“Why do you do it? Why do you have so much interest in dyslexia? Why
didn’t you choose an easier topic? It might have given you ample time to
achieve Sablay within 5 years.”
These are just some of the usual lines that
I hear from people whenever they find out that I am currently working my way
out of the university with my final thesis units. I’ve been a student of the
University of the Philippines Los Baños for about 6 years now. During my freshman year, I told myself that I
would always go for the practicum option during my final year since our
curriculum offers (and usually prefers) for us to take that path since it gives
us, Human Ecology students, the integration of all our past lessons. But of
course, not everything goes the way it’s planned. There came a point
in my university life where I was not sure of what I was doing and what I
wanted after earning my degree. I had a semester where I only had 9 units
registered – I was not able to get a full load of units so I decided to take an
extra course which was preschool teaching. Then and there, I found where my
heart truly belongs: inside the classroom with the children and me in front
teaching the young ones of things I have learned with my years of
existence. After that semester, I convinced myself that I would finish
my degree with a thesis study that hits home: education, teachers and the
children.
“So how is your story related with dyslexia?”
As I was searching my brain of what really
sparks my interest, I remembered this conference I attended where Teacher Vicki
Arioder was the resource speaker and she enlightened the room of her knowledge
and passion of spreading awareness about dyslexia. From there I knew it would
also be a burning passion for me to study. With enough research (and courage),
I explained to my thesis adviser of the things I wanted to happen and my cause
for it. I can remember myself telling her “Ma’am, I think dyslexia is
one of the taboo issues in our country that actually needs attention. If I were
to be honest, even I also do not have enough knowledge about it. What more is
the situation of our Filipino teachers and their students?” and to my
surprise, she agreed. From there, I researched more on the depths
and mysteries of dyslexia.
When my parents saw how busy I was about
school and (finally being serious) in finishing my degree, my mom asked me
about what my topic was about and I told her, “Dyslexia, ma. Alam mo ba
yun?” and she answered me with “Yung
kapatid mo, dyslexic yan ah? Pero nagawaan kaagad ng interventions kaya okay na
siya..” I felt my eyes welling-up with tears. All this time, I’ve
had someone so dear to me who had been actually dealing with and fighting the
same thing I have only been considering as research and ticket for graduation.
That short conversation with my mother fueled the igniting fire inside of me
and I was finally able to put the puzzle pieces together.
I always wondered why my
brother has bad handwriting. I always wondered why he still needs to ask me for
help in comprehending some of his lessons even though he is also an undergraduate
college student. I was always amused by how
sometimes he forgets the difference from left and right. I am annoyed with the
fact that every time we would go for a drive, he would constantly ask me to
open my data so that he could navigate with the help of Waze even though we’ve
been to the place countless times. I’ve always wondered how my brother views
things – if he sees it the way I see things as well or if he understands it
deeper than I could understand. And most importantly, how did he feel all these
years seeing his sister excel in her academics, while he himself knows that he
is struggling but is so timid to ask for help? Does he see himself as
an equal with everybody else when he clearly is aware that he is “different”?
With the literature I found, I was given
answers to this mystery “disease”. No, scratch that. Dyslexia is not a
disease, rather it is a learning disability. Given all these
realizations and with empathy, I was able to put myself in the shoes of
children whom some teachers think that “they are good for nothing” students
since they do not focus in class. Teachers who fail to recognize that maybe
their students have a more complex reason as to why they cannot comprehend and
concentrate in class and not just by being plain lazy. Sons and daughters who
are pressured by their parents into becoming academic when in truth they have a
variety of talents that need only to be tapped into and encouraged for them to
realize their full potentials. Siblings who seem to think that life is a competition
especially when the other is excelling and the other falls behind.
I am not yet through with my studies but
all these realizations as I write (both my thesis and this article), humbles
me. These taboo issues--it could be resolved, solutions can be found. If
only everyone would be willing to help, be more understanding and patient, it
is possible.
Waiting on your child’s school or from
other professionals to act on what’s really contributing to his learning
difficulties could truly make you more anxious. Remember, waiting is the worst
thing that a parent could do. Time is of the essence. This is your child’s
life. Being in control and engaged in your child’s learning matters is
one of the best thing that a good parent like you can surely do.
You have the power to unleash his fullest
potentials by simply subjecting yourself into answering a dyslexia screening
test. It is very possible to identify potential learning problems which your
child may be experiencing even before these turn into failure. You
have the key. Use it and see the significant difference it would make not just
for your child but to you as well!
Take that i-STEP here i-STEP NOW
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