DYSLEXIA AWARENESS: My Dyslexia Story
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ค. 2024
- Today, 4th October 2019, has been chosen as World Dyslexia Awareness Day by the European Dyslexia Association. The British Dyslexia Association has named next week as Dyslexia Awareness Week. In light of this, I want to share my own journey with dyslexia.
British Dyslexia Association website: www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/suppor...
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Intro / Outro song: Silent Partner, "Greenery" [ • Greenery - Silent Part... ]
My 8-year-old daughter is dyslexic. We use my wife, also dyslexic, as her example. My wife's mom was told when wifey was 9, "Don't expect much from thus one" because of her severe dyslexia. She went on to a PhD in quantum chemistry and worked with Nobel Prize winning chemists. We need neurological differences to understand the world!!!!
Wow, that's amazing! My mother suffered similar discrimination as a child with dyslexia. I'm a little dyslexic myself. Your wife and Dr Kat are living proof that the sky is the limit for determined women. Your daughter has a great role model.🙂
I am physically disabled. You are a great example of what I called an example of creative living. I have problems putting on my socks. There was a time where to put my socks on, I would lay on my stomach, bend my knee bringing the foot up to my butt and reaching back, put the toe inside of the sock. You can imagine the look on a doctor's face when he he watched me putting my socks on. You can imagine the opinion of my concrete thinking mother. But doing it her way was painful and my feet got in the socks.
I am not dyslexic. I am autistic - diagnosed at age 47. My life and my experiences all suddenly made sense after diagnosis. I knew I wasn't functioning on the same social level as everybody else, but had no idea why. I just accepted that I was "weird." Being "weird" didn't stop me from dating, marrying (twice), and having friendships. I've had an active, involved, life. I just knew it was harder and more uncomfortable for me than it was for others. And, now, I know why. That knowledge has been so freeing.
Thank you for this Kat. It took an IQ of 163 to get a B- average and I was told the dame things you were. I did so well at IQ puzzles and tests but the written and math work was really a struggle. I found myself staring at blackboards and trying to figure out the puzzle it presented. I was all the way through university before being tested for dyslexia. I had learned how to play the game from the wrong side up. I was told over and over, "Lucy, you're very intelligent. You should pursue medicine as a career." First of all, testing for all of us is a nightmare, and second, nursing is a very honorable and excellent profession. My seventh grade teacher pulled my hair when I made a mistake, my sixth grade teacher allowed me to put my head on the desk when I failed to solve the riddles that the blackboard posed. I was an underachiever, lazy, not trying hard enough,,, the same things you were told. That's not helpful in any way. I also wonder where my very high IQ and passion for medicine would have taken me but for dyslexia,
I’m listening to this and you could be telling my story. I would say that the words got stuck in my hand, my poor dad would sit with me for hours and get me to tell him what I wanted it to say and he would help me transcribe it. My dad had exactly the same problems and he eventually got diagnosed in his 50s, he failed his 11+ and got sent to the “Dooley school” where the “thick kids” went. He managed to get an apprenticeship, worked his way up and did an open university degree in design and chemistry, he is now an Chief commissioning engineer working in nuclear energy. It shows with the right support that you can be a success which whatever way you see success. I was told I was a musical learner, to remember phone numbers by putting them into a tune and everyone had their own song!
I love that you are raising awareness. I have Lupus and DDD. The symptoms began at puberty. In high school, I would tell my parents that I was physically exhausted and that my body hurt all the time, they thought I was being lazy. In law school, I was sleeping 16 hours a day while still maintaining grades high enough to be on dean's list. A doctor I went to, didn't do any blood work, and told me I was lazy. In 2004, I was finally diagnosed with TEXTBOOK Lupus, a simple blood test and a checklist, and it took 5 minutes. It took 14 years to get the diagnosis. It has led to imposter syndrome and constant feelings of worthlessness. Now that I'm a wheelchair user, you can see my disability, but disability awareness for invisible disabilities is so important.
Dr Kat thank you so very much for sharing your story, my grandson, we believe is dyslexic. We have been trying for the last 3 years to have him diagnosed. He's very frustrated and has started to act out in class. This year he was sent to a different type of school for unruly children. To our absolute amazement he has started to thrive. I watched this then showed it to him. He watched in silence ( which is such an achievement) after watching it twice he said " nanny she sounds like me". You have honestly truly done something that no one else has, no matter how we tried to tell him he's not thick, stupid not willing to learn, you have shown him that he has a problem. Tomorrow he's taking his tablet to show his teachers this video. I know this is a few years on but thank you so very much, you may just have helped us from stopping going down the wrong road. You have shown him he can achieve his dreams.
I don't think I'm dyslexic but math gave me anxiety attacks and I didn't learn how to read an analog clock when the rest of my classmates did. I just didn't understand it and I dreaded the blank clock stamp my teacher would use when we were learning it in grade 2. We were supposed to draw in the hands to show the time she specified. In 5th grade the teacher would pick a student at random to tell him what time it was because he was lazy and couldn't see the wall clock from his desk (and apparently didn't own a watch?) The much-dreaded day finally when he chose me and I had to say in front of everyone that I couldn't read the clock. If that wasn't mortifying enough, another teacher came in to mind us during lunch that day and said to me - in front of everyone "So, I hear you can't tell time". I will never ever forget that day for as long as I live. One good thing which came out of it was that I taught myself how to tell time as a result and I've taught myself a lot of great things since then. Still hate math and I still hate analog clocks though.
Thank you for sharing your story. I just had my son watch it, he was diagnosed with a severe articulation disorder at the age of three and he is difficulties reading because what he hears isn't necessarily what is on paper. He is a very auditory learner and if he hears something he has it. We are from Georgia in the United States so most of us have a southern accent, he gets asked if he is from the UK because of how he sounds. It took years for him to understand that it isn't an insult but a compliment. There is a lot of stigma when it comes to learning issues (we don't call them disabilities we call them issues because you can work to overcome an issue). My son in 6th grade had a reading level of a second grader, however, his listening comprehension was that of a freshman in college. It is hard for him as he enters college because his college entrance exam he has to read it and it takes him a lot longer and getting them to assign a reader or give him more time has become a challenge.
