Recognition brings new hope for dyslexics

For as long as she can remember, Whangarei's Katrina Maugham has struggled with spelling.
Bullied by classmates, isolated from lessons and left feeling frustrated, Ms Maugham says she is one of many people the Ministry of Education had long ignored.
But now she's now celebrating, after the ministry announced this week it was now willing to embrace the term dyslexia. The ministry has also promised to develop initiatives that support the learning needs of dyslexic students.
The Dyslexia Foundation estimates that about 70,000 New Zealand children have some form of dyslexia, yet until this week the ministry had not officially acknowledged dyslexia's existence.
Ms Maugham says that she first noticed she had a problem with words when she was at primary school.
"I couldn't do the spelling tests as all the letters became jumbled and I felt really confused. The teachers didn't understand and I was so frustrated. As I went through school, I felt dumb and embarrassed," she said.
There are 1.18 million New Zealand adults who have a literacy level of 1-2, the lowest measurable level. With more than 50 percent of prisoners having learning difficulties, Ms Maugham believes that undiagnosed dyslexia could be the cause of many social problems.
"There are so many children that don't get taught properly at schools because teachers don't know they have dyslexia. These children get disheartened and end up leaving school with a poor education. They fall in with the wrong crowds, get into trouble and end up dumped in prison.
"So many adults will hide their dyslexia because there is a stigma attached to not reading and writing well. People think you're stupid. It's time the Government recognised dyslexia and helped the people that have it to lead successful lives," she said.
Dyslexia awareness week starts on Monday. Two Whangarei residents have teamed up to make Northlanders more aware of the condition.
Sheryn Comrie, from learning difficulties charity Speld, and Sandra Moetara, who facilitates the Davis Dyslexia Correction programme, hope to prove that you can still have a very successful career even if you have dyslexia.
"Dyslexia isn't something you should be ashamed of, it's just a different way of thinking. Dyslexics think in pictures, not the sound of words," said Mrs Moetara, who is dyslexic and has a dyslexic son.
"Dyslexia doesn't mean you can't do the job you want. Many famous people and good business people are dyslexic but have learnt how to cope."
The pair will be displaying information and handing out brochures in the main shopping areas of Whangarei on Monday, Dargaville on Tuesday, Kaitaia on Thursday, Kaikohe on Friday and the next day at Kerikeri.