I see you  five-years-old   kindergarten big smile, lunch box, back-pack too large counting to 20 seems impossible all is still right w...

NSW Mum's Red Letter

13:16:00 Dyslexia Australia 0 Comments

I see you 
five-years-old  
kindergarten
big smile, lunch box, back-pack too large
counting to 20 seems impossible
all is still right with the world…

I see you
six-years-old  
year one
tries to read
not clicking?
why can’t he remember page to page?
‘Never mind, he’ll catch up’
everything still seems okay…

I see you
seven-years-old 
year two
who still persists
I am told
‘He 
can’t 
read.
It’s okay... More reading at home.’
Is there still time?

I see you
eight-years-old 
year three
‘refusing’ to write
testing, reading programs, no answers, eye checks, tutoring, hearing check, IQ assessment… no answer
could it be dyslexia? 
‘NO! 
just not bright’ 
things are starting to crack…

I see you
nine-years-old 
year four
disliking school
hiding, crying, under the desk 
work never finished - if started
Teacher life line: ‘dyslexic signs’
but where to now?
self-esteem is plummeting

I see you
ten-years-old 
year five
struggling everyday
speech therapy 
An answer then?
‘No, definitely not dyslexia’
something is at least working

I see you
eleven-years-old 
year six
almost whole again
amazing teacher
adjustments, understanding, encouragement 
best year 

I see you 
twelve-years-old 
year seven
excited
are you prepared, please be prepared
more testing
I see you 
weary, anxious, down, done
phone call, meeting, email… nothing
I tell them
diagnosis: dyslexia, dysgraphia, anxiety
phone calls, emails… nothing
I tell them 
diagnosis: dyslexia, dysgraphia, anxiety, underlying depression
phone calls, emails, meeting… nothing
I tell them 
diagnosis: dyslexia, dysgraphia, anxiety, underlying depression, 
self-harm…

now can they see?
now have they heard?
now will they learn? 
now will they listen?

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