What People Should Know About Learning Differences

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences in the United States, and it is still widely misunderstood.

Before they come to Gow, many students feel isolated and different in class. As the workload grows, they miss out on parts of school because assignments take them longer. Teachers are not always trained to help, and they do not always have time for one-on-one attention.

So we asked our community: what do you want other teachers, students, and friends to know about learning differences, and about dyslexia in particular? Here is what they told us.

In Their Words

• Doug Cotter, Director of Admissions: Students with dyslexia are capable and bright. They struggle with reading, writing, and spelling, but with the right support and teaching, there is no limit to what they can do.
• Daniel Dietz, History teacher: Dyslexia and overall intelligence are not related.
• Jack D., student: Be patient with your students.
• Brad Rogers, Headmaster: People with dyslexia often have hidden strengths, such as charisma, visual memory, public speaking, engineering, and musical talent. Teachers can help students unlock them.
• Sidney T., student: Before you get frustrated, try to understand what a struggling student is facing, instead of assuming they are lazy.
• Caroline B., student: Get to know your students and their learning differences, and build a plan to help them succeed instead of getting upset when they fall behind.
• Jack G., student: Even though we have a learning disability, we are all equal. We just learn in a different way.
• Cooper R., student: When a student falls behind, don't keep piling on work. Break what is overdue into small pieces so they can feel themselves reaching goals.
• Lynn Chafin, teacher of The Gow Method: Do not yell at students for things they cannot control. Use the tools available to help them decode words quickly and keep pace.
• Vito V., student: Never tell a student they won't be able to do something. Teachers at his previous school told him that, and he lost his desire to learn. At Gow, he was set to graduate, something he had been told would never happen.