Homeschooling a dyslexic child might seem daunting—but knowledge is power, as the saying goes. Today on Home School Heartbeat, Susan Barton joins host Mike Smith to help you understand dyslexia.
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Mike Smith:
Susan Barton, an expert on dyslexia and developer of the Barton Reading and Spelling System, joins us again today. Susan, could you explain for us what is actually happening in the brain of a dyslexic student?
Susan Barton:
Sure. Children with dyslexia have a different brain structure. Their right hemisphere is actually larger than most people’s, and they have different nerve pathways in the language processing part of their brain. And I love to share with people that their right hemisphere is larger than most people’s, because it explains why they’re so gifted in skills controlled by the right side of their brain. So yes they struggle with reading, writing, spelling, but they’ll be better than their peers in either artistic ability, athletic ability, music, mechanical ability. Their people skills are outstanding. Superb three-dimensional visual-spatial skills, a vivid imagination, an incredibly accurate sense of intuition. And the most creative, global thinkers you’ve ever seen.
Mike:
Wow, Susan, thanks for bringing your expertise to our listeners today! Now, next time, we’ll talk about how parents can help get their dyslexic student up to speed in both writing and reading. And until then, I’m Mike Smith.
