School-Home Support staff shared vital learnings and experiences in the session ‘Dyslexic Superpowers’
News article from December 16, 2022
For the month of November our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team hosted a highly interactive and informative workshop titled ‘Dyslexic Superpowers’, aiming to inform and challenge limiting beliefs and assumptions about dyslexic people – which is 1 in 5 students in a classroom.
The workshop focused on the innate gifts and skills that exist within a high percentage of dyslexic people. Thanks to Made by Dyslexia’s essential work we were able to share and reflect on some important statistics around dyslexic thinking skills:
- Visualising – 75% of dyslexics are above average at Visualising
- Imagining – 84% of dyslexics are above average at Imagining
- Communicating – 84% of dyslexics are above average at Imagining
- Reasoning – 84% of dyslexics are above average in Reasoning
- Connecting – 80% of dyslexics are above average at Connecting
- Exploring – 84% of dyslexics are above average at Exploring
In the session, School-Home Support staff who were not dyslexic were able to improve their own understanding of dyslexia, and hear directly from colleagues who are dyslexic themselves. In a safe and open space, staff were able to discuss and embrace the uniqueness of all individuals, and celebrate the characteristics that make us different.
All dyslexic individuals deserve the right to an education that embraces their unique talents, and supports them through their unique challenges too – challenges that can be extremely debilitating if not supported correctly.
At School-Home Support, our holistic approach aims to support children, families and schools to overcome any barriers to learning, and this can include advocating for dyslexic pupils and parents to get the right diagnosis and the right support.
During the session, some of our practitioners shared their thoughts on how the education system can support dyslexic children to flourish at school, and into their adult years.
“We need to find ways of bringing out the different strengths and capabilities of children and young people, rather than trying to fit everyone into a framework of ‘intelligence’ that doesn’t necessarily work for everyone.”
“Society’s perception of dyslexia, and the stigma and assumptions associated with it, should be challenged, so that we can properly appreciate all the amazing things a dyslexic brain can do.”
“It’s really important that children are screened as early as possible for dyslexia so that parents and teachers can best support them with their learning.”
Reflecting on the session, one of our practitioners said they wanted to start a ‘Superpower club’ for their dyslexic students – we think it’s a wonderful idea!
Equality, diversity and inclusion is extremely important at School-Home Support. Hosting workshops that challenge limiting beliefs and bring to light new empowering information is key to ensuring our staff are able to effectively empathise, understand and connect with all different types of people, especially those with protected characteristics. Learn more about our organisational commitment to EDI by reading our School-Home Support Diversity Statement here.