Table of contents for November 2023 in Dystinct Magazine

“Even though you may never fit in, you can stand out.” Within a system that often favours conformity, it’s crucial to acknowledge that our strength and brilliance reside within our differences. Our children experience the daily challenge of feeling different, and as parents, we strive to assist them in fitting into the rigid structures imposed by the system. Reuben Bainbridge’s perspective resonates deeply: "When you have learning difficulties, you don't fit in. As much as you try, you don't fit in because there’s something that’s different about you. This difference is a good thing, not bad. It should be embraced." Understanding that these differences are not shortcomings but unique attributes that can lead to success can shift our mindset. Instead of focusing on fitting in, we can redirect our energy…

AS PARENTS, WE WANT NOTHING MORE THAN TO SEE OUR CHILDREN SUCCEED, THRIVE, AND BE HAPPY IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE. WHEN MY FAMILY MOVED FROM OVERSEAS 5 YEARS AGO, WE ENTERED INTO THE US SPECIAL EDUCATION SYSTEM WITH NO IEP IN PLACE. I WAS APPALLED AT HOW LONG IT TOOK FOR MY CHILD WITH CLEAR DISABILITIES TO GET SERVICES THROUGH THE SCHOOL. WE CALL THAT YEAR "THE LOST YEAR" BECAUSE SERVICES HAD BEEN IN PLACE FOR ROUGHLY 7 WEEKS BEFORE COVID HIT. IT WAS A NIGHTMARE FOR HIM, HIS TEACHERS, HIS SCHOOL, AND OUR FAMILY. SINCE THEN, THE TOOLS IN MY ADVOCACY TOOLBOX HAVE GROWN SO MUCH THAT I HAD TO GET A NEW TOOLBOX. IN THIS ARTICLE, WE'LL EXPLORE PRACTICAL STRATEGIES AND RESOURCES THAT CAN MAKE A POSITIVE…

I was finally old enough to get a big kid chapter book with real words, words with more meaning than picture books. Words that would let me use my imagination to paint my own pictures. I was ecstatic. I had waited for this opportunity for such a long time. It was a right of passage as an elementary school kid, and I had a long list of books that I wanted to check out and read. But only if I knew all that I would need to overcome in order to get access to the same books other kids could get access to easily! It all started when we went to the school library to get books to read. Since we were in third grade, we were allowed to get…

Society is built on a collection of norms and conventions. The way we think, behave and understand the world is heavily influenced by the "majority rules" principle. However, this collective agreement becomes a concern when it disregards or marginalises the experiences of neurodivergent individuals. These individuals, who may have ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or other neurodivergences, often find themselves measured against neurotypical standards. Unsurprisingly, this leads to misunderstandings, misconceptions, and ableist perspectives. THE CONSISTENCY CONUNDRUM Take, for example, the value our society places on consistency. Consistency is often associated with dependability, discipline, and success. People who can chip away at tasks over time are seen as committed, while those who might procrastinate but burst into activity right before a deadline are viewed as inconsistent or unreliable. For many with ADHD, consistency…

A midst the academic hurdles posed by dyslexia lies a lesser-known aspect of hidden mental health challenges that often go unnoticed. The correlation between dyslexia and anxiety significantly impacts a child’s mental health and self-esteem. It presents difficulties for parents and educators who may not be familiar with the signs of mental health issues or how to offer support for their children or students with dyslexia. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND AWARENESS In my role as an elementary resource teacher supporting struggling readers and as a parent to a child with dyslexia, I have firsthand experience of the significant impact dyslexia has on mental health. Watching my son, who grapples with reading and writing difficulties, I am filled with empathy and sadness. I often find myself with feelings of guilt for not…

WHEN I WAS INVITED TO SHARE MY STORY, I FELT BOTH HONORED TO BE SEEN AS OFFERING A VALUED EXPERIENCE FOR OTHERS AND IMMEDIATE PRESSURE. MY BRAIN HAS A BIG-PICTURE VIEW. THIS IS JUST ONE OF SEVERAL WAYS MY DYSLEXIA AND ADHD WORK TOGETHER AND AGAINST EACH OTHER. THE ADVANTAGE IS THAT I CAN SEE THE EVOLUTION OF AN IDEA AND ALL THE POSSIBILITIES. THE DOWNSIDE IS THAT I'M ALMOST IMMEDIATELY OVERWHELMED. MY ADHD IS ON FULL ALERT WHETHER I WANT IT TO BE OR NOT. I seem to be hard-wired for these few things to be front and center: • IT WILL TAKE FOREVER TO COMPLETE. • IMPOSTER SYNDROME. THIS IS WEIRD, RIGHT? BECAUSE, IN THIS CASE, IT’S MY STORY. • PERFECTIONISM. ALSO, IT’S ODD IN REGARD…

“EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY NEVER FIT IN, YOU CAN STAND OUT.” Reuben Bainbridge, with his candid charm and insightful reflections, brings a new voice to the conversation about neurodiversity. Navigating the complexities of dyspraxia, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, Reuben’s life showcases his resilience and determination. His journey, marked by overcoming personal obstacles and embracing his unique abilities, stands as an inspiring example of the strength found in diversity and the value of self-acceptance. At the young age of 18, Reuben’s career is as varied as it is fascinating. Living in the picturesque area of County Durham near Barnard Castle, he juggles numerous roles with ease. From assisting on his family’s farm to his work as a barista, Reuben is accustomed to hard work. His talents also extend to the…

Amazing app! This app is really wonderful because it spreads awareness to the Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia and Dysgraphia community. They share personal stories and artwork. By sharing those, it really helps people feel less alone and find similarities with others. Definitely check out Dystinct mag! So Informative and Uplifting Dystinct is a brilliant publication. It provides practical articles from specialists that inform and gives really positive insights into SLDs. The fact that it includes the artwork and stories of people with learning differences is so lovely. Great advocacy at work here. Dyslexia Informative, celebratory and up to date. A magazine worth reading for those living with dyslexia, for family members supporting and advocating, for educators and for those pushing for change. Fabulous platform - inspiring content Neurodiversity is every bit…

The month of October holds a special significance for my family. It is a time when we come together to celebrate Disability Employment Awareness Month, Blind Awareness Month, and Dyslexia Awareness Month. These events celebrate three life experiences that embody my passion and are the essence of my existence. I am the proud mother of two children diagnosed with Usher syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive hearing and vision loss. Both of my children are deaf and wear bilateral cochlear implants. My youngest also has low vision (legally blind) and dyslexia, which was identified when she was 11 years old. She is a large print reader. I am often met with raised eyebrows whenever I mention DeafBlind and dyslexia together. This constant reaction motivates me to continue speaking…