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I have always thought I had dyspraxia[0], which although totally unrelated to dyslexia, made teachers think I was dyslexic when I was young as I was unable to (

I have always thought I had dyspraxia[0], which although totally unrelated to dyslexia, made teachers think I was dyslexic when I was young as I was unable to (and still can't) write in a legible way unless I write slowly and in block capitals, however I can read very well, and when in the mood can consume books on many topics at quite a fast rate. That said... I've just read the list of dyslexic symptoms[1] and I'm shocked. I can legitimately tick about 80% of that whole list. So maybe I am dyslexic after all ? -- [0] https://dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/dyspraxia-adults/ https://dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/dyspraxia-adults/ [1] https://www.dyslexia.com/about-dyslexia/signs-of-dyslexia/common-characteristics-of-adult-dyslexia/ https://www.dyslexia.com/about-dyslexia/signs-of-dyslexia/co...

afandian 7y ago
As a child I was diagnosed with dysgraphia because my handwriting was terrible, plus other things to do with sequencing. To this day I just can't seem to control my hands when I'm writing. My spelling is pretty normal. I don't often see words on the page transposing. But because I didn't have some of the headline effects dyslexia was ruled out. At university I was re-diagnosed with dyslexia. Nearly all of that list applies. So many dys-words. But I think that by the time you've survived the academic system and you're left alone to get on with living your life, there are more important things than labels. Most important, IMHO, is the coping factors, how much of your energy they sap, and whether you have the life opportunities use them.
toxik 7y ago
Sorry but that list of symptoms is absolute BUNK. "Had it tough in school"? What kind of horoscope level bulls--t is this? "May be able to sense energy of others"? Really? C'mon dude, maybe you have difficulties, but don't turn to these tricksters for diagnose.
- afandian 7y ago
  (removed, misunderstood parent, wasn't constructive)
  - toxik 7y ago
    I am aware of the word’s multiple uses, and I resent the suggestion that I don’t. Dyslexia is a diagnosis about reading text. That page very clearly uses underhanded horoscope type wording to make you think it applies to you individually. Hogwash. Absolute hogwash.
    - afandian 7y ago
      Sorry I misunderstood your comment. Sometimes metaphors _are_ taken over-literally on HN. I didn't assume ill intent. Dyslexia is obviously caused by _something_, but its forms and manifestations do seem to be varied. There are specific tests that can be done, and no doubt they are accurate. But you can't test every single child, and I think one should be open minded to the kinds of behaviours that are co-incident with dyslexia in case it might lead someone to a diagnosis. Diagnosing based on that list is obviously wrong, but I don't think it claims to be a list of falsifiable, scientific characteristics. More something to prompt. I'd rather have a more open funnel than a closed one.
      - JoeAltmaier 7y ago
        Of course you can test every single child. In America we test every single child, every week or two. Starting from childbirth and continuing pretty much uninterrupted until they leave school. In the US the Federal Govt requires schools to test every student for dyslexia and provide appropriate services.
        afandian 7y ago
        I don't know how things were done in the US. But I get the impression that the educational authorities are keen on automated multiple-choice tests. At school I failed pretty comprehensively at the 'standard' testing until the dyslexia was taken into account (although I don't recall more than a tiny handful of automated tests). From my dim memory (over a decade ago), my own dyslexia diagnosis was a few hours long, included a variety of tests, both hand-writing, physical, an interview etc. That would he hugely expensive to do for every child.

afandian 7y ago

As a child I was diagnosed with dysgraphia because my handwriting was terrible, plus other things to do with sequencing. To this day I just can't seem to control my hands when I'm writing. My spelling is pretty normal. I don't often see words on the page transposing. But because I didn't have some of the headline effects dyslexia was ruled out. At university I was re-diagnosed with dyslexia. Nearly all of that list applies. So many dys-words. But I think that by the time you've survived the academic system and you're left alone to get on with living your life, there are more important things than labels. Most important, IMHO, is the coping factors, how much of your energy they sap, and whether you have the life opportunities use them.

toxik 7y ago

Sorry but that list of symptoms is absolute BUNK. "Had it tough in school"? What kind of horoscope level bulls--t is this? "May be able to sense energy of others"? Really? C'mon dude, maybe you have difficulties, but don't turn to these tricksters for diagnose.

afandian 7y ago
(removed, misunderstood parent, wasn't constructive)
- toxik 7y ago
  I am aware of the word’s multiple uses, and I resent the suggestion that I don’t. Dyslexia is a diagnosis about reading text. That page very clearly uses underhanded horoscope type wording to make you think it applies to you individually. Hogwash. Absolute hogwash.
  - afandian 7y ago
    Sorry I misunderstood your comment. Sometimes metaphors _are_ taken over-literally on HN. I didn't assume ill intent. Dyslexia is obviously caused by _something_, but its forms and manifestations do seem to be varied. There are specific tests that can be done, and no doubt they are accurate. But you can't test every single child, and I think one should be open minded to the kinds of behaviours that are co-incident with dyslexia in case it might lead someone to a diagnosis. Diagnosing based on that list is obviously wrong, but I don't think it claims to be a list of falsifiable, scientific characteristics. More something to prompt. I'd rather have a more open funnel than a closed one.
    - JoeAltmaier 7y ago
      Of course you can test every single child. In America we test every single child, every week or two. Starting from childbirth and continuing pretty much uninterrupted until they leave school. In the US the Federal Govt requires schools to test every student for dyslexia and provide appropriate services.
      - afandian 7y ago
        I don't know how things were done in the US. But I get the impression that the educational authorities are keen on automated multiple-choice tests. At school I failed pretty comprehensively at the 'standard' testing until the dyslexia was taken into account (although I don't recall more than a tiny handful of automated tests). From my dim memory (over a decade ago), my own dyslexia diagnosis was a few hours long, included a variety of tests, both hand-writing, physical, an interview etc. That would he hugely expensive to do for every child.