Dyslexia Support NSW Mid North Coast co founder Kelly King says there is still more work to be done to address dyslexia

“A recent national survey which looked at parents who have children with dyslexia found that only four per cent felt that their school was meeting their child’s learning needs,” she said. 

Ms King is calling for early identification and effective teacher training to support children who may be having difficulties.  

The new Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, which was introduced by the NSW state government on September 21 is set to be implemented between 2017 and 2020.

 The strategy aims to increase early intervention for at risk students. 

Dyslexia is a neurological difference which can impact on how a child learns to read and write. 

Ms King said there exists a misconception in the community that it is a visual problem. 

She said people who have dyslexia are very intelligent and capable, and with evidence based interventions they can learn to read and write. 

 Ms King said teachers can also help by introducing technology to support students with learning differences.

Celebrities including Richard Branson, Jessica Watson, Steven Spielberg, Steve Jobs and Albert Einstein are examples of people who have dyslexia and have learnt to manage their difficulties to achieve great things in life. 

Ms King also said there are about 54 per cent of scientists at NASA who are believed to have dyslexia.

“They like to hire people who can think outside the box,” she said. 

It can be damaging, Ms King said if students disengage from learning and it can be detrimental for their mental health, if they are treated as being behind the rest of the class. 

Technology however is helping to break down these barriers.

“Speech to text programs, applications and audio books are helping students to manage,” Ms King said. 

Dyslexia Empowerment Week begins on October 16, to raise awareness about dyslexia.