Do you think being dyslexic is an excuse for poor comunication skills?

kjl · 30-07-2010 5:21pm #1

Now I know that I will have to triple check my spelling and grammar in this thread. Let me start out by saying I am dyslexic, so in no way am I trying to have a go at people with learning disabilities.

When I was young, it was a bit hard for me because the standard way of teaching kids how to read and write didn't quite work for me. Being very upset by this I worked very hard at getting to a point where I could read properly. What I did, which is what most people do now, was to learn what the word looked like rather than reading the phonetically pronunciation of the word. The only last obstacle was that spelling was a little bit hit and miss for me. For example the word beautiful was impossible for me to spell correctly for years.

Nowadays I don't have any problem at all, spell check has basically eliminated my spelling problem and I simple learned all the grammar rules to avoid making mistakes.

But what really grinds my gears is people who use dyslexia as an excuse for literacy skills. Things like "your" instead of "you're" or "then" instead of "than", this has nothing to do with dyslexia This is simple laziness. Recently I recieved a typed letter from a fellow sufferer and I had to stop reading half way though, the spelling was terrible, the entire letter was one sentence and you could not follow the train of thought at all. When I pointed out to this person, who btw was 25, she hissed back at me saying "It's not my fault, I'm dyslexic".

Anyway, what are your thoughts?

I_AmThe_Walrus · 30-07-2010 5:23pm

I've met a lot of people, at home and abroad with dyslexia and I can tell you, it's not an excuse.

Most of these people are very intelligent, artistic and socially sound.

stupidusername · 30-07-2010 5:23pm

Short answer yes with an if, long answer no with a but.

Biggins · 30-07-2010 5:23pm

If one is willing to put the effort into communication, one will always find a way no matter what the method.
A lot of true dyslexics communicate better by other forms too, art for example!

My name is URL · 30-07-2010 5:24pm

Only when it's being used as one

Einhard · 30-07-2010 5:28pm

I think "dyslexic" is too often used by people when, in reality, they may just have poor writing skills. If someone is diagnosed with the condition fair enough, but I know certain "dyslexics" who have never been deemed so medically, and use it to excuse shortcomings in reading and writing.

I'm crap at maths. I'm not mathematically dyslexic.

Biggins · 30-07-2010 5:31pm

Einhard wrote: »

I think "dyslexic" is too often used by people when, in reality, they may just have poor writing skills. If someone is diagnosed with the condition fair enough, but I know certain "dyslexics" who have never been deemed so medically, and use it to excuse shortcomings in reading and writing.

I'm crap at maths. I'm not mathematically dyslexic.

Makes total sense. Nothing wrong with the communication skills there.

ScumLord · 30-07-2010 5:39pm

I don't know, I grew up in the days when Dyslexia was just called being stupid.

My Spelling and grammar has improved a shed load since using forums and especially ones full of grammar Nazi's like boards is. See the Nazi's aren't all bad.

AnonoBoy · 30-07-2010 5:42pm

I'm not sure about that but I know a lot of flakes who have self-diagnosed themselves as being bi-polar or having ADD to excuse their behaviour.

changes · 30-07-2010 5:47pm

Well thank Dog you're not lisdexic than OP. Teribblele lattitude to have. Shame on you PO!!

mikemac · 30-07-2010 5:58pm

I agree OP, a lot of spelling errors is just laziness.

A different matter are thousands and thousands being diagnosed with ADHD, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The little runt sets fire to a farm building or paints on your walls, ah forgive him, it's ADHD

Otherwise known, as bad parenting!

rednik · 30-07-2010 6:00pm

On.

mikemac · 30-07-2010 6:03pm

A story was on Joe Duffy last month.

Children who see a specialist and have dyslexia or learning difficulties can get exemptions from Irish. Fair enough.

Apparently it's too difficult for them to pick up a second language yet they can learn English

And from all these people who did not Irish, 50% went on to do a modern European language in secondary school

This is nothing more then using a condition to get yourself an advantage.
Irish is not more difficult then any other language.

Malice · 30-07-2010 6:08pm

ScumLord wrote: »

I don't know, I grew up in the days when Dyslexia was just called being stupid.

My Spelling and grammar has improved a shed load since using forums and especially ones full of grammar Nazis like boards is. See the Nazis aren't all bad.

Nazis doesn't need an apostrophe. You're not denoting possession, you're indicating a plural.

