I'm very sad hearing that many of whom had dyslexia had very little help in Malaysia...

And yes.. I mean this so much.. like I said previously, my cousin's son had this problem. Dyslexia is not STUPIDITY! and cannot be related with LAZINESS... its something that has got to do with the brain nerve connection about understanding, registering and recognizing alphabets which later becomes a word. These people with dyslexics, avoid writing, so as to avoid self disappointment, and low self esteem, and in the culture of people in Malaysia, I would say, teachers always quickly assume that their pupils are STUPID and LAZY!

I wouldn't say that this is totally the fault of these teachers, as they were not fully educated about DYSLEXIA. But, awareness needs to be given, to stop from pulling down student's or pupil's self esteem, in front of other students.

Malaysian people out there.. do you think this could be the answer of many drop outs of schools in Malaysia? I have been thinking about this, and it could be related. We have no such facilities to accommodate these Dyslexics in Malaysia as yet. We just started, and only a few schools are practicing it. I think, more needs to be done in the future, and this is needed very soon!

Malaysian Parents' are getting more involved now, and many had been exposed with the knowledge of Dyslexia. We have a group in Malaysia whom looks into such matter. But we need not relax no more... THESE Children or students or adults needs SPECIALIST help ASAP.. but we can't just rely on PRIVATE Consultants... VERY EXPENSIVE!

Everybody has to be educated! Everybody has to know what is dyslexia!

Out of 34 Malaysian people whom had answered my online questionnaire, only 8 knows what DYSLEXIA is? Surprising huh?! But that is the reality.. and those 8 people would be of whom: are having dyslexia or known somebody whom has dyslexia.

Recent conversation with a good friend of mine had motivated me further into understanding the problem of dyslexia. She's conducting a tuition session with this little boy, aged 7. And she's complaining that this boy has some problems with learning alphabet which she guessed might be related to dyslexia. I asked further and yes, indeed.

He seems to memorize all the alphabet, but when asked by pinpointing to one alphabet, he could not do it right. Even not writing. His parents complaint the same, and have no idea on how to offer helps to this 'troubled child'. I pity the child more, when my friend said that he cried one day. He is only 7, and he cried in front of his tuition teacher, expressing his difficulties doing his homework, study and exam. He left his exam paper blank, afraid to ask, because school teacher might embarrassed him in front of others, afraid of being called stupid, and would rather get '0'. His parents did expressed their concern, and my friend is doing her best for him.

I shared with her, techniques that could help him. Use block alphabet, use the fridge magnet alphabet. Ask the poor child to feel the alphabet. Always repeat the same work, repetition is very good for dyslexics. And many more...

I do hope that one day, someone would be able to help this child further. I really hope to be able to come back to Malaysia to educate more parents about this and increase the awareness further...

I really hope to be able to meet this boy... how I wish I could help...

But again, I do not mean to say that Malaysian are ignorant, but somebody need to help increase the awareness, and make this well informed to the Ministry of Education, so as to provide special facilities for Dyslexics Learners. Look at other countries as an example.. those that are well established with providing dyslexics good forms of help...

cheers

so what is it with the word DYSLEXIA?!?!?!?

I'm putting some efforts here reading journals and papers around the area/field that might involve research in dyslexia and some involves information from the psychology background, neurology, social science and even IT. There's a lot to understand and I don't think what I've read is enough.. owh.. it's never enough pamz.. you have to always keep on reading and reading and reading.. until everything is registered in your brain... atleast, that is my target...

my first year viva (that's what i call it) is coming very soon now.. and i am so very scared... of course the panic is everywhere... this is my first time and everybody's first time.. i can't imagine how its going to be like.. had talked to several people whom have had experience before, and mostly said, just be prepared...

SV advised, a short brief reflection of what i've done from the first day i came in.. 2 pages would be enough and another page for a Time Plan for all the things I planned to do for the next 2 and a half years more to go...

So, what about DYSLEXIA that I have understood so far?

I've just got a brief description from a colleague of mine, whom have had experience joining the BDA and some communities, plus husband and son is also having it. DYSLEXIA is an umbrella for Dysgraphia (handwriting problems), Dyscalculia (Numbers and calculations) and Dyspraxia (movements/balancing/motor skills). But recent reading, had mentioned that Dysgraphia and Dyslexia has no relation at all. I'm a bit confused here.

Logically, I would say, it does connects in some way or rather... because, Dyslexia is difficulties that involves reading, writing and spelling. And the inter-relation between reading, writing and spelling is that, one will have to learn the alphabet first (alphabet recognition), then the process of writing (which if a problem, could be dysgraphia) and then, one will learn the spelling processes before being able to read. AM I RIGHT? At least.. this is what I could come up with after a lot of reading...

And, if handwriting involves motor skills of moving your hands which also involves muscle movements, balancing the pen when writing, unable to perform this would lead to Dyspraxia, I suppose?!?!?! (anyone would like to argue with this?)

