Port Macquarie’s Georgia Ryan believes that all teachers should be properly trained to help students with dyslexia and has started a petition to get universities on board.
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After years of struggling at school, 13 year old Georgia was finally diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 11, and now wants to help others like her.
In less than two weeks her petition to Universities Australia has gained support from more than 1200 supporters Australia-wide.
“I was diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia in my last year of primary school” Georgia said.
“Even though my teachers were all so kind and caring, they struggled in knowing how to help me and understand why I was having so many difficulties. It took several years before I was diagnosed due to my parent’s persistence and determination.
“More than 10 percent of the population has dyslexia so it makes sense that teaching courses should all have compulsory modules dedicated to learning differences for all potential teachers.”
Georgia said since she was diagnosed her parents have told her she needs to be an advocate for her own learning.
“My parents have always tried to teach me how important it is to self-advocate,” she said.
“I especially wanted to do something after my little sister gave a talk about dyslexia and I saw how much of a difference one person could make.
“I realised that unless I was brave enough to try and do something then nothing would change.
“It was then I decided to write a letter and start an online petition.
“I wasn’t really sure how it would go, but I now have over 1200 signatures from all over Australia, which is really promising.
“Everybody has been so positive and supportive.
“I’ve enjoyed reading all the online comments from some prominent professors and advocates in the field of dyslexia, which has shown me how important it is to try and get the people in charge at universities to make a change.”
She said that by talking about her dyslexia and going public with her campaign she hopes she can help others like her.
“Hopefully it will raise awareness about dyslexia, but mainly I want to have those in charge at universities see how important it is to make it compulsory for every teaching degree in Australia to include a module on learning differences.
“I want to be a teacher when I finish school and I hope that by the time I go to university that it will be compulsory for all trainee teachers to enroll in a course on learning differences.
“If every teacher in Australia is trained in learning differences, then that knowledge would spread to every school and then to every student.
“People sometimes think that those with dyslexia aren’t as smart as everyone else or can’t excel in school and I want to prove them wrong.
“People also think that I can’t read but I love reading I just sometimes need a little extra help.”
If you would like to sign the petition click here.
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