Sorry, someone had to do it.:pac:

Dudess · 30-07-2010 6:09pm

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

I've met a lot of people, at home and abroad with dyslexia and I can tell you, it's not an excuse.

Most of these people are very intelligent, artistic and socially sound.

... But they're still dyslexic.

Surely it's not an excuse but a reason? I know OP you've "beaten" it - and fair play, cannot have been easy - but I wouldn't be quick to dismiss those who haven't. I know a girl who couldn't get a job as an engineer because of hers - I found that quite upsetting. There's a lot of ignorance and prejudice surrounding dyslexia.

People can say it's annoying when a person writes poorly and then claims that this is due to being dyslexic, but it's also annoying when people assume dyslexia is merely having poor writing skills.

kylith · 30-07-2010 6:10pm

Some people genuinely have a problem. I knew one guy who was so bad he could barely read. There's a guy in work who's dyslexic, and his spelling is pretty bad, but legible.

On the other hand my SiL recently brought her son to about 3 different specialists because she's convinced herself he's dyslexic and was rightly pissed off when they all told her that he was just a lazy sh!t who couldn't be bothered to learn to read and write properly.

Personally, I don't think there's enough emphasis put on reading and writing. People who read a lot are sometimes looked on as somewhat peculiar (c.f. Bill Hicks' "Whatcha readin' fer?" bit), or it's thought that reading is something to do when you have to, not for pleasure.

Maybe we need some popular celebs to talk about how much they love books. "I'd never have made it to the final of Who Wants To Be America's Next Top X Factor Brother if I hadn't read War and Peace", kind of thing. Much as I hate Harry Potter, at least it got kids reading.

kjl · 30-07-2010 6:37pm

kylith wrote: »

Some people genuinely have a problem. I knew one guy who was so bad he could barely read. There's a guy in work who's dyslexic, and his spelling is pretty bad, but legible.

On the other hand my SiL recently brought her son to about 3 different specialists because she's convinced herself he's dyslexic and was rightly pissed off when they all told her that he was just a lazy sh!t who couldn't be bothered to learn to read and write properly.

Personally, I don't think there's enough emphasis put on reading and writing. People who read a lot are sometimes looked on as somewhat peculiar (c.f. Bill Hicks' "Whatcha readin' fer?" bit), or it's thought that reading is something to do when you have to, not for pleasure.

Maybe we need some popular celebs to talk about how much they love books. "I'd never have made it to the final of Who Wants To Be America's Next Top X Factor Brother if I hadn't read War and Peace", kind of thing. Much as I hate Harry Potter, at least it got kids reading.

Just watched the Bill Hicks sketch on YouTube, brilliant!

ScumLord · 30-07-2010 6:39pm

Malice_ wrote: »

Nazis doesn't need an apostrophe. You're not denoting possession, you're indicating a plural.

Sorry, someone had to do it.:pac:

Now I know!

genericguy · 30-07-2010 6:43pm

AnonoBoy wrote: »

I'm not sure about that but I know a lot of flakes who have self-diagnosed themselves as being bi-polar or having ADD to excuse their behaviour.

there is no such thing as ADD. I've always fancied being a primary teacher for one day so I could tell the mothers of 'ADD sufferers' that their kids are simply pricks that need a slap.

Dudess · 30-07-2010 6:46pm

genericguy wrote: »

there is no such thing as ADD.

There is. It's just that children are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as having it.

kisaragi · 30-07-2010 6:52pm

genericguy wrote: »

there is no such thing as ADD. I've always fancied being a primary teacher for one day so I could tell the mothers of 'ADD sufferers' that their kids are simply pricks that need a slap.

Link to the peer-reviewed paper where you support your statement with empirical evidence? Thanks.

Mr Benevolent · 30-07-2010 7:44pm

kisaragi wrote: »

Link to the peer-reviewed paper where you support your statement with empirical evidence? Thanks.

This ain't Politics. I tend to agree with the above poster.

