Dyslexia- school

My teachers thought it was a phase that I would grow out of, but that wasn't the case. My mother knew that there was more to it, and asked for me to be tested, and in year 5 of primary school I was diagnosed with dyslexia.

Having dyslexia in primary school wasn't that bad, there were small classes so I could have a little more time with my teachers, the work load wasn't massive and I was able to take my time. However I did still have my fair share of problems. 

In year 6 I had a teacher who didn't fully understand my dyslexia. To talk to I was a fairly smart child, I could talk for the country, but being able to put the stuff in my mind down on paper was very difficult. 

My teacher in year 6 didn't understand that I learnt in different ways to the other children in my class and that I had to put things in my own way, which meant we had a few disagreements. 

One of the biggest falling outs I remember having with this teacher was when he wanted to keep me in at lunch time as I didn't pass our weekly spelling test. When he asked if I had learnt the spellings, I told him "yes I learnt them this morning", as my memory wasn't brilliant I would have to learn my spellings on the way to school so that they were fresh in my mind ready for the test, but my teacher didn't think this was a good idea, that I hadn't given myself time to learn them and that was lazy and the reason that I didn't do well, and when I didn't see it fair for him to keep me in on that lunch time he wasn't happy.

Going into secondary school things changed, classes were bigger, there was more work and things moved at a faster pace which meant my dyslexia definitely got in my way. 

A few times a week I got pulled out of classes to be able to work in a small group and look at different ways to battle my dyslexia, but these little group session caused me a few issues. The group work was amazing, there were three of us in the group and we all got along, and the work we used to do really helped but the way the other students reacted to us getting pulled out of classes wasn't great. Now I'm sure everyone gets bullied at some point in their lives and my bully experience came in school due to dyslexia. So I didn't get beaten up or bullied in a physical manner but words can hurt to. I got called stuipd so many times because of my dyslexia, but thanks to my amazing friends who stood up for me the bully's soon gave up on me. 

In exam season in secondary school I was allowed extra time to compleat the exams, which again caused me a few problems. Some people didn't think it was fair for me and the other dyslexics to have extra time and they looked at it as cheating as we were all sitting the same exam, but we were allowed more time to compleat it. Now this wasn't the case, it was in no way cheating, having dyslexia means that I do happen to read slower, write slower and also being able to move the answers from my head on to paper took time. But most of the time I didn't use the extra time as I didn't need it, which was always a good feeling, as it kinda showed that even though I had dyslexia I didn't need no special treatment.

Growing up with dyslexia wasn't all bad, yes I got bullied for a little while, and I often felt left out as I couldn't do things in lessons that the others could, but dyslexia made me who I am. 

It's made me unique, I look at things in a different way to others, which has often gave me a step up in situations.

 I've learnt to love my dyslexia and all that comes with it, people can make any comment they want about dyslexics and it wouldn't bother me any more, as I know that I am smart in my own way, I make it work for me because it's who I am.

Until next time, see you later alligator.

- Kate.