

Understand how word retrieval fluency and rapid automatic naming affect a dyslexic individual.

We explain the writing process and why dyslexics struggle with it, and we offer some helpful videos to explain further.

A list of some programs that have been developed for struggling writers.

This bright young dyslexic went from school struggles to straight A's.