Answer: Yes and No
Many Dyslexics see letters moving on the page, but this is often caused by a mixture of stress and having an active visual brain. The more the person gets stressed the faster the letters move and may even fall on the floor. So 20 years ago we explored what happened if you helped them reduce their stress. The result was that the letters stopped moving – magic!
Highly visual people who are not dyslexic can do the same when very stressed, or when they encounter a new complicated word.
So how do you help them remove their stress. Here are some simple ways to start:
- Gently breath in and out through your nose right down into your belly, to create better relaxation.
- Pick up anything you are trying to read so you are looking up, like reading a newspaper. This will help you access your visual field and get you out of negative emotions associated with past experiences. Many people get an instant improvement by just moving the book.
- Make sure they start by reading something simple that they are really interested in, to build confidence, motivation and reduce anxiety
- If you have permission gently stroke their back (Havening technique) to create calm.
- Sit or stand in a quiet place away from distractions.
- Don’t ask them to read aloud as that creates performance anxiety. Read to the dog, cat or themselves, until their confidence grows.
Using colored overlays or tinted glasses help very severe cases, but first check out the list above and see what you can achieve – success will boost your self confidence. Please let us know your results and you are welcome to come back with questions.
My name is Olive Hickmott; I would be pleased to support you in any way I can.
You are welcome to contact me olive@empoweringlearning.co.uk
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My latest books are:
The Elephants in the Classroom: using every student’s natural power of Mental Imagery to enhance learning: Neurodiversity through the lens of mental Imagery.
Bridges to Success – How to transform Learning Difficulties
Recover Your energy– this book will energise you
You too can do health
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Olivehickmott 