Dyslexic support association.
🙋♂️ Not an English reader? Here is the French version
I am a member of a support association for parents of dyslexic children. I am dyslexic, and I have two sons who are experiencing dyslexia-related challenges. One has an attention disorder (possibly ADHD), but it is balanced with a high intelligence quotient. The other has multiple types of dyslexia and a hypersensitivity disorder.
This weekend, as is the tradition at the beginning of each year, our "Dys Coffee" took place, allowing the member parents of our association to come together, and share their experiences, daily lives, and tips to help our children.
Of course, it's also an opportunity to enjoy a good cup of coffee and some pastries together.
This moment is always delightful and often moving, as the testimonials of some participants are particularly touching. The suffering of our dyslexic children, and our challenges as parents, are topics that we all know well within the association.
Different children with various challenges, but common issues.
We observe it every day; the well-being of our children at school largely depends on the kindness of their teachers. Unfortunately, there is a glaring lack of awareness and training within the teaching profession. Some teachers refuse to acknowledge the difficulties, displaying elements of ableism. Additionally, the shortage of healthcare professionals, such as speech therapists, makes the support complex. School accommodations are not always respected (never for some children), forcing parents to remain vigilant and continually advocate for their children's specific needs.
Parents who achieve better results constantly pressure the school and the educational teams throughout the year.
This is exhausting for the parents and stresses the children. Those who give up or ease this pressure to recharge, usually experience a rapid deterioration in their children's learning conditions, which is quite appalling.
The "Homework Train", do you hear it coming? Choo-choo!
I was in conversation with a newly joined father in our association, deeply concerned about the homework his son must complete at home. Within our association, we are well aware of the overwhelming amount of homework imposed on children.
Children who already face challenges in keeping up in class and are suffering often find it impossible to concentrate on their homework after school. Even before tackling the assignments, they must catch up on the day's lessons. My wife and I refer to this as the "Homework Train" – an incessant accumulation of assignments throughout the week. These tasks must be completed, or else the child may face sanctions from teachers who believe the child is lazy, even when the individualized plan suggests reducing the workload.
Unfortunately, I couldn't offer many tips to this father, except choosing to complete only half of the assignments to reduce the load, informing teachers about your decision to reduce the homework load and trying to advocate dyslexia among them, and, most importantly, removing the pressure on his child.
Often, parents of dyslexic children are so deeply involved that they unintentionally add extra pressure on their children by doing school after school.
Combating the lack of awareness of Dyslexia.
Our association also organizes awareness days about Dyslexia at the college level. During these days, we notice that some teachers become aware of the challenges faced by dyslexic students, while others seem hesitant to understand. None of them have the necessary pedagogical tools to adapt their lessons inclusively. Some even discover that there are techniques to avoid stigmatizing students with disabilities by, for example, offering the same support to everyone.
Knowing that we're not alone is a strength.
All parents leave this gathering reenergized and more determined, even though it is undeniable that the school still has a long way to go to become more inclusive. The parents in the association will once again have to tap into their reserves of energy this year to help their children.
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