Newsletter August 2023
August 2023
Happy month of August!
Dear All – there wasn’t going to be an August issue, but now there is, because so many amazing things are appearing… so it’s bullet point style this time with more to follow!
Maybe start with some laughter?
https://www.facebook.com/reel/234388156206952
Best quote ever from Kerwin Rae …. ‘ADHD is a hypersensitivity to boredom’ !
Sponsor a Family August Challenge
The Whole Dyslexic Society’s bursary fund is seeking regeneration. We have four families who have been waiting far too long for a bursary. We know the transformation a Davis program can bring to their lives! Read all about our August Challenge to raise funds for our bursary program HERE.
CALENDAR
We thought you might like to see what we are up to:
August 1 – Come to the Dyslexic Table was a lively conversation about Resilience – What’s Change got to do with It? The podcast will be out shortly.
September 1 – Come to the Dyslexic Table will be discussing this interesting article on Auditory Processing! A huge thank you to Sharon for all her research and enlightening, thought provoking articles.
In the Fall – Nadine is hosting an Improv Class with Theatre Sports – unlocking more creative potential !
November 9-12 - DDAI Conference - San Francisco - Sue has been invited to be part of a non-profit session.
OCTOBER DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH
We are planning for our October – Dyslexia Month campaign and focussing on our pins again.
Christina Rossi is a very accomplished custom cookie baker – and now we have Gifted with Dyslexia cookies to add to the pins !
Check out Chrissy’s Cookie Jar – this is her Facebook link - HERE.
We are still working on the dyslexic ice-cream idea – do you have any suggestions for us? info@thewds.org
OUTREACH AND GRANTS
Telus StoryHive grant awarded:
This month we start our Telus StoryHive documentary mentoring/training… ‘Why the Need for Inclusivity in Education and How’.
If you have a point(s) that you feel we should emphasise… please email us at info@thewds.org.
Grants applied for: BC Campus, Loyal Protestants, Epcor and Domtar … please send positive thoughts their way !
Connection made with Big Sisters who run a Study Buddy program … thank you Gisa … looking forward to where this leads!
Julie found Darius Namdaran of BulletMap Academy…. love his mind mapping! Check out his site HERE.
PAPER: Being of a certain age, I need to see things on paper to read them… not a fan of reading off a screen.
So, sadly I use a lot of copy paper… but just bought Sugar Sheet paper ! Made from sugar cane fibre, no trees involved !
It’s great and you can recycle it ! “The Best Alternative to Not Printing”… and I’m not on commission
Come to The Dyslexic Table Live Chat September 1st: Topic is Auditory Processing Disorder
Chris Mongomery usplash
Sharon Roberts has penned another excellent article for us - this month it is 'Auditory Processing Disorder'.
We will be talking about this at our next Come to the Dyslexic Table Live Chat on Friday September 1st at 4.30pm (Pacific Time). To read more and RSVP visit our page HERE.
Auditory Processing Disorder Sharon Roberts, Davis Dyslexia Correction Facilitator, Kitchener, ON
I never really began to fully comprehend auditory processing issues until one day I was sitting in a very busy coffee shop with my son. High school students were lined up, dishes were clanging, buzzers were going and mixed conversations were overheard. My son, who was about 10 at the time, only remarked about the song playing way off in the background. This was a song, I literally strained to hear. Yet for him it was as distinguishable as the rest of the coffee shop’s noises. No wonder verbal instructions and noisy classrooms were a challenge for him, because if he couldn’t distinguish the dominant noise and drown out the others, how could he pay attention?
People with auditory processing disorder can have a hard time hearing small sound differences in words. For example one could say, “ Look at the cows over there,” and yet they may hear, “Look at the owls on the stairs.” Sounds may be reversed or jumbled such as the classic ‘pasghettie’ instead of spaghetti. Multiple sounds may be heard as one sound. All of this leads to difficulty with phonemic awareness, a skill necessary for traditional reading methods. Not all dyslexics have auditory discrimination problems and symptoms can vary from mild to extreme, but other signs can include, difficulty following a sequence of instructions, a weak auditory memory and weak comprehension of something just heard leading to the misunderstanding what others said.
Basically, they will pass a traditional hearing test but with auditory processing, their brain isn’t getting what the ears are hearing, but what it thinks they are hearing. Sounds familiar? It’s a form of disorientation. Instead of having confusion over letters, there is confusion with sounds. This confusion makes processing difficult, makes it hard to think while listening or phonetically decoding and leads to slowness in interacting things heard with things seen.
In addition, because the listening and balance systems are highly integrated, (they share the same vestibular-cochlear apparatus) those who struggle with APD often have difficulty with co- ordination. The vestibular system is a system of balance and motion located in the inner ear.