I myself was diagnosed as an adult with severe dyscalculia and dyslexia. My father is great with numbers so when my math grades were awful I would often get punished for it. I too do not know my multiplication tables and I have such an issue with flipping numbers that my husband often has to come put in our card numbers for online shopping because I will try and mess it up and eventually get discouraged and not make the purchase. I was very fortunate that when I started back to school at the encouragement of my husband (I was 39 and a freshman in college) that was assigned to an amazing advisor. I told her my issues with math and when I told her that I wanted to get a degree in history she told me I still had to take a math class. However, she informed me I could take a class that did not have the first equation for me to work out. I took a math class on the History of Math. I wrote learned and wrote about math theory, famous mathematicians, and how some of these references have made their way into pop culture.
With my dyslexia i have my husband proof read all of my papers, then I turn them into the writing lab at school and have them proof read them before I turn them in. I know my brain works differently than theirs so I need to make sure that just because it makes sense to me it will also make sense to anyone who reads it. My husband is my biggest help because English is not his first language it isn't even his second, it is his third, when he immigrated to the United States in 1986 from Czechoslovakia his parents wanted to make sure that he learned English properly meaning the grammar and punctuation, however, he reads incredibly slow because for him reading is more of a translation exercise. On more than one occasion he informed me that if it had not of been for friends he never would have became a helicopter pilot in the military. His friends would get together to study and actually read their text together. We all find ways to cope with what issues we have and it is very refreshing and encouraging to hear your story. It lets me know that if I choose to go for my doctorate it is possible even with dyslexia.
I just wish testing was easier to get in the United States because it seems like no matter what your learning issue is, our experience has been that they want to say it is either a form of autism or ADHD, and then the testing is so expensive that most people are not able to get properly diagnosed.
It really sucks that testing is difficult and expensive to come by; testing is the only way to get the diagnosis, which brings explanation and support! We aren't incapable, we just work differently and need to be supported to take the path to learning that works for us. I wish you and your family all the best 🌟
Too familiar, the father who is good at math and us kids struggling with it.
Oh, Dr. Kat, you are a champion Overcomer! I am so impressed. I know a great deal about your struggle because of our youngest daughter, Laura. We raised three children. Because I believe that reading is essential to a successful life, I taught the oldest two the fundamentals of reading before they entered kindergarten. They both flourished as early readers and successful students. Although Laura loved being read to, she was very reluctant and even adversarial when it came to any form of instruction. Kindergarten was a struggle and she simply shut down. Because she is our "baby girl" I thought perhaps it was simply a maturity issue that would work its way out. I began to closely watch her drawing and "pretend writing". Indeed we have a strain of dyslexia in my family and after reading and talking to educators, I became convinced that Laura was frustrated by a congenital cognitive learning difference. Six weeks into the first grade, I insisted that she be tested. She was diagnosed with exactly that. I will not tell you the long story of all the things we did as a family to support her learning experience. I will say that dyslexic students, more than anything, need an advocate, someone to watch over and speak for them from time to rime. Today Laura is a grown woman with children an advanced college degree and the Art teacher at our local high school.
Dr Kat you are amazing !
Although I know very little about dyslexia your story reminded me so much of the struggle my nephew Alex had with Aspergers . He found his time at school really difficult and the lack of support and understanding from the teaching staff just made his life at school unbearable , he hated every minute. Even when he was diagnosed with Asperger’s and statemented he still found obstacles put in his way from those who should’ve been helping and understanding his condition. ( school )
Alex is now 24 he has written a book on his life living with Asperger’s and he now gives talks to companies throughout the world explaining what it is like to have this condition. He would tell you that your dyslexia is your superpower. Because of it you can do what you do . It is an extra special piece of you.
His parents have always told him that he is the luckiest person in the world because he has a network of friends and family who understand and support him , I believe you have the same
What a difference it makes. Well done you as I would never have known if you hadn’t said .
I get you completely. School and general education was horrible for me after the 5th grade. During my high school years, my spelling and reading were years behind my age. Grade 6, I was at a grade 2 reading and writing level. My ability with numbers and mathematics virtually stopped at basic adding and subtracting. I've learned I'm dyslexic and dyscalculic since then and virtually had to teach myself. Unfortunately, I dropped out of school and became an artist. Not a terribly successful one mind you, haha. Currently considering doing a portrait of Eleanor of Aquitaine as I have an interest in history as well.
Thank you for sharing your story and knowledge. You are doing fantastic!
I'm sorry that you had to experience school as an undiagnosed dyslexic too - it sucks!
I look forward to seeing that portrait if you do decide to go ahead.
I’d love to see your portrait, too! Leaving school was not your fault, you just didn’t get the proper teaching you needed.
Sorry it took so long, life and all that! Not nearly as good as I'd like, but here is a link(hopefully its right)to my post of the art.
m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1519362011590742&id=136327166560907
Thank you for sharing your story. I also suffer from the symptoms of dyslexia, although I think that in my case it is part of a cluster of dysfunctions. I also find it hard to read a longer text. Unless it is something that really interests me, it gives me literal physical pain.
Somehow I managed to navigate my way through the academic world. Because of my unfiltered candidness I managed to tick off many people in the position of power and influence, damaging my career immensely. One poor choice followed the other. Then came alcoholism and drug abuse.
I'm in much better place now. I speak four languages fluently, I have a job just suited for my abilities, while being surrounded by understanding and supportive colleagues. I wish we all would emerge from these trying times ever unphased, ever successful, ever triumphant.
Exactly how I felt/feel. Thank you for sharing your story. Makes me not feel so alone. 🥰 There are others.
@Reading the Past As I sit here in tears because your story is a complete replica of mine. Minus the testing for a diagnosis. As you were ticking off the symptoms I was saying, “yep, yep, yeah that one too.” I struggled through high school. Timed tests were pure torture for me. I only did well in the classes I enjoyed. I ended up dropping out during my 10th grade year. I did go get my GED around the same time as when my classmates would have been starting their 12th grade year.
