Inside the Dyslexic Mind: A resource for parents, teachers and dyslexics themselves

Laughton King shares his understanding of the dyslexic mind from his own lived experience as a dyslexic child, an angry adolescent, a therapist and eventually an author. When describing what it is like to be dyslexic, he includes himself. ‘We think in pictures, we chase words around the pages of books, and we have trouble finding any sensible connection between squiggles on paper and real things they are meant to refer to. And this all happens in perpetual reverse gear. You guessed it, for us, school is not cool, and for most of us this makes life tough.’ At the heart of this book is a ground-breaking concept — the diesel/petrol analogy. As Laughton describes it, a dyslexic person is like a diesel vehicle. They run perfectly if you give them the right fuel, but if you put petrol in the tank (i.e. expect them to learn like every ’normal’ child in our current education system) they break down. This book helps dyslexic (diesel) thinkers make sense of their lives, and provides valuable guidance for parents and teachers. There is nothing wrong with the dyslexic child’s brain. They do not need medication and do not need to be ‘rewired’ nor ‘recalibrated’. Laughton’s message to parents and educators is that once they accept this processing difference and understand the dyslexic style of thinking they can readily work with these children and help them achieve their own success.

Table of Contents:
Contents Preface Chapter One: Introduction  The inside story: a portrait of a dyslexic Demystifying and legitimizing  A life ‘out of step’ . . .  Understanding our ‘target group’  Towards understanding the bigger picture Learning or knowledge?  The social environment — and being politically incorrect Chapter Two: The nature of dyslexia  What is it like to be dyslexic?  Hiding in plain sight: case presentations  Chapter Three: Defining dyslexia Defining dyslexia  Dyslexic . . . or not? Do I need to get my child tested? Observable characteristics of dyslexia  Naming and labelling  Chapter Four: Where does dyslexia originate? Where does dyslexia come from?  The diesel/petrol analogy  So, what is a ‘diesel’?  What is a self-proclaimed ‘diesel thinker’?  Chapter Five: A confusing issue Why is it so hard to get useful information about dyslexia? Is dyslexia a product of our educational style?  Chapter Six: Labels, definitions and myths Labels Definitions Common myths about dyslexia  ADD and ADHD  Chapter Seven: Benefits of dyslexia Are there any benefits from being dyslexic?  Some advantages  Chapter Eight: Verbal language The language of the dyslexic person  Mastery Style Pictorial thinking  Speech impediments  Vocabulary Chapter Nine: Family and home Frustration Depression Parenting the dyslexic child  Pictorial thinking — how it plays out in our parenting Concepts of time  Consistency, predictability and emotional security Empowerment and disempowerment Empowering the child  Chapter Ten: Classroom issues Indicators of pictorial thinking  Which helping programme shall I use? Disengagement Teaching truths  Responses to avoid  Teacher style in the classroom  Learning style  Chapter Eleven: Other members of the  ‘dys’ community Dyscalculia Dyspraxia and dysgraphia  The Last Word  The Last, Last Word  Appendix: Interventions  References and further reading  Index

About the Author :
Laughton King is a retired psychologist whose understanding of what is commonly called ‘dyslexia’ comes from his 70-plus years as a ‘dyslexic’ person, and from 35 years as a psychologist working with children experiencing learning difficulties.

Review :
“brilliant book that resonated with me … (and) connected me even more to my children and how they think.” This book is the story of the author’s life and that of all the others like him. It paints a rich picture of the myriad of people who think in pictures, and how they experience life and compulsory education. It gives vast insights to people who are dyslexic or diesel, their parents, their teachers and everyone who has a wish to develop an appreciation of difference, of how to be inclusive and affirming. It shows us how to recognise and value the contribution that ‘people who think differently ’make to the lives of the rest of us. “Laughton King has suffered fear, isolation, frustration and disappointment due to his struggles with dyslexia and it has given him unique insight into the dyslexic mind. This, plus 45 years of work as a child and family psychologist, has led him to view dyslexia as a distinct learning style that is practical and effective, rather than a learning difficulty. In his new book, Inside the Dyslexic Mind, he argues that society has undervalued this learning style and its potential for positive contribution. Here’s a taste of what he thinks.” (Laughton’s) personal insight and professional experience make his conclusions very though provoking”