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I don't usually do this, but I'm going to share a personal story. This week, I truly realized the power of accommodations. My daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia a couple of years ago and has grown up struggling with writing. "Struggling" is putting it lightly. 1/
As we are doing all remote learning this year, I enabled the speech-to-text option on her device to type responses and turn in her online work. She has always hated writing in the traditional sense, which as a writer makes me sad. But this past week she turned to me and asked..2/
"Dad, who's the youngest author ever?"
I told her, "I'm not sure. Why do you ask?"
to which she says, "Because I want to write a book and be an author."
I tried my best to hide the tears from her as all the emotions from years of struggle came flooding into my memory. 3/
I told her, "I'm not sure. Why do you ask?"
to which she says, "Because I want to write a book and be an author."
I tried my best to hide the tears from her as all the emotions from years of struggle came flooding into my memory. 3/
Years of crumpled up paper.
Years of screams and cries of frustration.
Years of 504 meetings and working with her teachers.
Years of learning how the dyslexic brain works differently. She's a super creative kid, but she is paralyzed when a pencil goes in her hand.
3/
Years of screams and cries of frustration.
Years of 504 meetings and working with her teachers.
Years of learning how the dyslexic brain works differently. She's a super creative kid, but she is paralyzed when a pencil goes in her hand.
3/
The speech-to-text accommodation didn't solve her dyslexia, but it opened a door for her that even I as her father wasn't quite sure would ever be opened. I'm not sure if she'll ever be an author, but she now has the confidence to get her story out of her brain and into words. 4/
For all of you struggling out there, you never know what lights will brighten your day. We have to keep searching for those lights with our own kids and those we educate. Also teachers - consider using technology to help those struggling writers. 5/
Think of how many stories before went untold because a kid couldn't write "the right way".
Here's hoping that doesn't happen again.
Every child should have equitable access to technology if for no other reason than that.
Thanks for listening to one dad's story of hope.
Here's hoping that doesn't happen again.
Every child should have equitable access to technology if for no other reason than that.
Thanks for listening to one dad's story of hope.
