B or D

Yesterday, right after Sahur Ms T continued doing her homework but this time with the Dad... Recently she got to choose with whom she wants to help her with either school or the dyslexia school's homework. I was merely the observer, watching them doing the additions of _ + 2 = 6. She was quick at understand the concept. My feeling? Relieved.

Next was my turn. Ms T has no option but to do English with me. What is the use of me, an English teacher of an international uni if she doesn't want me? My expertise has to be taken advantage of. So we did it...

What's written:

The bad cat hit the six pigs. 

What Ms T read:

The dab cat hit the six pigs....

I know! I was proud of her getting the 6 words correct. The point is: she is still struggling with her 'b' and 'd'... She's getting there.

That is not the only thing she is struggling with. Had a short chat with her tuition Teacher T yesterday. Ms T according to Teacher T, is struggling with her confidence. I think she is getting there too....It isn't easy not to be dyslexic as it is not easy to be poor or to live in a war zone. Everyone has his or her own battle to fight. Ms T has dyslexia and I have my stupidity. What else can I say?

Moldy Peaches - Anyone Else But You w/ Lyrics

For Ms T's sake- Part 1

Last Sunday I attended a Dyslexia Seminar: Helping Parents Help Their Children. I am a parent and Ms T is dyslexic.. so I went. My expectation was very low but it was proven wrong even while listening to the first talk by Prof. Dr. Zabidi, a paediatrician from USM. I guess it would only be fair if I shared what I have gathered and understood from the talks given not only by the mentioned professor of neurology and kids specialist but also a senior lecturer, Mr. Jambunathan from Monash University Sunway Campus and none other than the one and only Puan Sariah Amirin, the President of Dyslexia Association of Malaysia (she was my ward mate in Ampang Puteri... another story to tell later).

The first talk on Overview of Dyslexia : An informative ONE!

I got very useful input on understanding dyslexia from the root. The first point: He said that the womb is the safest place in the whole wide world (which I am exaggerating) so that the brain of the baby is safe even if the mother falls on her buttocks 2 or 3 times during the pregnancy. I had in mind before that I could be causing Ms T her dyslexia because I did fall on my big ass 2 to 3 times when I was pregnant with her.

Secondly, he mentioned about how the cells in our brains are pruned. Like the way the university gardener prunes the bushes to make them look pretty. However, the pruned cells are then grown back by the help of some elements that I don't remember the names.

He also talked about some other things that were worth remembering and like a studious student, I was taking notes some suggestions on how to assist Ms T to be better at reading and to have more vocabulary. Might as well writing this is point form:

1. overstimulate Ms. T's brain with words and pictures. Always ask her to name the items she sees everyday. Dyslexic kids forget easily... I guess the pruning of the cells happens so fast!

2. overwhelm the senses by reading aloud to her. She picks up words from what she hears... instead of reading in my own room by myself, I now should go to her room and read aloud what I have let it be Dicken's Great Expectation or Botton's Status Anxiety.

3. use facial expressions when communicating with Ms T and also Ms N. Kids, according to him respond to facial expressions and eye contacts more than words. It is no use if I tell the girls to hang their towels at the towel hangers if I am yelling from the kitchen where they can't see me. The best way is to go close to them, hold their shoulders lovingly and make sure their eyes meet my eyes so that what I say will be more meaningful to them  and the order will be more effective.

One last important message from The Kids Doctore is there is no magic solution. Psychological support is important and I have to remember that depression can fail even a child who doesn't have dyslexia. I feel relieved that I have learned some new things about dyslexia that helps me to understand Ms. T better. The second part will posted when the time comes... (can't write when potty calls)

Dyslexia

I read two entries from two new blogs I discovered with the help from Win my friend who now resides in the states. My reading materials have the same theme since 2010. Miss T is dyslexic and she requires extra TLC. This mother is struggling because she is not used to having too much difficulties and challenges. Raising a dyslexic isn't easy. I am not an easy person myself.

Being an English teacher, I love teaching young adults how to read and write. Not to leave speaking and listening behind but to read and write are the two skills that I enjoy teaching the most. Who would have thought I would face challenges in teaching my own daughter Miss T how to read and write? So, the story begins.....

Is it all about me?

No.. it is not! I haven't been writing here or anywhere else. My girl has started schooling. Main stream school. Will she survive? I pray she will.