I did go back to school when my son was in 5th grade. I went to nursing school. I love science and history. My hubby hates to watch the game show Jeopardy which is like a trivia show and those subjects come up. I did amazing in nursing school my teachers would let me put a small tape recorder up on their podium or desk so I could record the entire lecture. I would listen to the lecture again and write notes. Sometimes I would do that more than once so I could make sure I really understood what was being said.
Also watching things being done numerous times helped me so much.
Thankfully when I sat for boards I passed the first time.
Thank you for sharing your story. It makes I’m sure a lot of us not feel so alone. Dr. Kat you are absolutely amazing and I love all of your videos. Please keep them up.
Thanks again,
Laura
Kentucky, USA
My takeaway: Another testament to your brilliance Dr. Kat. Thank you for sharing.
Oh my word. I watched this and it has given me the courage to go for an assessment.
My husband’s mother was a supported needs teacher suggested I was dyslexic. I was 40 .
I have struggled all my life using lots of wee techniques to get over stuff and hiding my mistakes.
I am very good at it. But during lockdown while helping my grandson with his schooling all the old nightmare scenarios rushed back.
I am now in my 60’s now and have arranged for a formal assessment. I don’t need it for work or further education but it would help me stop thinking I’m ‘thick’ ‘No matter how many times I’m to,d I am anything but stupid. Thank you again
Thank you for sharing your story! ♥️
My poor dad left school in grade 3
So intelligent 👌 and successful! Became an Ironworks! Could read blueprints but not really write 🤔
Was a natural artist
His memory was off the charts
So intelligent
So happy times have changed
This could be my story. Thank you for bringing normalcy to dyslexic folks, especially children. I had a non dyslexic twin, and I grew up thinking I was the 'lazy, stupid twin'. I often wish I could go back and explain what was actually going on. Growing up without being diagnosed is a tragedy; but you're not alone in having suffered that fate.
Thank you so much for that video! I didn’t realize my little quirks added up to more than me being weird! The things you listed off, most notedly left and right have always been a family joke about me. I know them logically, but there’s that pause in me or knee jerk reaction where I say it backwards. I had to invent my own way of doing math problems that worked and got the right answer, but was always told was wrong because it wasn’t their formula. When I text or type the words are always inside out or even backwards. My sister told me growing up that I should be happy, because it made me creative. I never thought it could be anything other than just being artistic, creative, or clever. Woulda been nice to be normal, common, ordinary.
Soooo thank youu for sharing your story about dyslexia! I have also dyslexia and for me was it very hard to learn my first language (dutch). After my 18yrs i understand more the dutch grammatic and after my 23yrs i learn more and more but it hard to write without making spelling mistakes.
Now....on my 34years..i want to learn english. Most of the dutch don't understand why to learn a 2end language is very hard for me. I can understand others/english but i can't always give answer. Now i learn English with youtube and learn also form you. So thank you! I love your accent.
My past teachers thought i'm dumb and can't learn so i most go to a special school where i learn nothing... realy... nothing... 🙈
When they discover when i was 21year i have dyslexia ánd very smart (iq 129). I learn a lot but on my way.... oh i finish in 2013 my bachelor 😉🤭
Congratulations on your BA and your commitment to learning another language. Getting the dyslexia diagnosis is so important, isn't it?
I have two grandchildren with dyslexia. I have forwarded your video to my children so they may understand what you went through and what is possible for their children. I learn from every one of your videos. This was the best and I compliment you on your openness and courage.
Thank you for sharing your story Dr Kat, I have suffered all my life with dyscalculia( undiagnosed ). It wasn’t until my two children went to school, that I realised I had passed it onto them,And they got the support they needed. Although there aren’t a lot of services or support here in Australia for it it is getting better. And hopefully the next generation coming through will have an easier time and more self acceptance. You are such an inspiration with or without dyslexia. Love your work 🥰
Thank you, Christina! Your children are so lucky to have you - I firmly believe that most of the battle towards accepting and relishing your difference is won when we are supported and accepted as children. By seeking diagnosis and support for them, you are helping them see that their differences can be their superpowers!
Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring story. I was quite teary in places when I thought of you as a little girl and teen being labelled lazy 😭. You present and an incredibly professional and clever (thorough!) person. I had no idea you suffered throughout your schooling. It just shows that all people need in life is the support of others to push through. Your parents, friends, husband and University. Congratulations on your incredible achievements and your extreme determination to keep going. You have inspired me today! I struggled at school but worked incredibly hard to do well. Xoxoxoxox
The high IQ makes the "just lazy" lecture worse. I am just shy of 60 and have never been assessed other than IQ tests, but when my only birth child struggled in grade primary to colour in the lines and basic letter formation. He could explain principles of camouflage and why and how creatures evolved to use it as a safety tool, and infinity at 4yrs of age along with any other subject that peaked his interest. I knew this child needed the diagnosis and adaptations to make his journey through school more tolerable. He tested gifted IQ but cannot spell correctly and struggled to say the days of the week in order. To this day, can not hold dates, says it was a J month when telling us when something is to happen. These special brains, neurodiverse, gives us more positives than negatives. We find our coping strategies. Thank you, Dr. Kat, for sharing your story.
I've only just noticed this video and I'm absolutely amazed. I never thought of myself as dyslexic as I've always been great at reading and spelling...although I often have difficulties with grammar, despite getting an O Level in English language, much to my surprise. But, I have quite severe discalculia and had the same problems as yourself, Dr Kat. I never learnt the times tables, can't remember numbers and, much to my annoyance, I keep getting left & right and west & east mixed up, which is awful for an amateur architectural and landscape historian, lol. I have little rhymes and songs to remember important numbers by and am a whizz at simple mental arithmetic for multiplying numbers, again using simple little formulas, and I've coped quite well for a long time. However, it's all fallen down recently as everything is now in metric and it's completely meaningless to me, plus anything digital is also beyond me. I realised that one of my problems is being unable to remember symbols if they aren't obvious ones. So, I always have to hunt through my email symbols to find which of several different arrows mean the one I'm looking for. I'm also a photographer and I'm so used to my 35mm film camera that it isn't a problem but I can't for the life of me work my little point and shoot digital camera for unimportant stuff and just leave it on the same setting. What does a little daisy mean? Close-up, landscape or nature? Who knows? lol. And as for using a mobile, forget it! I tried and bought what I thought were simple ones twice, at the insistence of my son and d-i-l, and after a long frustrating day of trying to work the last one (I managed to put one phone number in) I ended up sweating, crying my eyes out and with a humungous migraine. So that was another one that went in the bin.
