Tutor Reflects on Experience with Dyslexia

Alexis Williams is a 16-year old tutor who works with Hindman Settlement School’s dyslexia program. Alexis has been involved with the Settlement School’s tutoring programs for seven years. She is currently a junior at Sheldon Clark High School in Inez, Kentucky and a tutor in the Floyd County After School Program. We sat down with Alexis last summer to talk about her involvement in the Summer Tutoring and After School programs and to learn more about her experience with dyslexia.

How did you learn about the After-School and Summer Tutoring Programs here at Hindman?
My teacher recommended the program. My mom was familiar with dyslexia because both my father and uncle are dyslexic. She began to research it looking for help. I have been a dyslexic for as long as I remember. I was diagnosed when I was seven. My mother is my biggest supporter.

How would you describe dyslexia to someone who doesn’t have it but wants to understand it?
People need to understand it isn’t something I can control. I am normal I just learn differently. I am not stupid or lazy, despite what people may think. I have learned to live with the fact that I am dyslexic and I can't change it. I don't think I would want to. It has made me who I am.

You’ve been on both sides of the tutoring. What have you learned that has stuck with you the most?
Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent!" That is my favorite quote by her. She was so right in saying this because with dyslexic kids they tend to feel inferior with most everything they do. They feel as if they have done something wrong so they get intimidated and shut down.

It helps being a tutor to these kids, because I have seen through the same eye's they see through. But I now get how hard it is. I never knew the pain it has caused so many children.

I understand that being dyslexic is hard, but these kids think they are horrible because everyone jut says they are lazy. I can see the pain in their eyes as they try to learn new things and when they get something wrong how much it hurts them. What I don't understand is who gave them this idea about themselves! I would love to talk to a person with the wrong conception about dyslexia, because I want to understand their point of view.

What are your plans for the future? Has this program influenced them?
I want to join the military to pay for school, and then major in Child Psychology or possibly nursing. This program has increased my confidence level. It has helped me to understand that I can do anything I set my mind to.

How would you assess the public schools approach to dealing with dyslexia?
The public schools approach is horrible. They either ignore it or put the child in Special Education. The schools have 504 plans but there are no provisions to specifically address the needs of children with dyslexia.

What techniques have helped you the most?
The “Say, Spell, Say” method (which has the student say the word out loud, spell the word out loud, then repeat the word out loud again. For example: “Rita. R-I-T-A. Rita”) and the use of kinesthetic learning. In the summer tutoring program, they provide boards with a rough surface to rub while you say the words. I use my jeans when I’m in a classroom during the school year.

Do you identify with the students you work with? How?
I understand their struggles. I know what it feels like to be called “stupid” or “lazy.” I also know the empowerment of overcoming your struggles and surfacing as one of the top students in your class.

Has tutoring others helped you?
I am tested for gains as well as the students at the end of the program and I make better gains as a tutor than I did as a student. So tutoring is benefiting me as well as the students.

Are there ways you would improve the tutoring program?
No. I think it is amazing. It is life changing. I think it is an awesome program.

If you could say something to the people who fund this program, what would it be?
This program helps kids. Period. Small gains or big gains, both are helping children. It is life changing for them and builds self-esteem. The kids incorporate all this into their everyday life.

What could schools do to reduce or eliminate the need for such a program?
I believe all children, ages 5-7, should be exposed to these teaching methods. If the child is dyslexic, they learn in the way they need to. If they are not, they learn anyway. I believe if this were done in elementary school, there would be no reason to address it in higher grades. The children with dyslexia would already have the tools they need to succeed in the classroom.

Or at least have all elementary teachers certified in knowing how to teach dyslexia so you can incorporate it in the everyday classroom structure and help both dyslexics and the average student. I truly think it would change our world.

Research suggests that people with dyslexia often excel at certain things. Have you noticed this? Do you have any special talents?
I love to write and have won some awards for my writing.

Anything else you want to add?
There is a need for more people to learn about the program here at Hindman Settlement School and a need for more awareness about dyslexia. To help with this, I started my own blog at www.dyslexiaforme.webs.com.

Editor’s Note: If you think your child might benefit from this program, contact Hindman Settlement School Dyslexia Program at 606.785.4044 to arrange an evaluation.