to expect better treatment of my dyslexic ds at summer drama camp

[birdinatent]

I sent my ds to a Bugsy Malone drama week today, Its the first time hes done anything like this but he loves the film and wanted to give it a try. As he is VERY dyslexic and so very uptight about reading out loud, especially when put on the spot and not given time to prepare, I rang them a couple of weeks ago to point this out and ask whether this was likely to happen on the first day.

I was assured that no child would be put on the spot, and they had made a note of his name so that they would make sure he wouldnt be put in this position.

So today, I get a phone call at lunchtime to say he feels ill and can someone pick him up. It turns out they handed out scripts to everyone and asked them all to read the narrators part......so that they could allocate the roles.....he tells me he was one of the last to read, and he managed about 10 words before he panicked and went blank....knowing how he reads normally, this was brilliant!

He cried on and off all afternoon, has had it confirmed to him once again, that he is stupid, and never ever wants to do anything like this again.

Is it so unreasonable to expect people to cut him a break now and again, I just wanted him to have a go at something completely different from school, where he fails endlessly, and maybe make a success of it, or at the very least enjoy himself. I am so sad for him

I don't think yabu. The company said that child would-be put on the spot and your son was. This is unacceptable.

I would make a written complaint tbh.

Knowing your son doesn't like reading out loud, on which planet did you think sending him to drama camp would be a good idea?

I am glad you are now receiving supportive and accurate responses. Earlier posters have NO clue. Drama is one of the best ways to build confidence, and there are many ways to introduce scripted work that doesn't rely on a cold (and mind-numbingly boring) read-through of the script. If your son doesn't want to go back I urge you to try and find somewhere better as I really think your son could benefit from drama classes. Sadly this class sounds very very unimaginative in their approach as there are so many ways to make plays/stories/etc come alive. I am so sorry he had to go through this, they really do sound shit. Definately ask for a refund
(I am a literacy teacher that relies heavily on dramatic arts)

Dolomitesdonkey maybe you are as unimaginative as the leaders of the drama camp?

Actually Dolomitesdonkey your post is very misguided and offensive. The OP's son doesn't just "dislike reading aloud". He is dyslexic. Would you be so flippant about other SEN's?

My ds is dyslexic, although he has mostly overcome his reading issues now (his writing is another matter) dd is a keen actor and has been to a few camps now as well as an after school club, and ds is joining her next term.

It's obviously very unfortunate that the organisers didn't say that there would be a fair amount of script reading involved, but given the nature of the camp with the Bugsy Malone theme it's possibly not that surprising, especially if there is a performance expected. I wonder if the organisers thought that simply by calling him last that would be sufficient preparation time?

dd's drama group did a play in two weeks this summer and all the casting had to be done on the first day and all the words learned for the performance so a child with significant reading problem might well have struggled. On the other hand the stage one week they run is mostly fun stuff with loads of improv, so ideal really. They are very up front about expectations though, and I thik that's fairly essential.

I'm sorry your ds feels rotten birdinatent, it's really horrible to see your child damning themselves for something they have zero control about especially when you thought he would have a fun time and gain some validation.

But the OP was assured no one would be put on the spot. Scripted plays do not have to be introduced cold. There are many ways to make a script accessible to all. I am sure the OP's son could have remembered his lines/performed in the play, but why would he have to read like that to get the part? Surely improvisation gives the teachers a better idea about which part would suit which participant?

The quality of summer camps vary massively. Both my DD have worked at them in university holidays. One, well run, professional. The other , this year, was completely shambolic and if I had been paying for a child to attend I would have been very upset about the poor management, safety issues, boring times because Managment hadn't ordered in enough equipment etc.
I'd have been particularly worried if my child had a health issue as there was very little briefing about allergies and other health issues.

Oh I agree that was bad, but it is possible that there was a misunderstanding, so the club may have just noted 'don't ask birdinatent's ds to read first' and thought that was a sufficient adjustment. Dyslexia is a relatively common disability but a lot of people really don't understand that it can be a very significant issue.

