Sub-Total: $0.00
A Mother's Discovery
The story of Dyslexia Victoria began thirty-seven years ago when the founder's (Karey) daughter was in second grade. Her teacher expressed concern, suspecting that her spelling and reading difficulties might stem from "Dyslexia," a term the Karey had heard during her teaching studies but knew little about.
Navigating the Education System
Early Challenges & Misconceptions
Karey's daughter underwent assessments with a teacher specializing in support programs and subsequently with a learning disabilities specialist. The results confirmed Genevieve was exceptionally bright yet profoundly dyslexic. Crucially, then Karey was informed there was no available assistance or tutoring within the Northern California school system to address her daughter's specific needs.
Systemic Resistance and Lack of Funding
This early experience highlighted a widespread pattern: resistance to acknowledging dyslexia and a prevailing lack of funding for related support within North American school systems. Many educators at the time also found it difficult to accept that dyslexia truly existed.
Dismissive Attitudes Encountered
During an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting held for her daughter—a collaborative effort involving teachers, principals, special education instructors, school psychologists, and parents—Karey was astonishingly told that her expectations for her child were "too high."
Challenging Misguided Advice
Karey questioned how her daughter would secure employment without basic skills like reading, writing, money handling, or arithmetic. The psychologist even suggested Karey’s daughter was pretty and popular and should focus on marrying a rich husband. Reading, spelling, writing and arithmetic would no longer be an issue for her. Karey, the Dyslexia Victoria founder was incensed, and shot back angrily, emphasizing the importance of practical skills over popularity or artistic hobbies. We at Dyslexia Victoria have heard similar stories and worse from parents and adult dyslexics over forty years.
Academic Success Achieved - graduated from high school as an honor roll student.
The Breakthrough
Seeking External Expertise
Recognizing the limitations within the school system, Karey sought out private tutors and specialists. These experts assessed her daughter, unequivocally confirming her dyslexia.
Unlocking the Dyslexic Mind
It was explained that dyslexic individuals require information to be taught using whole and real images, not abstract concepts.
Dyslexic individuals benefit from learning with whole, real images rather than abstract concepts. They process information by first seeing the complete picture, then the individual parts, a method known as 'seeing the forest before the trees,' which aligns with right-brain processing.
A New Teaching Approach
Armed with this profound insight, Karey began to adapt her teaching methods for her daughter. She committed to explaining everything through real-life concepts and always presenting the whole idea first before delving into specifics.
The Money Math Revelation
A pivotal moment occurred when Karey's daughter, in third grade, struggled with an arithmetic sheet asking for coin combinations for specific monetary amounts (e.g., $1.00). This was too abstract. The founder then poured a jar of real change onto the table. Karey's daughter immediately understood the coins' value and purpose from real-world experience. When asked to count different coins to reach the amounts on the sheet, she grasped the concept instantly and completed the exercise in minutes.
The Path to Understanding Begins
This breakthrough transformed years of confusion. It marked the definitive start of truly understanding her daughter and how she thinks and learns, opening up effective teaching pathways.
Progress, