learningdis

How much does what we eat affect our ability to function? The question may seem straight-forward if one is discussing alcohol or drug consumption, but what about the solids?

These investigators have explored some of the effects of fish oils on mental function in children and verified that the mothers who gave their reluctant children cod-liver oil, may have been right afterall.

Years ago, a young mother expressed her utter exasperation to the first grade teacher. She had been trying to teach her daughter to read. "She almost had it." She exclaimed "and then she would say something totally different." The teacher, with decades of experience, and much wisdom, simply told her, "Don't worry. I'll teach her." and she did.

Not everyone should homeschool their child, but for those who are able to and choose to, excellent resources are now available. This site provides much information from a British perspective, but similar things can be acquired in other countries.

"If the academic system can handle differences, and respect the beauty of diversified patterns of ability and behaviour, the world would be a better place for children..." So concludes Lakshmi Krishnakumar, Founder Director of Sankalp, The Open School, Chennai, India.

I often wonder how learning would be transformed if the classroom was filled with well-directed, boistrous activity. I do not advocate chaos, but where did the idea that children should sit still for hours and listen come from? As more information becomes available about the diverse learning styles that humans have, it also becomes clear that many students both dyslexic and not, are put at a disadvantage because the educational system tends to focus on a very few of these styles, rewards those who have them and disparages those with the remaining perspectives. More credit needs to be given to a the growing number of educators who are willing to take the risks needed for change.
LEADER ARTICLE: Don't Dismiss Dyslexia- The Times of India

Dyslexic children, like other disabled children, often encounter barriers that would scuttle their dreams. In addition, because their challenges are not external, they often face the problem of being misunderstood and labelled as "lazy" or "just not trying hard enough". Perceptual changes are needed on both sides. Those without dyslexia need to learn to see the differences, not for opportunities to ridicule but for the alternative gifting that lies within.

This physician clearly knows what his choices would have been under different circumstances and expresses gratitude for his supporters by the way he lives.