Back on topic, I've seen people with dyslexia who have used it as a sob story, which is fairly pathetic. Most dyslexia sufferers I've seen on Boards however tend to make an effort, and if it's not perfect then it's still understandable. Txtspk is far worse and is a growing problem.

sligopark · 30-07-2010 7:48pm

kylith wrote: »

Some people genuinely have a problem. I knew one guy who was so bad he could barely read. There's a guy in work who's dyslexic, and his spelling is pretty bad, but legible.

tell him to stfu

genericguy · 30-07-2010 8:14pm

kisaragi wrote: »

Link to the peer-reviewed paper where you support your statement with empirical evidence? Thanks.

umm, no. there is indeed a molecular basis for the condition (i'm fairly sure it's a VNTR), but a good few paper disputing its prevelance, fcuked if i'm going hunting for them, I'm on a career break.

at any rate, there's fcuk all medical science involved in diagnosing children with ADHD, especially in this country - I know 2 in my extended family (both in the same nuclear family, what a coincidence :rolleyes:) and I'm aware of three in the estate in which I grew up, all of whom were given drugs after a brief consultation with a doctor.

"what's that johnny? you threw your lego at the teacher? here, swallow some of these"

I'd contend that well over 90% of these cases are false, and are the result of lazy mothers trying to find a substitute for effort in a little plastic bottle.

the balance of probability says if your child 'has ADHD' you're a bad parent. that's what your GP will be thinking anyway.

and OP, fair play to you, sorry for the OT.

alex73 · 30-07-2010 8:17pm

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

I've met a lot of people, at home and abroad with dyslexia and I can tell you, it's not an excuse.

Most of these people are very intelligent, artistic and socially sound.

For sure, Anyone who takes a dig a dyslexia as being lazy has not the first clue of what dyslexia really is,

30-07-2010 8:20pm

After watching louis theroux and america's medicated kids, I think add is probably severely overdiagnosed "little johnny decided he doesn't like his shoes today so we're going to increase his dosage" (I'm not kidding:mad:) or "I like my daughter better when she's drugged up, she's less annoying" but that doesn't make it nonexistent!
Just like annoying people moaning "I'm depressed" when they're not, doesn't mean depression isn't a problem!

strokemyclover · 30-07-2010 8:23pm

Dyslexic spelling and grammar Nazis??? This is a whole new level of weird for me, right here!

Lordy! I need to sit myself down!

-Jerry Springer Audience Member

Gyalist · 30-07-2010 8:45pm

kjl wrote: »

But what really grinds my gears is people who use dyslexia as an excuse for literacy skills. Things like "your" instead of "you're" or "then" instead of "than", this has nothing to do with dyslexia This is simple laziness. Recently I recieved a typed letter from a fellow sufferer and I had to stop reading half way though, the spelling was terrible, the entire letter was one sentence and you could not follow the train of thought at all. When I pointed out to this person, who btw was 25, she hissed back at me saying "It's not my fault, I'm dyslexic".

Anyway, what are your thoughts?

Received is spelled incorrectly.

starbelgrade · 30-07-2010 8:53pm

A dyslexic walks into a bra....

storm2811 · 30-07-2010 8:53pm

Biggins wrote: »

If one is willing to put the effort into communication, one will always find a way no matter what the method.
A lot of true dyslexics communicate better by other forms too, art for example!

Is art and dyslexia associated somehow?
I know a few dyslexics who are amazing at art.

MCMLXXXIII · 30-07-2010 8:57pm

In the US they have started to teach kids to read differently. They now look at each word more as a picture. They memorise the word based on how it looks, and they do a few words per week. That's in Kindergarten. Once they get to grade 1, then they begin to teach the kids how to write, etc.

I'm not dyslexic, so I don't know if this would actually help or not...it just seems weird though.

Anyway, I don't think using the wrong "two/too/to" or "their/there/they're" is acceptable under dyslexia.

kjl · 30-07-2010 9:05pm

Gyalist wrote: »

Received is spelled incorrectly.

Dame it! Stupid spell check I missed that one.

Malice · 30-07-2010 9:11pm

starbelgrade wrote: »

A dyslexic walks into a bra....

Dyslexics of the world - untie!

kjl · 30-07-2010 9:11pm

MCMLXXXIII wrote: »

In the US they have started to teach kids to read differently. They now look at each word more as a picture. They memorise the word based on how it looks, and they do a few words per week. That's in Kindergarten. Once they get to grade 1, then they begin to teach the kids how to write, etc.

I'm not dyslexic, so I don't know if this would actually help or not...it just seems weird though.

Anyway, I don't think using the wrong "two/too/to" or "their/there/they're" is acceptable under dyslexia.

