We Need To Talk About Dyslexia

Jamie knows first-hand how difficult it is to navigate the education system with dyslexia – so he’s determined to fight for change. His mantra is: let’s fix the system, not the kids.

Jamie says…

“Too many children are being let down by an education system that isn’t built for them. Bright, creative, amazing kids are being written off, just because they don’t learn the “right way”. And I was one of them. Like three kids in every classroom, I have dyslexia. I struggled at school and felt like a failure, simply because my brain worked in a different way to everyone else’s.

And I’m not alone. I’ve spoken to teachers, parents, students and experts, and the message is clear: the system doesn’t work and it’s our kids who are suffering.

Clearly we need to fix the system, not the kids.

We need an inclusive classroom that values different ways of learning, flexing to the needs of each child, so no one is left behind.

I don’t have all the answers, but here’s where we start:

• Spot the signs early. How can we help kids if we don’t even know they need support? Early screening means we catch it fast – before they’re left to struggle.
• Back our teachers. Of course, they want to help every child, so let’s make sure they get the training and support to do it.

Education isn’t a luxury – it should work for every child. But a system that only works for some kids is just broken. So let’s fix it.”

Big love

Jamie O x x