I was diagnosed with dyslexia at 6 years old. I didn’t learn how to read until I was 11 years old in 4th grade. My handwriting is still practically illegible.

Here is my advice to anyone who has a child with this type of problem.

Buy them a computer… (paraphrase get them interested in something)

I was 11 when I convinced my father that we needed one. After all, I wouldn’t have to worry about spelling or my handwriting if we had one. That was back in 86′.

In my professional life as an adult, I am an avid reader and have worked for IBM Global Services as a consultant in the computer industry, UPS in the computer industry and Sage Software. All because I thought it was cool that I could make a computer do neat things if I typed the right things on a keyboard.

By the way, the computer always gave me positive feedback.

So was it the computer or just something that I took an interest in… I don’t know but I recommend finding out what your kid’s interests are and integrating learning with their interest. See what they can do. I promise they will surprise you. For that matter find out what your interests are. Understand what you enjoy doing and take the steps necessary to do it.

My 5-year-old daughter with Cerebral Palsy manages to surprise me every day just by keeping her working on the things she is interested in.

Most recently Hanna Montana. She and I dance to it all the time. WOW, Physical Therapy is FUN.