Dyslexia, a Learning Disability or a Right-Brained Learner? Why Words Matter With Parents and Students

At a recent meeting of the Learning Disabilities Association of America, Rick Lavoie, an International Speaker and well-respected educator, made a convincing case for using the term Learning Disability and Learning Disabilities with Schools and Legislators. Rick encouraged parents and professionals not to use the words Learning Differences. This article will focus on why we agree with Rick Lavoie when it comes to dealing with schools and legislators, but when it comes to working with parents and students we find the terms …

Learning Differences, Right-Brained Learner and Right-Brained Learners to be more accurate, more empowering and more likely to help the student.

As we wrote in our article on Why Words Matter with Schools – schools and legislators focus on the terms that qualify a student for Special Education Funding, and the words Learning Disability and Learning Disabilities fit – and terms like Dyslexia, Learning Differences and Right-Brained Learners can lead you off track.

Dr. Linda Silverman has done research that shows that 33% of the students are clearly what she labels visual spatial learners and an additional 29% learn better this way – we call these students right-brained learners. That means that …

62% of the students are visual-spatial or right-brained learners

Dr. Linda Silverman wrote in her book “Upside Down Brilliance”

“Phonics instruction does not need to be eliminated altogether, but sight word vocabulary needs to be built first. Then whole words or syllables can be compared and the pattern recognition capacities of the visual-spatial learner can be brought to bear”.

If you take these two concepts and put them together, it means that:

  • Many students learn differently, whether you call them visual spatial learners or right-brained learners
  • These students need to master their sight word vocabulary and pattern recognition skills before phonics will work. (e.g. the sight words are words like the, and, if and but – that do not generate a natural picture and pattern recognition issues refer to not recognizing words they have previously “learned”).

The reason we use the term right-brained learner when talking with parents and students include:

  • This is a concept most students and parents can grasp – the student learns best when they see and experience information, they learn from whole to part, and they do much better when you respect their learning differences.
  • The term right-brained learner informs and empowers the students and the parents – and when they realize that Einstein, Edison and Disney shared this problem – they are even more empowered.
  • When parents look for programs, they want to at least consider programs that teach to their right-brained learners strengths, address the sight-word vocabulary and pattern recognition skills in a way that works for the right-brained learner and they respect their questions and learning style.
  • When parents search for right-brained assessments, right-brained programs and Frequently Asked Questions about the right-brained learner – they are more likely to find what they need.

We recommend using the right words at the right time and for the right reasons:

  • Use the words Learning Disabilities and Learning Disability when talking with schools and legislators.
  • Use the words like Dyslexic and Dyslexia when doing research.
  • Use words like right-brained assessment, right-brained learners and right-brained programs when trying to understand how your child learners, how to assess them and for the right programs – if they are a right-brained learner.

Words like Dyslexia, Learning Disabilities and ADHD can disempower parents and kids – is your child a bright-right-brained learner? The words you use can make a difference.

Mira Halpert M.Ed. is an educator who developed the 3D Learner Program ® and her husband Mark is the President of the Learning Disabilities Association of Florida, and a Professional Speaker – they call for a Parent Revolution to Beat Dyslexia, Learning Disabilities and ADHD for the Right-Brained Learner. For more information go to www.3dlearner.com/ParentRevolution or call them at 561-361-7495