Really sorry for this long comment but I think you've let the floodgates open! And I reckon I should get a proper diagnosis and some help if possible. Thank you so much for this amazing video, Dr Kat, and for sharing your difficulties with us. :)
Your story up to A level is just like mine. Except I was told I was thick. I didn't go to a good school, I didn't have supportive friends and I did have self esteem to ask for help. So I quit school at 16 and spent 10 years struggling to fill out forms, stuggling at work and struggling with a lot of other things. I got diganoised when I was about 26/27 and digognoised with dispraxia when I was 29. As you have come out and I admire you so much I am going to look into history courses I can take while my children are small and work is hard to come by. I wish I had gone to university where I think I would have been able to get diognoised earlier. But now I'm in my 30s I'm not scared to ask for help and I'm not scared about making a fool of myself because I learn a bit different to other people. Thank you Dr Kat
As a 56 YO woman who was diagnosed with severe Dyslexia as a child? this is inspiring and appalling. I KNOW I'm smart I have three associates degrees in different fields, but I went no further out of fear and absolutely NO HELP from family or teachers. I am so happy you had support and have gone so far! I absolutely love your channel and am fascinated with history and feel I missed my calling :-). Imposter syndrome is very real and when you have been told " just try harder" it gives -as I call it "the committee" - way too much power to hold you back. If it weren't for computers spell check and a lifetime of memorizing how to spell I would have never had the ability to even say this. thank you Dr Kat!
I probably have it
Difficulties when tired with repeating back say 😴 a credit card no will write it down wrong
Will flip numbers around
Terrible at directions north and south sse
Just like you described
My dad was severe!
So sorry you went through this
I'm so sorry you have to admit to labeling your Father as "severe". It makes thing even harder when Loved ones of people in authority positions, like teachers being harsh and unhelpful. I hope your experiences will come to more positive as you find your way through life. 🤜🏻🤛🏻
My father was dyslexic. Thanks so much 🙏 for sharing
I identified with this so strongly.
I have dyslexia and adhd. That great combination!
Dyslexia spotted in my second year university, I was going to drop out due to poor health. My department sent me me to the service for students with disabilities because they wanted to kick me out (long story regarding dispute about grades) and it was part of the process. Department believed I was anorexic and that’s what they asked for assessment for. I have not mistaken that word. The assessment provide fortunately applied logical and intelligence and actual doctors records and managed to figure out that I was Ill and being treated by my doctor, not anorexia but something else, and that I had very bad dyslexia which was a step too far while trying to cope with physical problems. It involved things like panic attacks when entering a library, so clearly a problem that had to be addressed! So they couldn’t kick me out. 25 years later I have both bachelors and master’s degrees. I had a place to do a phD but didn’t due to money. My boss years later tried to get me to do a phD because they want my research out there in my field. I have adhd finally diagnosed, and Cambridge University let me teach in their name…….. to anyone watching this video, it doesn’t matter how your brain works, it its still valid. Thank goodness for the internet and that we can now support each other. Last millennium the position was very different. The information and the power is yours for the taking.
Thank you for a certin type of vindication. At 67 years old its all alittle to late. I worked the problem same exactly as you. In the states now days dyslexia for children on the dante scale hovers at level one. Such progress has been made. As a kid in the nineteen sixites it was level three. your kindness and insight has helped millions. Best Regards Jack.
My son is dyslexic. His father was and his paternal grandmother is. I was told, the November before his gcse's to not put pressure on him as he wouldn't get anything higher than a d grade at GCSE level by the senco teacher. I was angry that they just failed him and it was too late for him to catch up. I had battled his schools since he was 7 & he got no help. He didn't even qualify for a scribe in his exams because he fell into the bottom 2% not bottom 1%. I was angry and made them reassess him. It was the only test I told him to do rubbish for. He went to college, got distinction in btec level 3, equivalent of a level. His college tutors worked very hard to get his reading age up. He'll never be a reader, beyond comics, but his reading age and reading comprehension age has increased.
You have found a medium in your channel that works for you. Well done!
The comment you said about the “two different people” , the carelessness and lazy person- is exactly how I was described- I was so lucky to have a history teacher who had helped me with my research into a project and was confused by the quality of the essay he recieved. He was the one who pushed for my testing. I now love the way my crazy brain works - even when I change the word manger to manger
Dr. Kat, it’s terrible that you have had to struggle with dyslexia, it makes your achievements all the more amazing. I had a similar, but much more minor, and easily correctable, difficulty: it wasn’t discovered that I couldn’t see the writing/numbers on the blackboard until I was about 11. (My teacher noticed that when he said “look”, I looked at him, not the board.). I didn’t realize it because I thought the board was for his, the instructor’s, note-taking! A simple pair of glasses made learning so much easier and better, it’s a shame that there’s no such easy fix for dyslexia. Thanks for sharing this with us and raising awareness of this difficulty!
My mum was told by my teacher when I was 9 (I'm now 43) that I would be lucky to get a job working in a factory, that treatment has stuck with me and I don't feel I have achieved much in my life, I am however, married and have 4 incredible children. I often think of that teacher and wonder if he realised how he had crushed a little 9 year old girl?
Thank you Dr Kat. My sister was diagnosed while in primary school. As a family we understood that she assessed facts differently. Instead of a TV programme in th eearly days of TV we would ask her what was showing and such and such a time on such and such a channel. She went on to have a success career in the travel industry.
Thank you for sharing your story. I still have to THINK about which is left & which is right --- it took me years to learn to read an analogue clock & I had the worst time with my times tables! & yes, I got called lazy the whole time I was growing up. It took me a long time to realize that *I* knew when I was being lazy & when I wasn't, & it didn't matter that other people thought differently...
