Dyslexia club - what do you think?

[Lulutheboss]

I’ve had an idea to set up some kind of club for dyslexic students in my school.
It wouldn’t be an intervention session as such but more of a discussion about issues, looking at positive role models, research about the skills dyslexics have and general useful strategies.
I want to reinforce the positive aspects of dyslexia and boost self esteem.
What do you think? Does anyone run anything like this in a school already? Care to share ideas/resources?
Thanks.

My concern would be that if kids don't already have a positive view of dyslexia and healthy self esteem would they be willing to voluntarily attend "dyslexia club"? It could be quite stigmatising.

Yeah, that’s my concern. I don’t think I would actually name it dyslexia club.

I have a burning desire to raise awareness of how successful people can be if they have dyslexia.
My own child suffers terribly with low self esteem because of it.
I want to offer some kind of support group that focuses on positive role models, etc. There are a lot of Ted talks about the ‘gift of dyslexia’.

Your motive is good, but I wonder what they would actually do at the club. They would need to do something more enjoyable than have discussions and watch Ted talks.

An autism group I know of had guitar and drumming lessons, board games and role play games.

I don’t really know. It’s just an idea that came to me after watching something on YouTube.

I thought i’d come on here and ask for ideas!

It sounds like it might be better targeted at a whole year group eg as the subject of an assembly.

This could help reduce stigma by making sure the kids understand various learning difficulties and what they entail. So for example, that dyslexic people aren't "stupid" they have a specific issue with reading etc and providing some examples of famous role models, and then the same for ADHD etc etc

I work a lot with children with dyslexia and do focus a good bit on reminding them of the positive parts. They also love when they discover someone else is dyslexic . So your intentions are good but they would need activities intertwined with that stuff. Also they wouldn't want to be singled out or miss break time either. My ds is dyslexic and would have got angry at the thoughts of having to go to a club as he never wanted anyone to know and would rather play football than talk about it.l know they wouldn't have to go but he would have been nervous he would be put under pressure to go and once again feel different.

Thanks all.

Some interesting thoughts. I will have to mull this over a bit more.

It sounds like it might be better targeted at a whole year group eg as the subject of an assembly.

As the mother of a child with dyslexia (who hates being singled out) I think a whole year-group session is a brilliant idea. And I totally agree with your intention OP - it is so important to build confidence, and get across to children that they can achieve amazing things with dyslexia (DS went through a phase of coming home from school saying "I'm so stupid" and it was heart-breaking.)

Fermats, yes it really is heartbreaking. My son is the same, to the point where he is now in CBT trying to change his negative mind set.
I kind of wanted to do something a bit more prolonged than a one off assembly. I teach children from year 7 right through with dyslexia and I notice the same self esteem traits in all of them. It’s such a shame.

This sounds like a lovely idea, but I think you’d need to be really careful with the approach. As mentioned, if these kids have low self-esteem, then the last thing they might want is an assembly where their profile is raised, where they might feel like everyone is watching them for traits that the assembly discussed.

You’d also need to be mindful of unintended consequences, like when Blue Peter profiled Joey Deacon and ‘Joey’ became an insult across the nation’s playgrounds.

Could you start off more subtly? Maybe posters around school of celebrities with various SEN? Daniel Radcliffe - dyspraxia, Chris Packham - autism, Will.i.am - ADHD, that sort of thing?

this is a great idea just needs adjustments
are you in nz?
please reply
Brian
ps I am an experienced adult dyslexic!!