It’s a great time to be dyslexic! More and more there is a shift taking place to view dyslexia as a learning difference with many unique strengths. Yes, dyslexia comes with struggles; learning to read, write, and spell can be HARD.
But, researchers like Brock and Fernette Eide from The Dyslexic Advantage have documented a range of fascinating strengths found in high proportions within the dyslexic community. People with dyslexia are known for their lack of fine detail strengths – strengths that make accurate and precise reading and spelling easy for some people. However, this unique wiring of the dyslexic brain also results in global, big picture abilities such as strengths in comprehension, word associations, context, and gist.
Curious about these findings? Read more about the strengths of dyslexia here.
That’s great but how do I get my child to truly see their strengths?
Helping kids to better understand themselves includes teaching them about BOTH the strengths and weaknesses of dyslexia. This is simply part of parenting a dyslexic child. This site was founded to offer the kinds of resources you need to help you raise confident and resilient kids!
Teaching Kids About the Strengths of Dyslexia
I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Gibby Booth Jasper last month for our support community, Beyond the Box Learning. In that interview, she shared how she struggled growing up dyslexic. She overcame her weaknesses by working extremely hard! Bit by bit she began to understand that her dyslexia also resulted in some impressive strengths.
The following 15-minute video was recorded by Gibby. She speaks directly to our kids about what it is like and how it feels to be dyslexic as well as how to find their unique strengths.
Today, she is on a mission to teach kids how being dyslexic is actually their ‘superpower’. Gibby is a spunky and passionate dyslexia advocate who has a heart for encouraging kids!
If you have a child who is struggling with being dyslexic, this message is for them!
Join the Kaboom Kapow Challenge!
If you enjoyed Gibby’s talk, you will love the Kaboom Kapow Challenge!
Help your child gain more confidence and see their brain in a positive light through a fun adventure they’ll see as a giant game. Introducing the Kaboom Kapow Challenge: Join Super D, the Dyslexic Superhero on an EXCITING adventure co-starring your dyslexic child! This is a chance for your child to have fun, feel better about their brain, and start to think about their dyslexic superpowers. Once they complete the 8 quests of the challenge they will receive a medal in the mail.
From Gibby: “I grew up thinking I was stupid and something was wrong with my brain. I realize now that’s not the case at all, but I also know the damage thinking that for years does. That’s why I created this challenge. This is a dyslexic-only adventure that focuses on what their brain can do instead of what it struggles with.”
Once you sign up, there is no deadline or end date—complete the challenge whenever it’s convenient for you and your child. The challenge is designed for 5-12 year olds. However, this is not a hard and fast range. You know your child best, but we are happy to help if you have questions.
Get more information and sign up for the Kaboom Kapow Challenge here.
In an effort to be sensitive to the state of the world right now, Gibby is offering a sliding scale and a buy-one-give-one program so a child who wouldn’t normally be able to participate gets the opportunity too.
Other resources for teaching kids about dyslexia:
How to Talk to Your Kids About Dyslexia
My children’s book: What is Dyslexia? A Parent’s Guide to Teaching Kids About Dyslexia
Amazing article, I have met Gibby on multiple occasion, what an amazing human raising awareness of dyslexia!
I had a student who was scared to go back to school due to her disability because she had dropped out of High School. I encourage her about her ability to do and become whatever she wants.
Wonderful!