This is how I taught myself to read. Nowadays the only time I get stuck is with newspaper articles spacing and the use of a dash to separate a word on to the next line. It's so bad that sometimes I have to ask someone what it says.

kisaragi · 30-07-2010 10:08pm

genericguy wrote: »

umm, no. there is indeed a molecular basis for the condition (i'm fairly sure it's a VNTR), but a good few paper disputing its prevelance, fcuked if i'm going hunting for them, I'm on a career break.

at any rate, there's fcuk all medical science involved in diagnosing children with ADHD, especially in this country - I know 2 in my extended family (both in the same nuclear family, what a coincidence :rolleyes:) and I'm aware of three in the estate in which I grew up, all of whom were given drugs after a brief consultation with a doctor.

"what's that johnny? you threw your lego at the teacher? here, swallow some of these"

I'd contend that well over 90% of these cases are false, and are the result of lazy mothers trying to find a substitute for effort in a little plastic bottle.

the balance of probability says if your child 'has ADHD' you're a bad parent. that's what your GP will be thinking anyway.

and OP, fair play to you, sorry for the OT.

Ok, fair enough, but poor/over diagnosis doesn't take away from the problems that people who truely have the disorder have...

Also back on topic... no I don't think people with dyslexia use it as an excuse for poor communication skills...

Millicent · 30-07-2010 10:15pm

kjl wrote: »

Dame it! Stupid spell check I missed that one.

Just as a tip kjl, Google Chrome has a spell checker on it which may make life a little easier on internet fora.

Dudess · 30-07-2010 10:15pm

bluewolf wrote: »

After watching louis theroux and america's medicated kids, I think add is probably severely overdiagnosed "little johnny decided he doesn't like his shoes today so we're going to increase his dosage" (I'm not kidding:mad:) or "I like my daughter better when she's drugged up, she's less annoying" but that doesn't make it nonexistent!
Just like annoying people moaning "I'm depressed" when they're not, doesn't mean depression isn't a problem!

+1. To cite the cases of misdiagnosis as proof it doesn't exist sets a dangerous precedent IMO.

byhookorbycrook · 31-07-2010 9:10pm

There are varying degrees of dyslexia. I teach children who have very mild dyslexia and some children who have very severe dyslexia.One of "my" children summed up dyslexia very well. "I'm not stupid, I have dyslexia, it means I have to work harder than other people in my class to get the same results." She sees it as a challenge, not and excuse. And ot the poster who said they were "crap at maths", did you ever hear of dyscalculia?

http://www.learninginfo.org/types-of-dyscalculia.htm

31-07-2010 9:27pm

genericguy wrote: »

there is no such thing as ADD. I've always fancied being a primary teacher for one day so I could tell the mothers of 'ADD sufferers' that their kids are simply pricks that need a slap.

There is, it's just very different to what people think it is. I have no idea how it became a synonym of 'being a little ****.' I have it and I was an impeccably behaved kid, but my concentration was woeful. My mind used to drift off in all directions during class and I just couldn't follow a lesson unless it was really, really captivating. My teachers used to shout at me for being rude and not listening, but I genuinely couldn't help it. I've only been able to sit through a handful of movies in my life. I'm 25 now and I can't sit and concentrate on one thing for longer than a few minutes. I'll write a paragraph and then get up and wander around the room and sit back down. I'll be talking to someone and randomly change topic in the middle of a sentence when a new thought pops into my head. But I've never used it as an excuse to behave like a rabid animal. Now, I'm aware that what I have is ADD, and relates to inattention, whereas other people apparently have a hyperactive element as well, but I think an awful lot of people use it as an excuse.

tfitzgerald · 31-07-2010 9:29pm

yse

endurodave · 31-07-2010 9:46pm

genericguy wrote: »

there is no such thing as ADD. I've always fancied being a primary teacher for one day so I could tell the mothers of 'ADD sufferers' that their kids are simply pricks that need a slap.

Wow that is incredibly offensive!

As for dyslexia its not right to use it as an excuse and by the time your leaving school you should have developed the skills to work with it to minimize the negative aspects of it.

Chuchoter · 31-07-2010 10:09pm

Theres no excuse for spelling in this day and age when we have spell check.

The bigger problem I have is the spelling and grammar waiver in schools. I have a friend who has very mild dyslexia, and she gets the waiver on her Irish and German. Now the Irish JC is 80% grammar and 20% content and vocabulary, so I don't know how it works, does she just get that 80% by default? Same thing with the foreign language, she got an A and she said if you put that down word for word you might have got a C, that it was a great points spinner for her. I mean if you can't speak a language you can't speak it, the Germans trying to talk to you/read something you wrote don't care if you've dyslexia. I think the waiver should be done away with altogether and just do another option like an extra science or something.

