Community
Local charity Learning Differences Aotearoa Trust has seen an 85% increase in enquiries over the past year, it says is in part due to increased awareness of neurodiversity.
The trust, who run support programmes for tamariki, rangatahi and adults with dyslexia is receiving emails from all over the world, from people looking for advice and support.
Learning Advisor Chris Cole said attitudes are changing, people have more self-awareness of their strengths and workplaces are becoming more supportive and inclusive, realising that people with dyslexia bring unique strengths, to the workplace.
Forty percent of the worlds best innovators and entrepreneurs are dyslexic, and in 2022, LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, added Dyslexic Thinking as a skill.
Dyslexia is a label given to explain another way of thinking and processing information which is outside the “norm” or majority. People with dyslexia use their strengths for problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, innovation, managing staff and creating efficient processes.
This year the trust has created its own theme, for Dyslexia Awareness Week, 2 – 8 October.
‘Diverse Minds, Endless Possibilities’ is about emphasising the positives of dyslexia and changing outdated perceptions. In the past dyslexic’s have been judged on what they can’t do, rather than what they can, and we believe that a diverse mind can take you anywhere in life, with no limitations.
“We have created a free social media graphic in different formats, that anyone can download from our website to celebrate Dyslexia Awareness Week and spread awareness on their own platforms”, Cole said.
Events on throughout awareness week include a free online parent information session, displays in the public library and Young Reflections on Tay Street, and the Southland Adult Dyslexia Support Group is hosting a series of talks entitled, “ Embracing Your Dyslexia.”
Details of all events are on the trusts website www.learningdifferences.org.nz and face book page – www.facebook.com/aotearoatrust/