You are in no way an imposter. I love all of your videos and I’m thankful for your videos. Just found this channel a few days ago, and burning through all of them. 🖤
I was assessed fir dyslexia around the age of 12 and for me it was a weight around my neck. I had a helpful teacher to a point, they asked me to record a story onto tape. I recored two side of the tape. I handed it in really proud. He cames back to me and said this story is amazing. Then the bomb shell. NOW WRITE IT OUT. I never did. I like you was like two persons at school. The articulate person and the could do better. Unfortunately I gave up as most teachers gave up on me and left school with nothing. One thing that didn't help me was my dyslexia did not affect my reading and was always had an above average reading age. Again this made the teachers think I was lazy. Since leaving school i have worked in schools as a Teaching assistant and now as a Learning Mentor. Working with children with dyslexia.
Thank you for this video. This was / is my life. I was diagnosed in college after my professors got together, with me, and discussed how it was impossible for me to be so good in class and have such "disappointing" exams. Why was I "squandering my education" by not working hard....etc. Then on professor suggested that I go to the psych lab and get tested for dyslexia. I probably didn't have it, but it would be good to "rule it out." After the diagnosis of dyslexia, they changed and helped me. Thank you again for this video.
I am following you for quite a long time but I only found this video. I am so content that you didn't give up and you are a true fighter. Your misery while un-diagnosed was definitely a factor that helped you to be thorough in your studies. The fact that you prefer making videos and not write is in favour of the entire world. How many of us would read your articles/books? This way we all benefit from your passion towards history and presenting it (and yes, you are a GREAT presenter). I deeply respect you and I am very thankful to you.
Thank you for sharing this video - insightful and inspiring. I was diagnosed with dyslexia at school. I had a careers officer tell me I should go into a “trade” because studying for a history degree wasn’t going to happen. I had support from some amazing teachers and got to university - a BA and 3 Masters later I think I proved the careers officer wrong! There is aspirations to do a PhD at some point in the future but the task would be a monumental undertaking
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I was eight years old. The schools that attended where not supportive of my needs. I am currently working on my masters in social work, so despite the lack of assistance I did not lose my love of learning. Hearing stories like yours gives me hope. Thank you
Thank you for this! I am new to my diagnosis dyslexia (plus ADHD and anxiety). The being told you are two people my whole education life was very true to me and my experience.
Thank you for sharing your story!!!
Wow. I'm so touched on many levels.
I discovered your channel a few days ago and have watched at least a dozen of your videos so far. Big fan already!
But this video is so special. I admire your transparency in sharing your story. It was surprising to hear it--as you're obviously so intelligent--and very helpful as well. One of our daughters has recently been diagnosed with autism (Asperger's), so this has special significance for us, though it's a different learning disability. You and your parents are an inspiration and example to me, and I'm sure our daughter will find you one as well. Thank you and bless you!
Congratulations! I think people with learning problems [eg dyslexia] will find your story encouranging. I've been teaching English Language at a Greek Primary School and spelling English words is far more difficult for an average student than spelling Greek words. When diagnozed Greek students can skip written exams.
English was a foreign language for me and as I have a passion for medival history I adore your videos! Never tire listening to you!!!
Thanks so much for sharing your story, Dr. Kat. I had a similar experience to your except that I have an anxiety disorder rather than dyslexia. I know people with other conditions such as ADHD who have the same problem - being told they just need to try harder and stop being lazy. Can we just stop attaching moral judgements when children aren't getting their work done? Most kids want to be do well and want to please their parents and teachers. If kids are struggling, adults need to figure out what is going on and not blame the child.
My partner is working on his PhD and struggles with dyslexia. Thank you for this because I am wearing thin reading, editing, and listening over and over. I needed this reminder to practice some patience and grace with him. 💜
Dearest Dr. Kat, such an open honest account of your academia life.. I can’t thank you enough for your sentiments, and sincerity… your such an inspiration.. yes you are different, we all are… and that’s what makes us all unique… your personality is so spontaneous, and your eager to share and help others. Keep inspiring my dear.. loving your work…
Thank you for sharing your journey. Both my sons have dyslexia, but at junior and senior school, the local authority (Essex) did not diagnose, as to acknowledge the problem, they would have to put in additional support. I had the boys diagnosed privately with the dyslexia institute... They flew! We received support from the local authority and now they have degrees. They are confident young men.
Right. Properly crying now. My daughter (we are on week nine of homeschooling) has just said today "well... it's not right. But I did my best."
And your comment about your mum just melted me.
I have to add this: your videos are incredibly engaging. I shared it in a teaching group. I got teased for "sending us all down the rabbit hole" of history. You are a GIFT for those of us who *love* history.
Dr. Kat, thank you so much for sharing your story. I could see the pain of your experience on your face as you told your story. How amazing what you have accomplished in spite of the dyslexia. What an inspiration you are to others suffering from this condition. Good on you for pushing through what was a frustrating and painful chapter of your life. You rock!! PS. Love your channel.
Just to share a story, having always been the dummy that can't read all the way through school. I had complained about the letters not looking right and like you was told I was just lazy. I had moved out of my parents house and was in my new place one afternoon when my mom called me and asked if I could turn a show she was watching. The show was called why can't Johnny read? It showed a machine that simulated the Dyslexic view. My mom still on the phone asked if that was what I had been saying all those years? I had graduated high school that year. It was 1975 and no one I knew had ever heard the word Dyslexic before. The next year I found a clinic that could test me they said on a scale of 1000 I was in the 900's range of severity. I should not have been able to get through school but I had. They told me I could have done special things if I had known about this early. years later I was advised by a teacher in collage to get retested so the academic system could be of help once I had the documentation. This worked well and the university did make help available. So yes tell everyone who suspects to get tested.
I, too, have imposter syndrome. I think mine comes from a combination of not being as smart as my brother, and then marrying a man who decided to put me down at every opportunity. I felt inadequate as a child, though I put this on myself. My family never did or said anything to make me feel inferior. But my ex-husband has the most to answer for. In the 22 years since I left him, I am still fighting the demons inside my brain that keep repeating what he told me and said about me. I have achieved many things since my divorce, but I still feel like someone will catch me out soon and unveil my pretence to the world. This video resonated with me, not only because of what I have just explained, but also because I am certain that my daughter has a mild form of dislexia. She has never been tested, but I would love to have that done. She's 26, so it would have to be her decision. BTW You're not just a pretty strong historian. You're a pretty strong woman and human being as well.