I used to think ADD was fake until I did work experience in a first class. I was minding the kids who didn't speak English/ had some kind of learning disability and the boy with ADD was trying so hard but he just kept drifting off to look at the wall or play with a pen every time he finished a question. It definitely wasn't just him being an asshole.

31-07-2010 10:22pm

crayolastereo wrote: »

Theres no excuse for spelling in this day and age when we have spell check.

Tbh the problem with an over-reliance on spell check is that people won't know how to cope without it. We use computers a lot, yes, but sometimes handwriting is called for. It's a bit like saying we don't need to know how to do sums because we have calculators.
I also think spell check doesn't always know what you're trying to say...

YFlyer · 31-07-2010 10:23pm

rednik wrote: »

On.

ko :rolleyes:

31-07-2010 10:31pm

kjl wrote: »

But what really grinds my gears is people who use dyslexia as an excuse for literacy skills. Things like "your" instead of "you're" or "then" instead of "than", this has nothing to do with dyslexia This is simple laziness.

Can I add one to your list?....

It's LOSE, not LOOSE. :mad:

Chuchoter · 31-07-2010 10:31pm

bluewolf wrote: »

Tbh the problem with an over-reliance on spell check is that people won't know how to cope without it. We use computers a lot, yes, but sometimes handwriting is called for. It's a bit like saying we don't need to know how to do sums because we have calculators.
I also think spell check doesn't always know what you're trying to say...

Yes but whereas with handwriting maybe I could excuse it, but when a computer is telling you the right spelling most of the time its just laziness that you didn't hit the edit=>spelling and grammar button.

MCMLXXXIII · 03-08-2010 2:52pm

kjl wrote: »

This is how I taught myself to read. Nowadays the only time I get stuck is with newspaper articles spacing and the use of a dash to separate a word on to the next line. It's so bad that sometimes I have to ask someone what it says.

Ugh, I hate that. I'm not dyslexic, but I still get caught up by the dash-next-line wording in the papers!

On another note, I absolutely think ADD and ADHD are diseases. However, I think they are extremely over-diagnosed. All you need to do (at least in the US) is go to the doctor and say "I have a hard time concentrating" and they give you the pills. People do this so they can sell the pills for $5 each AND have an excuse for their parents if they score poorly on an exam.

Or, some people do it just to get the pills for themselves during exam week. It's like steroids for the brain - you will score better after studying while taking adderall (or even ritalin). Other people really do need the medication though.

Saila · 03-08-2010 2:55pm

fo coiurse nit

starlit · 03-08-2010 2:59pm

no its not an excuse but dyslexic is still a learning difficulty which may or may not ever be overcome only with the help of education can that learning difficulty be less of a burden. Its quiet common and people should acknowledge it, colleges, employers alike should treat people fairly regardless of the level of dyslexia the person has. Poor communication is more than just having a learning difficulty poor communication is brought on by a persons personality and how they were raised and the evironment they grew up in not because of poor eduction/learning difficulty. Its a lot to do with confidence and self esteem and self worth if they are all lacking poor communication can be a usual factor.

mach1982 · 03-08-2010 3:16pm

I assume that you are taking about written communication, as my verbal communication is excellent .I'm dyslexic,( on a scale of 1-10 ,I would be about a 3) but my parents kept it from me , as they were afraid that I would us it as an excuse, as I can be lazy. I will admit that when I found out I did use it as excuse once or twice especially on broads like this. I was lazy, but now if writing some thing I take my time and concentrate. This reply has taken 15 minutes to write .

toxicity234 · 03-08-2010 3:20pm

I am dyslexic, I find it hard some day. Cause i'm a bit useless. My interperson communication skill are good(i think). But in the past i would do everything i could to avoide writing letters or e-mails. it stills takes me 10 mins to write a text message on a bad day.
It was when i got to college that it was spotted.
I think about school now and think how frustrated i was at times. My teachers would move me ever couple of week cause i was too bad for higher level and to smart for pass. end up learn nothing. English was hell for both me and the teachers.
I was a bored or frustrared teen.
Aw well, No point in look back too much, the future is alway better.

Do you think being dyslexic is an excuse for poor comunication skills?

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