And in this case, I could not relate much to Dyscalculia, as this involves the calculation processes, that one needs to perform.

And so, at this moment, I am trying to find researches that involves issues regarding:

• handwriting processes
• alphabet recognition
• spelling problems that dyslexics' have
• how the alphabet recognition and writing connects to the brain?!?
  
• how the brain(dyslexics') works?
• how the brain(dyslexics') processes?

Basically, what I need to understand at this stage is how all these are connected.

I am sooo into it, I love this area so much, it has been my passion ever since I applied for a place to further my study, plus this was motivated more by my cousin whom complaints that her son has some learning disability, but lack of helps in Malaysia.

I will proceed with this. Hoping to be able to offer helps in Malaysia, once I'm back!

Literature Reading

It has been 2 weeks plus since I last blogged.. Was very busy with reading...

I need to focus my question now.. I know what I want to do, but, needing to more and needing to be more focus into what questions I would like to be answered...

I am very interested in understanding Dyslexia... My second entry in this blog also discussed about my passion understanding Dyslexia... I quit discussing and learning about them, after being put off by somebody.. but now, I am going back to this interest of mine again..

I hope to be able to put up more issues on it... to help myself understand further...

A number of questions playing in my mind:

• How do I related Dyslexics with Technology?
• Is it the Accessibility issues?

I was searching a few things and found out some key terms that interest me:

• Accessible Game
• Multisensory Learning

More questions:

• Does Dyslexics actually play games?
• Do they like playing games?
• What kind of games?
• How about online Word Games? Like those in Shockwaves website?
• Does this implies to Children or Adults Dyslexics?

Any one care to respond, please?

Thanks!

i was thinking...

I was thinking of doing my research based on multimedia and testing the eye movements of students when reading... I do not know whether this is the best idea.. i haven't found anything on this yet in my research. My husband had gave me this idea of having it done and to compare which design is preferable by dyslexia's students. I have not designed anything as yet, but I have ideas on it.

I read this short story given by a friend, Sera. She downloaded them from the internet:

Curly Line with Flowers
(from 'Be Special, Be Yourself for Teenagers')

The story of Jessie, a dyslexic girl, who writes a diary of her brave struggle for acceptance and how she wins it, with the help of her mother, her teacher and a friend.

It was from Ronit Baras. It is a good article and helps me a lot in understanding this little kid's problem with reading. Her therapist had helped her a lot in gaining confidence and giving a lot of motivation and encouragement in writing via emails and writing in diaries given specially to this little kid.

This gave me the ideas of practicing writing reflections in diaries. I learned Reflection Practice Writing when I was doing my Master Course with Steve Cockerill in LMU. I really like the course, understood it very well, even though I did not score that high. I was thinking of implementing this idea in my PhD research study. It would be great to be able to see what's on the student's mind and how they feel besides being able to encourage them to write more and not being ashamed of not being able to write properly.

Oh.. I know the journey of understanding this is still far for me. But I am trying my best to put myself in the shoes of Dyslexic person. Please share your experiences with me as it will greatly help in contributing to my deep understanding of the matter.

I have this great comments given by Liz from I Speak Of Dreams. I really appreciate her comments and sharing. I am open to any positive ideas, comments to better my research and understanding. I am sorry if I am not sensitive enough about the subject. I am still learning about this and I seek for all your help to make me better.

Thank you all!

Will have to read more to gain more understanding.

welcoming any info, ideas, problems, experiences on dyslexia

i belief dyslexics are very special... from my readings and research, dyslexic's brain are far more advance than normal human being's brain. it does make them special as they are SPECIAL!

look at all those famous people:

Albert Einstein? - he's a dyslexic
Thomas Edison - he's a dyslexic too
Leonardo da Vinci - he is too...

Walt Disney? - he is too...
Cher? - she is too...
Whoopi Goldberg? - she is too...

Jamie Oliver ? - Britain most famous Chef - he is dyslexic!

see... all these famous people are dyslexics! Dyslexic does not make you disable! Dyslexic is an advantage to those whom knows how to use them... so, u have got to know what you are good at... and i am very sure that u know what you like most!

my readings and research has opened my eyes and gives me the motivation to understand dyslexic in depth.

I would appreciate all comments, ideas, information, problems, experiences and what not on this matter... I would love to be able to understand dyslexic..

cheers

in the process of understanding

Still in the process of understanding. I have got this idea from a cousin of mine. Met her on Raya Eve and she told me of her son whom is dyslexic. The word was very new to me back then.

It suddenly became my utmost interest. I decided to proceed my study and research in the matter. Looking at Malaysia, the issues are so fresh that I could still make it major.

I am looking for sponsorships to sponsor my study. I am very highly motivated to proceed with this. First, I would love to major the issue so that I could understand it and be able to advise and share what I know with others who need them. I want to write on this matter. I want to share as much as I know about what I studied. I hope to be able to help dyslexics.

I hope.. i hope.. i hope..