I found your channel & have started going on yhe backlog & found this. Thank you so much for sharing. I struggled so much with spelling, times tables, left/right, and a few other things. My younger child did too, and your story sounds SO much like theirs- they struggled so much with writing & other things in grade school, but so bright & funny & engaging. Finally, just after covid (US grade 7, age ~13) they said to me "I think I'm dyslexic." They are! And ADHD. We call it "neurospicy" around here (its a good descriptionfor several of us at home, actually). Knowing at least lets us know they need the mental/educational equivalent of arm floaties so they can swim.
I am dyslexic with numbers but have not been officially diagnosed. I was diagnosed with test-taking anxiety until I was an adult in college, my SATs and other standardized tests were awful. Although my grades in school were honor roll level, as long as I was given time to finish. Definitely, a question asker and find workarounds person too. It's tiring to work so hard to understand what seems to be easier for others. I see you and understand the struggles. Please keep sharing your experiences, it's nice to know not the only one.
I have ADHD which wasn't diagnosed until well after I dropped out of college. I struggled hard and poured my little heart and soul into school work. It always felt like I had to do so much more effort then the other kids. Trying to write essays was brutal.
I don't know if its the ADHD or something else, numbers are my enemy. They absolutely get scrambled in my brain, regardless of how hard I try. Honestly Im still bitter none of the adults in my life thought that something might be amiss in that area. I tried and tried so hard to do math homework correctly. Dad would go over it and everything would all be wrong. Cue spending the entire night trying to get it right. A friend in school who helped me with math homework told me years later, she was surprised how when talking, I seemed to understand the concepts, yet I couldn't get the numbers on paper to behave. I still struggle with basic addition.
Regarding the ADHD, adderall has been life changing. I can **just do stuff**. I'm no longer as much of a slave to the ADHD as before. It's still there, but a lot easier to steer and manage.
My heart goes out to all kids and adults who struggle without diagnoses and knowledge that they have ADHD, dyslexia, ect.
I'm so glad I found your channel. You are such a blessing in so many ways!
It's important for neurotypical ppl to understand that the rest of us aren't abnormal and odd. I'm autistic, so to an extent I get your situations and can even empathise with them. I also went to a special needs school until I started going to a mainstream college, so I never quite experienced all the negative things, even ableism, that others in mainstream schools did. But I still got it all from my family.
I’m currently in the process of trying to get a late diagnosis for dyspraxia. I had the exact same experience in school! “She needs to apply herself.” “Book up her ideas.” Etc etc etc. For someone who loves history, I really struggle with dates, comprehending timelines and names. I work in museums and tbh I feel really embarrassed and stupid around colleagues when I struggle to grasp this information. This video is a huge help! And gives me a lot of hope x x
It’s actually made my a bit teary because my school exp influenced me to choose fe based on most practical work and now I find myself not doing what I love. I’m so happy you had a supportive family around you :)
You are telling my story. Except for the supportive parents. I started grade school in 1964, I don't believe teachers knew what dyslexia was or how to deal with it. I was diagnosed in college in 1980. buy that time I had figured out how to run my life without the help of professionals. I was told not to go to college, I would never succeed. I decided I was going anyway and without the support of anybody, I now have a Bachelors degree in Environmental Biology and Bachelors in Psychology. I went on and got my Master's Degree in Psychology. I still get left and right confused, and do a lot of turning around, my husband understands and he just says, no Faith your other left. LOL
I am so glad that you referred us back to this video from 10 Dec 2021. It gave me insight into my brother's problems. I think that you, like my brother must have above-average intelligence to have accomplished all that you did before your diagnosis. My brother was born in 1958 and no one had even heard of dyslexia when he went to school.
I have, based on symptoms dyspraxia, dyscalcula and probably dyslexia. It's so generous of you to share. You present superbly. It's reassuring
Thank you for making this- I have dyspraxia (which has a huge overlap and is co-morbid with dyslexia), and I have very similar experiences (I still can’t read an analogue clock to this day). I also wasn’t diagnosed until adulthood, although it was thankfully in my second year of A Levels at 18. Like you, I’m very passionate about history and literature, as well as history of art and history of fashion, and would eventually like to do a PhD in the latter.
I’ve really struggled with my mental health, and this has unfortunately affected my capacity to deal with the dyspraxia, meaning I had to quit my first BA in early 2019. This year, after 18 months of rest and therapy, I’ve managed to start a new BA at the age of 23, so I’m finally back on the road to realising my dreams!
Congratulations Dr. Kat on all your remarkable achievements! You are one strong lady that didn't give up. I love that you named your channel' READING the Past' and I'm so glad I found it. You have a wonderfully different way of looking at history and making it exciting. Thank you so much!
I so happy that you have made this video, I have dyslexia I was diagnosed early in primary school thanks to my mother insisting I get assessed as my brother had been diagnosed late. I love history I always have and I watch a tone of history videos and documentaries. When in high school I did history up until GCSE, my history teacher was good but I didn’t think she totally understood dyslexia, on my tests and course work she would wright (A) but D for spelling and handwriting. I really wanted to do history for GCSE as I was so interested in it however when I was in a parent teacher meeting my history teacher told me I should absolutely not do GCSE history and that because I was dyslexic I wouldn’t be able to handle doing a subject like history. I was devastated and annoyed as I knew I could do it, however I just felt so disheartened I ended up picking a different subject. I got my GCSEs and did really well in my A levels but it still bugs me that I didn’t believe in myself and let the teacher tell me what I was capable off. I didn’t go to university and I think part of my choice not to go was because I believed that I truly wasn’t capable even though I did well in my A levels. I wish then I had believe I’m myself as I now know I am capable of anything I want to do and maybe some day when my baby is older I will go back and go to university hopefully to do something in history or religion. You are a real inspiration. Thank you.
