iNFORM

There have been two ambulatory family members of mine in the past few days who have had a more positive experience because they used a wheelchair. There are a variety of reasons why a wheelchair can be helpful.

Image is a drawing of a wheelchair and text that says ‘You can be ambulatory and still need mobility aid.’ At the bottom it says in tiny print ‘FG/Autistic Time

My dyslexic child’s actor idol speaking candidly about his dyslexia means a great deal. It makes advocating for accommodations easier when you remember that you aren’t alone. ❤️

The image shows a photo of Tom Holland and has the following texts
‘I'M
HEAVILY DYSLEXIC."
- TOM HOLLAND
HE SAID: -
L AM.
DYSLEXIA IS LIFELONG.
SUPPORT CAN
INTERVENTION CAN
CHANGE OUTCOMES.
ACCOMMODATIONS
BUILD SKILLS.
CAN CREATE ACCESS.
BUT DYSLEXIA DOESN'T DISAPPEAR.
MissPurcell
Miss Purcell
EDUCATE. COLLABORATE. ADVOCATE

Recently, Tom Holland was on Good Hang with Amy Poehler talking about his experiences with dyslexia, and he made many amazing comments, but this simple sentence stood out to me. He didn’t say, “I was dyslexic.” He didn’t say, “I outgrew dyslexia.” He simply said, “I’m dyslexic.”

I was nodding in agreement as I listened along, because if you are dyslexic or are the parent of a child with dyslexia, you know dyslexia is lifelong.

Intervention can improve reading skills, support can improve outcomes, and accommodations can create access, but dyslexia doesn’t disappear.

That’s an important reminder for parents, educators, and even adults with dyslexia because it changes the goal! The goal is to help people understand their strengths and challenges, develop effective strategies, and access the supports they need to thrive beyond school.

This is also why accommodations matter. We shouldn’t think of accommodations as something children use temporarily until they “get better.” Accommodations are tools that create access. For some people, they may be needed in school. For others, in college. For others, throughout their careers and everyday lives.

Tom Holland is one of the most successful actors in the world, and yet he still openly acknowledges he needs accommodations! He’s been asked to host Saturday Night Live a few times and turned each ask down because reading the handwritten cue cards triggers a mental block. We hope Saturday Night Live will provide some accommodations for those cue cards….I know a few dyslexia advocates and kids with dyslexia who would love to see Tom Holland host and be accommodated!

Dyslexia is lifelong, and access should be too.

A lot of good stuff to chew on in this one.

Lots of good stuff here.