Be bold and think differently

Flower, with one read

Trevor sent this hack in. He is first person to send a hack in, thank you Trevor!

In school, specifically in English class, pupils would be asked to read aloud. This was usually from books or short stories.  When it came to a dyslexic pupil they would stumble though words, often having to reread an entire sentence to fluently say it. The teacher would say, “alright it’s your turn to read pages 56 through 58” filling them with dread. Then, one day, when asked to read, they said “Pass”. The class looks around thinking, ‘you can do that! You can just pass on reading?’ To everyone’s surprise it worked! The teacher was confused and didn’t know how to respond because no one had ever challenged it. They said “ok” and moved to the next person. 

The moral of the story, be bold and think differently. Just because it’s done the same way forever doesn’t mean it has to be done that way.

Like this hack?

You might also enjoy

Episode 66 – Finding Belonging and Navigating Micro-traumas with Devon Lowndes

Discover the impact of micro-traumas on neurodivergent individuals in this episode with host Matt Head and Devon Lowndes, Co-founder of ‘Self Agency.’ Delve into the 1,500 micro-traumas experienced by neurodivergent people during primary school, ranging from dismissive phrases to attacks on self-worth. Devon, who has Dyslexia and ADHD, shares firsthand experiences and emphasizes that while these traumas lack physical scars, they manifest within, affecting all aspects of life. The episode explores the crucial need for belongingness and how it empowers those with dyslexia to thrive. Devon advocates for recognizing the strengths neurodivergent individuals bring to society, calling for understanding and valuing conditions like dyscalculia, dyspraxia, OCD, Tourette syndrome, and more. Uncover insights on navigating challenges, embracing authenticity, and evolving organizational cultures to accommodate neurodiversity. Keywords: belongingness, micro-traumas, neurodiversity, ADHD, dyslexia.

Episode 55 – Jo Rees: Juggling Teaching, Motherhood, and Dyslexia Support

In Episode 55 of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, host Matt engages in a conversation with Jo Rees, the founder of Another Way Round Dyslexia Support. With over two decades of experience as a primary school teacher and a background as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), Jo shares her personal journey of discovering her own dyslexia while working as a teacher. She opens up about the challenges she faced and the strategies she implemented to overcome them.

Jo also discusses the profound impact of dyslexia on her postnatal depression and how she found her own path of self-discovery. As a mother of three children with dyslexia, Jo provides valuable insights into balancing motherhood and a teaching career, making career changes to accommodate her family’s needs.

The episode dives deep into Jo’s son’s journey with dyslexia, exploring strategies to help him stay focused and find his moment. Jo shares her experiences supporting her two daughters’ education, highlighting the differences compared to her son’s journey. Additionally, Jo talks about establishing her own business, Another Way Round Dyslexia Support, and her surprising success on TikTok.

Don’t miss this enlightening episode where Jo Rees offers a wealth of knowledge and personal anecdotes, empowering individuals with dyslexia and providing invaluable support for parents and adults.

Episode 83 – Dyslexia and Mind Mapping with Chris Collier

In this episode, we explore how mind mapping assists individuals with dyslexia in organizing their ideas. Dyslexic individuals often have brilliant ideas but struggle to structure them coherently. Mind mapping helps visualize these thoughts, making it easier to organize them into text or presentations. Assistive technology has evolved from basic PC tools to advanced AI-driven solutions, offering limitless possibilities for mind mapping.

Host Matthew Head is joined by Chris Collier, Director of Assistive Technology at OpenGenius. Chris’s journey began as an English teacher in South Africa, where he encountered neurodiverse students and learned about Dyslexia. He became an expert in Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) and assistive technology, eventually leading him to his current role at OpenGenius. Chris shares insights on how AI-powered mind mapping, through tools like Ayoa, is revolutionizing education and workplace productivity for everyone.