I am so thankful for this video not because I have dyslexia myself but because one of the students I tutor quite possibly has dyslexia. I was told by her parents that she was lazy and hard to work with. What I found was the complete opposite. She was very cooperative and she does everything I ask her to but she still make weird and baffling mistakes. I was thinking: she’s working hard and seems to get it at times but why does she fail tests so often and make incomprehensible mistakes even in her native language (Cantonese)? Then, my mother told me that she could have dyslexia. Now rather than being frustrated with her supposed laziness, I have so much sympathy for her. She genuinely dislikes school and whenever she says “ I don’t wanna go back to school”, it’s heartbreaking because I know if she gets the help she needs, she will excel. But even after explaining to her parents the situation, they refuse to take her to take the test. I cannot believe how disheartening it is for her to be told she doesn’t try hard enough when she’s done all she could every. single. day. It’s so incredibly damaging to her self-esteem. It doesn’t just affect her academic results. Parents would rather have their children be “lazy” or “stupid” than be dyslexic. It really speaks how stigmatised dyslexia is. She just learns differently. How educational system is so unforgiving to those who think differently. I hope her parents come around and accept that she’s just different
I've loved your videos and often indulge in them during my working day. This video in particular I believe is my absolute favorite for all the personal charm, honesty, and hope it brings to the topic. That you are self-aware and (like myself and so many other women) suffer imposter syndrome, I applaud you for owing your success to the perseverance and resiliency that your struggles have brought to bear. I truly admire you and the content you produce. Good for you and great wishes for continued success!
So much of your story hurt my heart. I've heard people, that should know better, call my niece lazy despite her official diagnosis. It's hard to undo that negative talk.
I'm grateful to you for telling your story (even though I found it a year later.)
Thank you so much for sharing. I have an in-law who has some kind of attention deficit and has had a hard and burdensome time from school and through years of work... thank you for your encouragement. G Ire
P.S.your comprehension, assimilation and explanation of argument is completely flowing, frank and engaging. You have a great great talent. God bless
I know what your experiences feel like. I got to the point where I would do an exam and think the worst. Feeling a fraud, yes, I am undiagnosed.dyslexia made things beyond my reach. I can’t put what is in my head on a sheet of paper. But I had to work harder. I always said to people, I do things differently to come out with the desired result. Thank you so very much. I’m not alone.
I have dyslexia and was diagnosed when I was 11. My schools policy was to take dyslexic students out of lessons that were deamed 'non essential' to have dyslexia support lessons. I was taken out of music lessons, which was the only lessons I was actually getting good grades in .
Wow! exactly what happened to my early life. You are not alone in what you have to say. Was told that I was a useless student, in front of my class, I was 15. I felt stupid, tried not to apply myself, I actually felt so useless, stupid I attempted Suicide at 16, oddly having dyslexia saved me as I could not completely understand what was written on the container of slug repellant, and I got violently ill but not the needed dose to kill. I first found out about this learning impairment when I was 19, my life did not turn the best it could of.
Hello Dr. Kat!
I discovered your channel only very recently and have enjoyed listening to the information shared. You really are very good at expressing yourself in a clear and engaging manner. And when you bring forward ideas to challenge preconceived notions, you always do so in a fair and respectful way. Kudos for that! :D
I was very surprised when I came across this particular video. I never would have guessed this about you! But more importantly, I was really touched by your story. I saw many parallels in it with my own story, only I wasn't able to finish my bachelor's degree because the panic attacks before exams and in-class essay writing had brought me to the brink of exhaustion and nervous breakdown.
I found out I was dyslexic about two years after dropping out of university (sometime around 2007). I had heard the term dyslexia before, but only in the context of extreme cases of people who because of it could barely read or write. In an effort to better understand this condition, I did some internet searches and two or three summary online tests, and came to the conclusion that I must be dyslexic and that's what had always been holding me back academically. And like you, knowing this helped me to feel like I could get a better grip on what was happening and that, ironically, having a name for the reading and writing challenges I had to face actually helped me to remove some of the self-blame of not being good enough no matter how hard I tried.
Your story is very inspiring and I'm sure it'll help others to better understand themselves. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work! Looking forward to many more insightful, knowledgeable and thought provoking videos from you! ^_^
I wish I could give a million thumbs up! And thank you for all the interesting videos you’re publishing. Lots of love from Sweden!
In word the Read Outloud function is now a total lifesaver
Hi Kat, just discovered you, l have always had an interest in history. I too am a dyslexic. Struggled all my life with studying. It felt l had to work twice as hard as everybody else, to keep.
I had a career in nursing. I soon discovered lectures l took on board knowledge really well. But reading technical stuff, l had to re-read all the time. Hated it. It was interesting to find out towards the end of my career, just how many nurses are dyslexic. It's talked about more these days. Love your channel, very interesting.
Your experience with having dyslexia is very similar to mine, except , I wasn't called lazy I was called stupid. Again thankfully my parents were very supportive. I decided I was going to university if for no other reason then to prove those teachers wrong. Thank you for sharing your story!!
Thank you for sharing your journey w us - cannot imagine how harrowing your childhood educational experience was and am so glad you have had a strong support system, from family to friends to Jamie! My own challenges - admittedly quite minor in comparison - stem from having been forced from left- and into right-handedness prior to beginning schooling.
I work in education and evaluate students for dyslexia. I work hard to educate parents, students, and teachers of what it is to be dyslexic and what is necessary for my students to be successful. Often very bright students are able to mask the symptoms as they work so very hard (much harder than their peers). I have diagnosed students as late as sixth grade! I am glad you continued to pursue your education and also look for diagnosis so late in your educational career. Thank you for talking openly about your challenges. Awareness is necessary!
I truly enjoy all of your videos and always find that I learn something. You have shown me just how strong and determined that you are and now I am even more impressed with you. Keep doing the wonderful work that you are doing and congrats on your 100k following,. I was with you live!
