How to Build a Dyslexia Youth Group

I've been contacted by many moms across the country asking how they can build a dyslexia youth group. I've taken what I told them and wrote this handy guide. Feel free to share and I hope you find it useful. Creating a dyslexia youth group has been by far the most rewarding thing for me, and I know it will be for you too!

Download the PDF here

Download the PDF here

"Be a person you needed when you were younger!"

You know when something so fantastic happens to someone you know, and it fills your heart with happiness? My heart is so happy; I want to share this true story of an extraordinary young woman making a very powerful impact on the life of a little girl in the Dyslexia Buddy Network. If you are a parent of a child with dyslexia, get your tissues ready.

I bring in speakers to the Dyslexia Buddy Network (DBN) to tell our youth about their own experience growing up with dyslexia. A mom in our group referred me to her niece, Kathleen, a college student studying Sports Marketing Communication. I invited Kathleen to be a speaker and since her college was out of state, she offered to write a letter for DBN parents to share with their kids, and what follows after this letter is your Tissue Alert.

“I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I was in 2nd grade. I remember when I was little I could not remember my alphabet and struggled with math and could not read well, I also use to write backwards!  After I was diagnosed, I was put in the one of Scottish Rite Children's Dyslexia Centers that used the Orton Gillingham Approach. After a few months I remember when I could read my first billboard while driving with my mom. IT WAS EPIC! 

It was always a struggle for me in school when it came to my academic and peers. I felt stupid and had low self esteem because I had two very intelligent older brothers who always got straight A's and I ended up with C's. My dad was always positive and treated my report card like they were As because he knew I tried my best. I also took my test separate from my peers. I ended up with a lot of backlash from my peers, "why does she get special treatment", "how come you are never here to take the test." At such a young age they were ignorant to my learning disability and why I had to leave the room for every test. I was always the last one to get picked for class projects because kids thought I was "too Dumb" to be in their group to contribute. I would come home crying and very upset and did not want to go to school, embarrassed by the way I learn.

My mom taught me to look at my dyslexia as a gift and just tell people, I am just like you, I just learn differently. Even though I struggled in a lot of areas of academics and school life, I was a very outgoing little girl my mom said, and would go up and talk to just about anyone.

I eventually learned to own my dyslexia and not let it define me. I found things I was passionate about such as, writing my own stories, art, and sports! I was on the Varsity Tennis team all four years of high school, national art honor society and much more. I am a avid hockey fan (Go Blackhawks!). I took a liking to the Chicago Blackhawks Ice crew girls and they adopted me as their "younger sister". One of the crew girls eventually told me she was dyslexic too. She taught me to always follow my dreams and never give up. Since then I did just that. I went to college and knew I wanted to work in sports. I have had multiple internships with professional sports teams such as, St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, and even studied abroad and worked for Chelsea Football Club.

This is only a small portion of my story! There is so much more I would love to share with you and your children about my journey "growing up backwards". I would love to become a mentor to your young children and teach them tools and ways to deal with growing up dyslexia. I want to let kids know they are not alone. I would love to teach them they have the power to do anything they set their mind to and to always follow their dreams!” -- Kathleen

TISSUE ALERT

A DBN mom asked Kathleen if she’d be willing to provide some encouragement to her 10-year old daughter, Abby. Kathleen has embraced this with her entire heart, going above and beyond! She has talked with Abby on a regular basis - Skyping, writing letters, talking on the phone, providing much needed inspiration and empowerment. When Kathleen was back in Illinois after having graduated college (Yay!), she and Abby finally had the opportunity to meet in person. Kathleen showed up with a bunch of thoughtful presents - a Build-A-Bear wearing a soccer uniform (Abby’s favorite sport) which Kathleen named Ms. Confidence, and the book “It’s Called Dyslexia” which helped Kathleen when she was Abby's age. And as if that weren’t enough to make all of us Dyslexia Mama Bears cry, Kathleen took Abby’s Chicago Blackhawks jersey and had it autographed by Jonathan Toews!

Kathleen wrote on Facebook,  "Be a person you needed when you were younger!" Meet my favorite girl Abby! The most fun loving, confident, and smartest young lady I have ever met! I am so proud of how far she has come and the confidence that surrounds her!”

Abby had the exciting opportunity to present Kathleen with an Award of Excellence ribbon from the Dyslexia Buddy Network! We give these special ribbons to our speakers and also to our youth. Kathleen, thank you for giving of yourself and making a positive, life-long impact in the life of sweet Abby! [PS. You can hear Abby speak for herself in our short film, "What I Wish Teachers Knew About Dyslexia."]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kristin Paxton is the Founding Mama Bear of the Dyslexia Buddy Network, which she created for her son, Mason, so he knows he is not the only one with dyslexia. The group has over 70 youth from elementary through high school across Illinois. Inspiring speakers share their own experiences with dyslexia, and fun social events have led to good friendships. New in 2016 is a summer overnight camp for kids with dyslexia and siblings.  

Eagle Scouts & Great Ambassadors for Dyslexia, Dysgraphia

Eagle Scout William Bauman from Grayslake, Illinois, was asked to speak to Cub Scouts about dyslexia and dysgraphia (watch here). He told the kids that reading, writing and spelling are challenging for him, but he works hard and has achieved better than average grades. “A misspelled world does not define who I am or what I can do in this world.” 

Public speaking is a ‪#‎STRENGTH‬ of William's. In fact, he was invited by NASCAR driver Scott Lagasse, Jr. to speak at a press conference in Florida for the Alert Today Alive Tomorrow campaign. William’s Eagle Scout project on distracted driving prompted the invitation. 

• Watch William speak at the Daytona press conference here
• Chicago Tribune article on William's Safe Driving Campaign 
• William's On The Road to Safe Driving Facebook page 

Eagle Scout Scott Forsythe from Fort Wayne, Indiana, spoke to our Dyslexia Buddy Network about dyslexia and dysgraphia (watch here), and his message about perseverance, assistive technology and self-advocacy left our kids feeling empowered. Like William, public speaking is a #STRENGTH of his. Scott is the 17-year old founder of DyslexicKids.net and he plans to become a computer engineer. We have no doubt that he will accomplish anything he sets his mind to! Check out Scott's online resume, list of awards and speeches at ScottAForsythe.com

A few of his awards are

• Eagle Scout with 3 Palms, Boy Scouts of America, Project: "List of Dyslexic-friendly Books for Beginning Readers" now used by libraries nationwide 
• President’s Award for Educational Excellence from the U.S. Department of Education 
• Points of Light Award
• American Citizenship Award
• Robert P.Sheppard Leadership Award

For Boys Scouts of America Special Needs Accommodations, see the links on our Resource page .

Excellent job, William and Scott! We are proud of you and you are both great ambassadors for dyslexia and dysgraphia!