The word dyslexia might sound threatening. But then people like Einstein were dyslexic

Slow but smart

Ashantha (not his real name) was a mischievous youngster who never showed any outward signs of incompetence, except in writing. But then he was only nine years old, the age for learning through guidance. As the years passed, however, it became harder for him to grasp the learning techniques. His performance in class deteriorated and he was forced to drop out of school.

It did not take long for Ashantha's parents to realise what was wrong with their energetic son. He was suffering from dyslexia, a learning disability. He not only had a problem with writing but also with reading, spelling, and mathematics.

Dyslexia is a problem many parents prefer to ignore, hoping against hope that their child will be able to settle down in school despite learning difficulties during the first few years . But such parents only drive their kids from reality.

Even in this modern age such disabilities sadly carry some stigma in society. Unlike other problems, what makes dyslexia difficult to accept is that the child is normal in every sense, in fact often has an above-average IQ.

Schools in Sri Lanka do not cater for such kids because dyslexic children need a lot of attention and individual training. In most cases, parents of dyslexic kids are helpless if they are forced to leave school. The Open Education Institute at Nawala helps children like Ashantha (14), who is progressing slowly but steadily in writing, reading, and mathematics. In Ashantha's case, though he has this learning disorder, he is a whiz kid in computers and motor mechanics.

Head of the Open Education Institute, Ms. Carole Perera, refuses to take credit for any progress made by youngsters like Ashantha. Instead she says it is team effort by the parents, the children and the staff.

"It is through the support of the parents and the staff that I was able to open the school. It is important that parents accept the problem, for it is then that the kids can be guided," Ms. Perera explained.

In fact the parents are actively involved. At present, they have got down an educationist from Canada to help the kids for a month.

Ms. Perera launched the remedial centre for dyslexic kids two years after she completed her special training in India. The centre catered to children who were attending normal school; they would come to her after school for coaching and extra help and attention.

"Later I started a special regular class, where I have around thirty kids. The classes are from 8.00 am to 1.00 pm. I also get students for the remedial class. The kids are in the age group of 5 to 16 years. 90% of my students are school dropouts. They have very low self-esteem, although they are of above average intelligence. Some students can't write or read but are brilliant in maths or it could be the reverse. A majority of boys suffer from dyslexia compared to girls," she said.

Ms. Barbara Henry, a Canadian education specialist has been in Sri Lanka for the past week evaluating the kids and is drawing up programmes and suggestions for them.

"I find that compared to dyslexic kids in Canada, Lankan children are very settled. Dyslexics get easily depressed and they need a lot of attention. At the moment I am assessing them," she explained.

The main problem in dyslexia is reading, writing and speech. It is generally categorised into four. Firstly, the inability to master language-reading and speech. Secondly, there is difficulty in mathematics. Dyslexic children can also be poor in their letters and finally may lack the ability to organise themselves, to perform simple tasks like arranging a school bag or getting out their books.

"Some kids may suffer from all four syndromes, while some others may have one or three syndromes. Any kid suffering from dyslexia has very low esteem. They have been branded as non-achievers. This is felt mostly by the bigger boys, who not only have to compete or keep up with their classmates but also have to face pressure from home. Most of them are given counselling. They are quick to give up but at the same time can be very determined and persevering, given the right guidance and attention," explained Ms. Perera.

Students admitted to the Institute are first given an assessment test on reading, writing and spelling. Two students are allocated one teacher so that they get individual attention. They start off the day with 'Brain Gym'- an American programme. Stress release is also done because dyslexic kids are prone to undergo a lot of stress.

The Institute has eight teachers, four qualified teachers and four volunteers who have been trained by Ms. Perera.

"Dyslexic kids also suffer from Attention Deficiency, Disorder and Attention Deficiency Hyperactive Disorder. They get easily distracted and are hyperactive. They need a lot of attention. Having kids in a special school is important because they know they don't have to compete nor do they feel left behind. They have all the time in the world to pick up. Each child is different. One might improve within a few months, while another might take three years. You cannot give a time frame for improvement,' she said.

Teaching dyslexia kids definitely takes a lot of patience.

When it comes to reading they either read in reverse or skip lines and get the letters mixed up. Placing is also a problem. If the kids are asked to write the date on the left hand corner of the page, they might write it opposite or at the bottom.

Some even have problems copying a sentence from the blackboard, tending to omit the space between the words.

Ms. Perera has words of advice for all parents. "It is important that parents have a good rapport with the teachers from the start of their schooling. They should discuss the child's progress. If the child is a slow learner, proper guidance should be given. Most importantly, parents have to accept the problem."

Her goal is to see that all those under her care turn out to be good citizens, acceptable to society.

"You cannot force a dyslexic kid to study. But if they have other interests like computers, mechanics or art we should encourage them.

"They are fighters, they can survive in the world. They are intelligent. Let's not forget that even great achievers like Albert Einstein were dyslexic. They have potential, it is the training they need," said a very confident and equally determined Ms. Perera.

The Open Education Institute is located at 10/5, Walter Gunasekera Mawatha, Nawala. Tel: 074 405167

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