I once worked with a young man who was so dyslexic that he couldn’t recognize his middle name in print. But he was also so smart that he dated a reading specialist for several months and she never knew that he couldn’t read!
Smart children and adults who struggle academically are often pegged as lazy or unmotivated. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Not only do they have to put out much more effort, time, and energy to complete tasks than their equally or less intelligent peers, but they often funnel considerable time, energy, and creativity into hiding their learning challenges.
While dating the reading teacher, Tony would go to whatever restaurant he wanted to take her to, get a menu and take it home. His mom would read it to him so he could be prepared with what he wanted to order. Then he would pretend to read through the menu on his date and order his pre-selected item.
Pretty smart, huh?
So why couldn’t he read?
Innate intelligence is certainly a factor in academic success but having a high IQ doesn’t automatically ensure it. Equally important are the underlying learning/processing skills that support efficient learning.
My newest book Take the Stone Out of the Shoe, A Must-Have Guide to Understanding, Supporting, and Correcting Dyslexia, Learning, and Attention Challenges is now out on Audible as well as in paperback and Kindle.
Learn about the underlying skills that might be at the root of your child’s struggles and what you can do to help change that!
📕 "Take the Stone Out of the Shoe" is available in paperback, Kindle and audiobook! Buy now on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Take-Stone-Out...