An Eight Year Old’s Journey with Dyslexia


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An Eight Year Old’s Journey with Dyslexia


8 Year OldAccording to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, 2.4 million K-12 students (or 4.7% of all students) have a diagnosed learning disability. Many more are never diagnosed. Dyslexia (difficulty reading printed words, spelling and writing correctly) is the most prevalent and well-recognized type of learning disability.

Typically, students with dyslexia fall behind their peers in class, quickly losing their self-confidence about their ability to be successful. They often give-up on themselves because they have this disability called “dyslexia”. For too many, dyslexia says they’re inadequate because something is wrong with them.

About 2 years ago, after having significant problems learning how to read, write and spell, a 6 year old girl, named Makayla Halbower, of Union City, CA, was diagnosed with dyslexia. At first, she was scared and sad. She felt left out academically and socially. Having dyslexia made her feel different and less equal to the other students in her class.

With tutoring, parental and other supports, Makayla feels very differently now!

She is now confident and empowered. She has just written a children’s book about her journey and wants other students who are diagnosed with dyslexia or other learning differences to feel better about themselves. The book is called, “Dyslexia Rules!” Now, 8 years old and in 4th grade, Makayla has discovered the truth about her talents and strengths. Dyslexia comes with power, if you choose to embrace it. Read her story. Learn her truth. End the stigma that surrounds dyslexia when that label gets placed on a child.

According to Dr. Sheldon Horowitz, of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, “With the right kinds of instruction, guidance and support, there are no limits to what individuals with Learning Disabilities (LD) can achieve.”