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MESSAGE FOR WEEK BEGINNING 18th April 2005 DYSLEXIA
Not long ago a businessman from Ireland came to see me. He told me how as a youngster he had severe dyslexia. The teacher put him at the back of the class and more or less indicated that he would spend his life digging ditches. Somehow he read one of my books and this seemed to change things. He is now a very successful businessman. He has written a biography and wanted me to write a foreword - which I am happy to do.
I believe that these sort of remarks by teachers are extremely dangerous. I doubt if they spur youngsters to extra effort. All they do is to destroy the self-esteem of the youngster who comes to think of himself, or herself, as stupid. Even more importantly, they lower the expectations of the youngster who comes to think that certain jobs or training "is not for the likes of me".
Edward de Bono |