I remember my ds's scout group thinking I was making a fuss when I asked to be ds's writer for some quiz (we sorted it out and another parent wrote his answers down). They were amazed when he got every answer right, I just don't think they had a clue really.

To be fair I don't think he was put on the spot, as they ensured he was the last to read.

Perhaps you should have been more clear about how much preparation and time was needed, or if a recording would be better.

This type of thing tends to be fast paced and they may have not had experience of the level of dyslexia that your DS has.

Could you talk to them, and your DS?
Maybe he should keep at it and just be allowed to opt out of some things.

The narrator would probably be too much, but a smaller part could be manageable.
And I'd think drama classes also had lots of improv and body expression rather than simply reading.

I do think a careful talk with the camp organisers is in order, as well as your child.
Some dyslexics do really well because they don't give up. They find strategies to cope with it.
I'd be working on those with your son.

YANBU and it is sad that your son's confidence was further eroded - especially when you had contacted them in advance.
I am surprised that they went straight into a script - I would have expected them to have lots of 'getting to know you' exercises before they got anywhere near scripts. Lots of actors are self confident, but many are like a child that I know who is very shy but loses it once he has a character to play.
I would complain.
If is keen on acting is there anywhere he could go on a weekly basis to build up his confidence?
Meanwhile I would google the British Dyslexia Association and show him the list of famous people who are dyslexic- it will surprise you how many are in the public eye, actors, TV presenters etc. I think that would be a very worthwhile exercise to show him that he is not stupid- he was just unlucky to have been to a badly run drama camp.
I hope this link works the list

It does work so you don't need to google. I'm sure the list would help him.

Could you not present it to him as a massive misunderstanding by people who probably have little or no experience of dyslexia?

I maybe speaking out of turn here (and I have no experience of dyslexia) but I think you should encourage him to go back. If you don't, you are teaching him to walk away from the first sign of pressure, because of his dyslexia.

Could you not go back with him, and discuss the rest of the timetable with the organisers, what would be expected of him, the aspects of the course he will find lots of fun, and the range of roles available?

These activities should be accessible to all, but with the best will in the world it is hard for that to happen when the teachers do not have experience of the full range of SN. If he stays, he could be teaching them something too.

When you spoke on the phone, they reassured you he wouldn't be put on the spot. They had him speak last so he has longer to read the script and so he could hear others read it out loud so he could absorb it orally too.

I remember when I was young I was sent to a similar play in a week drama camp, only the play was The Wizard of Oz. I am very short, and was put into the younger Munchkin group, whilst all the other kids my age (and even some younger) were put into the older group. I was mortified!

Maybe best to give these things a miss, and if he is interested in drama send him to a proper group where the organisers will get to actually know the children properly, and can make reasonable adjustments for their special needs e.g. giving him the script in advance.

mumsy was the actress Kara Tointon?

My son is physically disabled and is a very keen actor and has performed in some large professional performances where his needs have ALWAYS been accommodated.

In one performance he fell on the night at the main actors feet and was distraught. He was sent home early and was crying all night to me saying how stupid he felt and how he was never going to go back again as he'd never be any good due to his disability.

I took him along the following day and brainstormed ideas with the producer as to how we could prevent this occurring again.

My son ended up performing again and finished the show with no further problems but if I'd have let him have his way he'd have quit there and then.

I can understand your sons embarrassment at being put on the spot like that but I'd really suggest you encourage him to go back and don't let this one occurrence beat him.

Explain in GRAPHIC detail to the providers what he can and can't do and really let them know the ins and outs of your sons dyslexia and what would cause him embarrassment etc.

Often people do try their best to accommodate different disabilities but without knowing fully what they should be doing they don't stand a chance.

I'd go speak to them and tell your son to just try one more day and see how he goes.

My son's confidence has increased massively since becoming involved in acting and he's gone from being a very unhappy, pessimistic and unconfident child to someone extremely confident and happy.

We've shown him that although he may need to go about things a different way to others in the performance- his disability is not a barrier whatsoever, just a challenge.

I think there were slightly unrealistic expectations on both sides here tbh.

They knew he was dyslexic so ensured he was not "put on the spot" in the sense of having to read something he had no time to prepare for.