This part of the brain uses both sides of the body to support the child’s balance which allows one to know their place in space. Good balance helps one sit still, concentrate and control the eye movements necessary for reading, writing and coordination.
Auditory issues, like other learning and attention issues can affect a child’s everyday life. For example, does the child mishear sounds and words? Maybe you find the child is easily overwhelmed in noisy environments and copes better in quieter settings? Does your child have trouble with spelling or phonics? Maybe conversations or verbal directions are hard to follow? Separate testing from a typical hearing test is needed to confirm the suspicions.
Therapy and technological equipment is available, but I personally found the techniques behind the Davis Dyslexia Correction® Method very helpful. We had our son retested around 1 to 2 years following his program and he was in the “normal” range. This followed his mastering the sight words and daily implementation of the orientation exercises. I am not sure if I had APD, but I did have problems following lectures and remembering what was said without writing notes. Now, I frequently listen to podcasts and the odd auditory book while driving and seem to retain the important parts, and of course, I was able to do that following a Davis Dyslexia Correction ® Program.
The Davis Program tackles the cause of the learning struggles and gets to the root of the problem, allowing the participant to discover their confusions and correct them. With auditory processing, the orientation procedure combined with introducing symbols that are responsible for the challenges, has the ability to solve the problem. It has the potential, (depending upon the dedication to the follow up) to permit the client to re-enter the workplace or school free from technology, accommodations and coping strategies.
Sharon Roberts, Davis Facilitator, Ontario https://dyslexia.ca/
Enjoy and have a fabulous summer !! your Board….Sue, Laura, Julie, Nadine, Sharon, Paddy, Gisa, Tristan.
Nadine and Sue continue to offer the Why Ty Parent Support Courses.
For more information click on the button below. View a parent’s testimonial on our YouTube Channel HERE.
WE’VE GONE INTERNATIONAL ! The Kakamega Project.
The WDS & The Kakamega Project team are on a mission ! To provide effective dyslexia education training to developing remedial tutors and supporting parents in Kakamega County, Kenya. We are very excited and honoured to be part of this initiative and look forward to telling you how it is unfolding. Visit our Campaign page HERE.
Nadine Schumont from Picture Perfect Learning Solutions in Stratford, Ontario is happy to announce the release of her new “Neurodiversity" T-shirts and merchandise.
With every t-shirt sold, $5 will be donated to the Whole Dyslexic Society to use towards the many services offered. Click this LINK to see, and buy her exciting products.
Our Giving Guide:
NEW! Canada Helps Bursary Fund Fundraising Campaign for The WDS. The Whole Dyslexic Society’s bursary fund is seeking regeneration. We have four families who have been waiting far too long for a bursary. We know the transformation a Davis program can bring to their lives! Read all about our August Challenge to raise funds for our bursary program HERE.
Picture Perfect Learning Solutions Neurodiversity Shirts & Merchandise. Nadine Schumont has create a line of shirts and merchandise celebrating neurodiversity. You can view the range of styles and the image on the back through her store. For every shirt sold Nadine is donating $5.00 to The Whole Dyslexic Society. Check out her shop page HERE.
Purchase our Gifted with Dyslexia Pins. Purchase our Pins Here
TruEarth Eco-Friendly Laundry Soap and Products. 20% of all sales go to our Society. Please follow the link to our Tru-Earth product page to purchase. Tru-Earth Eco-Friendly Products Here
Donate a Car Canada. Looking for simple and free car removal? Donate a Car Canada accepts Vehicle Donations for The Whole Dyslexic Society. When you donate your car, truck, RV, boat, or motorcycle to The Whole Dyslexic Society through Donate A Car Canada, it will either be recycled or sold at auction (depending on its condition, age and location). Read more about Donate a Car Canada…….
See how donations can result in tax credits by reading the article below. Read More…Tax Benefits of Charitable Donations
Partial proceeds go to The WDS from sales and rentals of Ed Roman’s highly acclaimed “Red Omen” video. For more information on renting or buying Red Omen click here
We gratefully accept donations through our Canada helps charity page. We have a variety of donor options. Thank you !
Canada Helps - General Fund
Canada Helps - Bursary Fund
Canada Helps Tribute - Donate in honour of or in memory of a loved one.
Canada Helps Securities - A donation of securities or mutual funds is the most efficient way to give charitably. Since capital gains taxes don't apply, our charity receives the full fair market value when the security is sold, and you get a tax receipt which reflects your larger contribution. This allows you to give more and get more. TO READ MORE ABOUT DONATING SECURITIES OR MUTUAL FUNDS CLICK HERE
We are a registered charity with the PayPal Giving Fund. You can donate to our organization using your PayPal account with no fees. Thank you ! PayPal Giving Fund