What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a language-processing disorder that affects all 4 areas of Language - Speaking it, Spelling it, Reading it & Writing it.  It also affects memorization of rote facts and impacts directionality - such as top, middle, bottom, left vs right.  It is hereditary in nature.

Researched-based Definition: 

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin.

It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition, and by poor spelling and decoding abilities.

These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is

often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom

instruction.

Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

National Institute of Health

Statistics: 

20% of the entire world population is Dyslexic

     That's 1 in 5 people, or 6 students in every classroom!

97% of Dyslexic individuals have dysgraphia

60% of Dyslexic individuals have ADD/ADHD

30% of Dyslexic individuals have no issues with reading (but comprehension, written expression and spelling are not learned with ease)

15% of Dyslexic individuals are unable to begin Orton-Gillingham or Structured Word/Reading system due to the profoundness of their Dyslexia.

Dyslexia is on a continuum, not a spectrum.  Some individuals have "Mild Dyslexia" that might not ever be evident in general school settings.  Those individuals might experience reversals in letters from time to time.  Particularly when tired, stressed or not feeling well.  Moderate, Severe and Profound are the other pitstops on the Dyslexia Continuum. 

Dyslexia can be detected as early as 12 months depending on the severity.  Children as young as 4 can be accurately assessed and diagnosed with Dyslexia.  There's no need to wait until your child is failing in 2nd, 3rd, 4th grade or beyond to find out why your bright child is struggling so much in school and their self esteem is in the toilet!

Dyslexia is the most researched Learning Disability...of ALL TIMES!  Researchers and Scientists have discovered that Dyslexia is 100% hereditary and is located on 3 chromosomes:

6- Phonemic Awareness, 1-Visual Memory for Words and 15-Rapid Naming.  Not all individuals with Dyslexia have chromosome 15 involved.  But those who do, have issues with rapid naming and word retrieval.

Additionally, there are physical brain differences.  A neuro-typical (NT) brain has a right hemisphere that is 10% smaller than the left all the way around its side.  However, a Dyslexic brain's right hemisphere is exactly the same as their left.  Not because the left side is smaller, but because the right side is larger than an NT's right hemisphere.  That means a Dyslexic brain is 10% larger than an NT's brain.

Maverick's mission is to academically support and instruct gifted and capable Students, specializing in individuals with Dyslexia.

For over 10 years, Maverick has been committed to our students' success. That's why we offer individualized instruction in small learning POD settings as well as one-on-one Dyslexia Specialist sessions within our school environment.  Specifically working with a student's skill strengths and weaknesses allows Maverick to improve both and close the gap(s) in the necessary areas.

We believe that high-quality education should be accessible to everyone. That's why we offer competitive tuition costs and flexible payment options to help your Maverick achieve their educational goals.

Our Instructors and Dyslexia Specialists are experienced educators who are passionate about the success of their students and how to achieve optimum instruction for the individual. They bring their expertise and enthusiasm to every lesson, helping our Mavericks achieve their full potential.

Contact us at 559-431-7446 to schedule an observation!

So many myths are out there about Dyslexia! 

People with Dyslexia read "backwards!"

...NOPE.  We process sound in an odd way due to our lack of Phonemic Awareness.  The best way to describe it is from an old English Vickers tasked to teach a young boy in his congregation how to read. "It seems as if the young boy is word blind..."  "Word Blind" - That is the most accurate description!  Nothing wrong with our eyes, but task us with reading... and our brains don't seem to get it the way most others do.

"Dyslexic people are dumb."

Actually, No...on average, Dyslexic individuals have higher IQ's than non-Dyslexic individuals. 

In 2007 a study showed that 35% of entrepreneurs/CEO's in the U.S. showed significant signs of Dyslexia.  And 20% in Britain.

50% of NASA's employees are Dyslexic

Dyslexia was once deemed the "MIT Disease"

A few highly successful Dyslexics: Sir Richard Branson, Charles Schwab, Walt Disney, Erin Brockovich, Thomas Edison, Keira Knightley, Daymond Jay (Shark Tank), Barbara Corcoran (Shark Tank), Kevin O'Leary (Shark Tank), Henry Winkler (The Fonz"), Orlando Bloom, and the list goes on!

"Dyslexics could never make it in college or at a University."

Untrue...! Many Dyslexic individuals attend and graduate from all different sorts of colleges and universities.  BUT...many individuals with Dyslexia, known or unknown, find that trade schools and trade crafts suit our 3-D capable minds much better than "more book learning".  Dyslexics excel at hands-on work such as: designing, creating, building, fixing and repairing, assembling, performing, composing, organizing and leading with the "Big Picture" concept.

"I 'used' to have Dyslexia, but I outgrew it."

False - Because it is a physical brain difference and housed on our DNA in our chromosomes, you can't outrun Dyslexia. Individuals can overcome it, make it work for them, work around it and/or use it to make them the best ever.  "Dyslexic Thinking" is a huge positive skill.  

There's no medication, diet, exercise, meditation, positive think method or hypnotherapy that "makes you not Dyslexic".  You still are at your ripe old age, you've just learned how to do the thing... a different way...the Dyslexic Thinking way.

"They just need more practice reading out loud."

Reading out loud is "performance reading" and not helpful at all!  Dyslexic individuals can read!  But to read with proficiency and fluency, the Dyslexic brain must be taught differently than an "NT".  Our brains are wired differently and our ectopias (brain freeways), look like spaghetti compared to the NT's orderly ectopias.

Individuals with Dyslexia need to have very specific one-on-one sessions with a qualified/certified Dyslexia Specialist utilizing an Orton-Gillingham and/or Structured Word/Reading curriculum.  It does take time commitment and effort for the Individual, the Specialist and their loved ones.

NOTE: Choral or small group settings allows the Dyslexic to mask and hide their weaknesses with Phonemic Awareness.  One-on-One sessions is the true gold standard for fabulous success with Dyslexic individuals.

Contact Maverick with questions regarding Dyslexia and your child, your loved one or even yourself.  Call 559-431-7446