But expecting to not be put on the spot in the sense of not expecting to have to say lines aloud at all would have been unrealistic when parts are allocated.

Both they and him should have talked this through and discussed how they were going to tackle it, probably by making sure he realised he was meant to work on the lines whilst the others were reading.

It sounds as if he is not only dyslexic but also shy and lacking in confidence. A drama week is possibly not the best thing for him as they tend to be quick and fast-paced. After all, they have to get somewhere by the end of the week.

If he is interested in drama, a nurturing weekly youth theatre or drama club is probably better. We have a lovely one locally, they cater for all abilities and all manner of SN and are very reassuring. Because it runs over the year they have time to get to know the pupils. Dd went there for years and it really boosted her confidence.

Encourage him to try something else. As exotic said, dyslexia shouldn't have to get in the way of acting.

Sorry to be posting again, but I just wanted to add, that as parents we know very well the ins and outs of our child's disability and what they can and cannot do and often just expect others to understand.

It sounds to me as though your sons drama group did actually listen to you and make a note of your sons dyslexia and thought that by allowing him to read last that was enough. Obviously is wasn't but I think that you need to let them know that and discuss what strategies you have for overcoming this. Like others above have suggested, he could learn the script from a recording or he could sit down with you on an evening and learn.

My son has cerebral palsy and often people just think that he can't walk very well and that's it but there's so much more to it, such as if he has a longer part, he gets too tired standing for a long amount of time and it can cause him lots of pain, so strategies are put in place so that he can sit down in-between performances and is on stage for short but frequent intervals rather than in one long go.

Also children with cerebral palsy often don't drink enough fluids, so I have to tell the company he must be encouraged to drink fluids, particularly when performing under the hot lights of the stage as he dehydrates too quickly and this makes him more tired.

Please encourage your son to try again and go to them yourself and explain in lots of detail exactly what your son needs and how you will overcome the problem of learning the script without him needing to read out loud and I'm certain they will do anything they can to accommodate him.

Good luck!

Sounds like a bit if a misunderstanding, the organisers might have thought that going last was enough time to prepare.

The type of camp with a performance at the end of it like this is bound to be pressured and (in my view!) less fun than a general drama group where they would do a lot more improv, movement etc.

I don't think your DS should quit. Go back, explain exactly what he can and can't do and how to work around his difficulties. He has nothing to be embarrassed about.

I'm quite dyslexic and after many years of help its pretty ok now all except my writing. I was on holiday a few weeks ago with friends and ended up writing the shopping list in front of everyone - quite embarrassing when you can't spell simple words!

Just read blueballoon's post about her son and couldn't agree more.

My dd is also physically disabled and has severe anxiety issues (=on medication). She is currently doing a slightly more pressurised drama summer programme. She had a panic attack in rehearsal the other night, probably because she got chilled during an outside rehearsal. She was very embarrassed, but she got back on stage the next morning.

It brought home to me how good drama has been for her in taking her out of her comfort zone and facing her with the possibility of failing and then getting up again. She may never realise her dreams of being an actress. But I am sure the habits it's giving her of picking herself up and facing embarrassement will stand her in good stead in later life.

But the drama club was just right for giving her the initial confidence.

YANBU, they did not support your son in the way they said they would

the actress was Kara

Agree with blueballoon and whois about going back to explain in more detail. If he manages to go back and his needs are accommodated, this will be a great experience for him. If he drops out, he will have bad memories about it.

I've also found the same as blueballoon, that I tend to take for granted that other people will understand what needs to be done to support my dd, because I've been living with her for all these years, so it's dead obvious to me. Of course, I say to myself, when I tell somebody that she has x problem they will understand that they need to do y and z.

It might not be so obvious to somebody who hasn't had our experience. Even the experience of another child with dyslexia or cerebral palsy or Ehlers Danlos might not be the same: people's needs are all different.

In fact, would he be interested in watching this to help him get his confidence back? It might help seeing someone else who has battled the same battle as he is.

Not sure how old your DS is but thought it was worth suggesting

Thanks shipwrecked, I think it was the "don't call me stupid" documentary which was great and showed how she learned lines etc.