Decoding Dyslexia with Rhianna Lewis

Marked Medicine

Information About Dyslexia And Why Early Diagnosis Is Important

It is estimated that 1 in 5 children struggle with reading, and this could be due to dyslexia.

Did you know that a dyslexia diagnosis has nothing to do with overall IQ?

In this week's episode we are joined by Rhianna Lewis, and her mother, Julee Brooke Lewis. Rhianna is in the 11th grade at Coffee High School, and first became self-aware that she struggled with reading between the ages of 5 and 6 years old. With her family's support, she now advoctes for others with dyslexia, and hopes to make everyone aware that there is hope for those that have a dyslexia diagnosis. She now uses her voice to talk about her struggles in hopes that she can help others! She walks us through her journey of decoding dyslexia, and the best part...she has started her own initiative for dyslexia awarenss. She tells us the steps she took to get her hometown to recognize October 6, 2023, as Dyslexia Day in Douglas, GA. She is also selling t-shirts for dyslexia awareness, and will be donating all of the proceeds to the Coffee County Board of Educations and their literacy program.

Rhianna's mother, Julee Brooke, is very candid about the concerns that she had for her daughter, as well as the obstacles that they worked to overcome to get to where they are today. She encourages you to follow your intuition, and advocate for your child!

In this episode, you will learn:

• The early signs of dyslexia
• How a mother first recoginized the signs of dyslexia in her daughter
• Tips for recognizing the signs of dyslexia
• What to do if you think your child may have dyslexia
• The importance of early diagnosis and early intervention for dyslexia
• The causes of dyslexia
• The different types of dyslexia
• If dyslexia only impacts reading
• The impact that a dyslexia diagnosis can have on a family
• The importance of advocating for your child if you think they may have a dyslexia diagnosis
• How you can find someone to test your child for dyslexia
• How you can find a tutor for dyslexia
• The things that our local educators are doing to help recognize students with dyslexia
• Most importantly: You will learn that there is hope for those with dyslexia, and that you can also decode dyslexia!
• You can find other helpful resources here

For the healthcare providers, you will learn:

• How to recognize the early signs of dyslexia
• How to formerly diagnosis a patient with dyslexia
• The importance of a proper diagnosis
• Referral sources for your patients with dyslexia
• The coexistent conditions that are often associated with dyslexia
• The neurobiology of dyslexia and how it creates a processing delay in children

During our "phone a friend" segment at the end of the show, Dr. Mark will answer questions about dyslexia that have been submitted by our listeners!

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT DYSLEXIA RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

• Decoding Dyslexia With Rhianna
• International Dyslexia Association of Georgia
• International Dyslexia Association
• Overcoming Dyslexia
• Referral Sources

You can purchase a t-shirt to help Rhianna raise money for the Coffee County Board of Education's literacy program here!

If you would like to contact Rhianna and ask her to speak at your next event about her journey with dyslexia, contact her here!

Check out this book recommendation about dyslexia here!

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