Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity what does that mean to me,
overwhelming failure and pain.
Dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD
I will never be the same
as those children around me,
those that thrive,
those that spell,
those that read and retain
will there ever be an end
to my strife, my thinking,
which is unique in a system just not ready for change.
For I speak, but not heard
then I shout and disturb
and get detentions once again
Then I just stop
and I close
and I leave, yes, I leave school with
nothing at all.
I could actually leave my book right here, quite dramatically and pretty negative. But there is, I am glad to say, a little more that I would like to share.
The work I do now is good, it is fulfilling work and it means something to me, I am passionate about what I do, maybe more so due to my own harsh difficulties throughout my schooling and education. I teach children and I assess children, young people and adults. I support young learners and their families as the somewhat daunting world of neurodiversity is explored and navigated.
Yes, my work means something to me, it means a great deal and I hope to others too. One of my working roles involves teaching and assessing on a level 5 specialist teacher’s course. The course is designed for those teachers wanting to become specialist teachers of dyslexia. In an ideal world, this course should not even need to exist at all. All teachers should surely be trained to be specialist teachers of children with dyslexia. If we get it right for children with dyslexia, we get it right for the majority of children.
So, I continue to work, to teach and to train. My new website dast.info is focused on assessing, supporting and training in dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, DCD and autism. I offer informal parental workshops for small groups of parents needing to find out more about dyslexia, dyscalculia or ADHD and how they can best support their children’s learning.
I also assess on a level 3 course in neurodivergent strategy coaching to assist and support those in the workplace. I offer training in the workplace to look at reasonable adjustments that can make such a difference. I go into people’s home offices and workspaces and guide them through making their place of work feel more comfortable and more accessible and effective for them. I will continue to use my past experiences for good and positive outcomes.
So that’s it, my dyslexic education, complete? Well classroom learning is certainly something I will not be returning to. I have continued to engage in online learning for professional educational development and in order to uphold my assessment practicing certificate (my APC). Assessors need to keep up to date with all things dyslexia and dyscalculia as things change and develop so often. I have also done online learning for my beauty business when becoming qualified to offer massages, reflexology and facials etc. I find on option to be able to learn online a good one for me. It is easily accessible, one can pause, make notes, repeat viewing etc and learn at one’s own pace.
I am going back to revisit both my primary schools in a few days time! I know, why on earth would I actually want to do that? I’m also hoping to include a visit to my high school In writing this book, many memories have come to mind of my early school days so I would like to expand in these and see if they can be added to. When speaking with a lady to arrange the visit to the first school, I felt myself getting emotional so goodness knows what will happen when I’m actually in the building. I am hoping to gain more memories, yes some maybe unpleasant but I feel it will all be helpful in some way. There may well be happier memories that are also buried within my mind, memories that would be good to revisit and explore for the first time in 50 years. I’m expecting a slight overload of senses when I do return, the sight, smells, and feel of the building will all be heightened I think. It’s often the case of course that buildings previous huge to someone so young will very likely seem so small now. I was a very young child when last in both buildings so I’m sure this will be the case for me. I have many questions and I really hope that nothing has changed, or do I? Is it not better to see a development if these buildings both inside and out? For development and progress is usually a good thing. Often things change for the better and I really do hope this is the case. I’m not always a great fan of change, particularly if it needs me to make large adjustments to written work for example the full diagnostic reports that I write. Every few years the format and structure will change and I need to consider all over again the laying out and inclusion or deletion of particular elements and section. We need change in our lives in order to continue to thrive and further develop but change can be daunting and scary especially when one is so comfortable with the status quo. However change is sometimes so needed and this need must not be underestimated. I feel so much needs to change in our schools, from primary upwards, the complete re-think of formal examinations, the need for continued training in order to meet a seemingly ever widening range of needs including of course dyslexia. I looked up the definition of ‘going back’ and read it includes returning to a previous place, time, activity, or state of being. I was particularly intrigued by the state of being. Wherever we are in life we are in a state of being aren’t we? Memories of my own state of being are very negative and dark and I think I am maybe hoping that my state of being when I do actually re-enter the two buildings for the first time in 55 years will be very positive and happy. I feel re-visiting past experience can be a positive and cathartic experience. Many positives can be gained from going back and I’m hoping it will remind me once again just how far I have actually come in life. From humble beginnings, extremely difficult school and college experiences to eventually finding my place as a teacher, especially a teacher of those with dyslexia or other specific learning differences. Anyway I will share more thoughts on my return from the schools. I will go and check I have enough tissues in my bag and a notebook in order to write down any thoughts for further inclusion in the next few pages but in the meantime, the next poem reflects my thoughts prior to the visits.
Looking forward to going back
I’m visiting my old primary schools,
yes can you believe it’s true
Why would I want to re-visit
The places where all was not good.
I want to see them again, to walk in their classrooms and halls
to see, to smell, to remember
a time that has gone before.
I’m hoping it’s good and positive and true
I’m hoping that change will be seen
I’m hoping I feel a sense of relief that
not all is at it had been for me a child of the 70’s
for now I hope to see smiles,
on the faces of children and teachers
children happy and engaged,
enjoying their day of learning and
getting along with friends
with challenges needed to extend their minds
and fun and happiness with no end.
