Petaling Jaya: The National Organisation for Dyslexia (NOD) aims to increase awareness about this neuroligcal condition and the serious of the situation nationwide.
One out of five children globally has difficulties in learning to read and write, and teachers and parents are not aware that the children have learning issues, while some parents may be reluctant to accept the condition.
Recognising the need for a relevant teaching methodology for children with special needs, NOD provides training for educators and parents and also conducts classes for students with this special need.
NOD believes that every child should have the opportunity to learn to read and write and where there is a learning disability, access to appropriate methodologies must be available.
“Schools must ensure that no child drops out due to dyslexia” said NOD President Dr Mullai Ramaiah (pic), a retired associate professor.
“We try to teach one-on-one, or not more than two or three students who are of the same level, at a time.When there is more than one, there is competition and this helps. They would want to perform better than the other. However, individual attention is imperative because each child comes with a different set of needs.
“Dyslexic kids, by definition, have an average or high IQ. They are often mistaken to be slow learners who take time to grasp what is taught and have an IQ that is below average.
NOD can be contacted at 03-22011646 or via email at support@nodmalaysia.org
Mullai recommends early identification and intervention for children with dyslexia or related learning disabilities from as early as age six.
“They are very motivated when the approach is correct. They build their self-confidence and become interested in learning.”
She said a study done in the UK quoted in the book Crime and Dyslexia stated that “25 boys under 13 years of age who were found guilty of an offence had reading and writing difficulties.”
Mullai also said NOD would be willing to work with the Education Ministry on dyslexia and research on the relation between dyslexia, social isolation and crime.