Thank you Dr Kat. Your story touched my heart. My struggles with school were very similar to yours. However I was diagnosed by a specialist in 3rd grade but my school didn’t know how to help me so they put me in classes with the severely handicap and disabled children, I didn’t actually learn how to read until I was in my 4th grade year. They took my learning disability as a full on disability and that held me back rather then helped. My school life was extremely hard and I barely made it out. I’ve always dreamed of getting a degree but In the back of my mind I know how hard that path would be and I let it hold me back. I have hope someday I may give it a shot because I’m a fighter. I’m a mom and wife now And fortunately My husbands career supports us okay but I do always think about how much better financially we could be doing if I was able to obtain a degree. I’m also finding myself struggling a lot with helping my children with their classes. Especially since all three are homeschooled now due to the pandemic. They are smart kids much more then I was at their ages and they actually have taught me a lot. Basically I just wanted to thank you for telling your story I’ve been a subscriber of yours for about 8 months now and I would have never guessed you struggled academically. I listen to you at bedtime most nights your voice is so soothing and I learn so much from you about history that I love sharing with everyone. But Today I was listening while I was doing my morning house chores and I had to completely stop and listen to your whole video because I was so taken aback that you struggled with dyslexia. You are so educated and so smart I almost didn’t believe what I was hearing. Thank you for telling your story it really truly touched me today. You are an inspiration to me.
Thank you for sharing this video! This sounds like my life story too! I discovered I was dyslexic when I was at university too! I did a degree in History too I wish I had gone on to do a masters! I was very upset when I was diagnosed with dyslexia but it led to me having extra time in exams and I was able to get hold of recordings of books. I am now a primary school teacher who is passionate at helping young children to read!
From Alabama USA I really enjoy your videos. So sorry you had such a hard time in school. I admire you for how well you have done.
Thank goodness for all of our differently working brains! You have learned to work around your issues and now you share your knowledge on TH-cam. My anxious brain races around and I keep it busy with your videos on TH-cam so the rest of my brain can do my work. How boring life would be if we all thought and learned the same. How much would be missed if we all looked at problems in the same way? Thank you for being you and for sharing your story.
I'm 65 years old, and think I may be dyslexic as well. I've always had difficulty with left and right, and have always felt directionally challenged. I sometimes read words on the page that are not there, or mis-read words, but am sure that is what I saw. It's been really embarrassing and annoying when I'm shown to be mistaken, especially when I was at work (prior to retirement). I was slow to learn to read, and am still a slow reader. Mixing up numbers is sometimes an issue for me, but usually, I'm better with numbers than with words. And, I can relate to what you called imposter syndrome.
My son was born. In CA USA. In 1978. He was skate at about 9. School was stressful some tea hers helped. Son did not if not for the help of a teachers aide he wouldn't have graduated High School. But he did. Then he was able to join the Army. He became a Green Beret. -special forces. Only 15% of those who apply pass not easy life but worthwhile
Thank you for sharing Dr Kat! I was not expecting so much of that to resonate, but wow did it ever. I knew I had a few mild symptoms of dyslexia but thinking back to struggles with spelling and times tables and sheet music and non-English languages… I am starting to get deeply curious.
You are an inspiration, Dr. Kat, and so are your parents. When you were talking about how your life might have been had you been diagnosed at an early age, I thought that you can’t change the past (only read it 😊). Maybe dyslexia has, in the long run, put you in a good place. I only mean this in a positive way. Love your channel and so enjoy listening to you.
Thank you very much for sharing your story. You are a example to follow. I admire you very much and I love your channel.
Thank you SOOOO much for this! I am going to get myself assessed after seeing this.
Thank you for sharing your story. My daughter has some learning challenges in school and she has some trouble with self confidence and self esteem. As a result she is quick to give up. She’s so bright and thinks in ways that are so wonderful.
My husband and his identical twin both have dyslexia. My husband is a system engineer and writes code for a living, has a master’s degree, and is a licensed pilot. His brother is a web developer. They are both so smart! But they both had some rotten teachers. In my husband’s senior year of college, he had an English professor who was just so badgering. No matter how many times he asked for help, she just tore him down. She wrote the nastiest remarks on his papers. He failed the course by 3 points, and he had so much anxiety that he would have to repeat it. The professor sent him the snottiest email telling him she was giving him the 3 points to pass just so she would never have to teach him again. I say all this to say some things are harder for dyslexic people, but they can still do great in life.
So sorry to hear your spouse had such a miserable instructor at university. (Who was perhaps jealous of what she recognized as an intellect superior to her own.) Rest assured: karma has a long memory and an even longer arm, plus it sounds as if he's done much better for himself that she ever did! 👍🏼 😁
We know there's something going on with our son. We've been told he is not dyslexic but there's something. His artwork at 12 looks like it's made by a kid in grade 2. But he works at grade level. He can't hardly do handwriting but uses a computer instead. He has exams orally and extra time to do assignments. He's turned into a good piano player, which he started to help hand-eye coordination. He has a great sense of humor and loves comedy. So we will always support him and keep looking for ways to help.
Dyspraxia seems likely as that is a disability that affects coordination particularly fine motor coordination. The other thing to do is get an independent assessment if possible. When I was about the age of your son my mother was told that I couldn’t be dyslexic by the headmaster of my primary school because my reading was age normal. When I was assessed by the dyslexia association the same year they concluded that my reading age should have been 3 or 4 years in advance of age and diagnosed dyslexia on the basis of all the other evidence they had. I have since been through 2 different adult diagnostic tests both of which have confirmed the diagnosis and the second added a diagnosis of dyspraxia.
Only accept “no” if it was the result of proper diagnostic testing not the absence of some symptom which your son is not showing due to a coping strategy.
Thank you. This is insightful as my niece has been have major difficulties in her studies. Greetings from the States 😊
It’s great to hear you’re dyslexic story it’s something that I can relate to you a lot because I am also dyslexic to think that last year this time I was just starting my Pgce course to become a teacher and now I am a qualified teacher which is something that I’ve been told by people who have I met in my life that due to my dyslexia I couldn’t do , well looks like they were wrong
You are very knowledgeable and articulate. I enjoy your videos.
Hi dear Dr Kat. You are even greater than you used to look... Thank you for sharing your painful experience. 💞👍
Thank you. ❤ (I hope that teacher who dismissed you with his ableist bigotry sees your channel.)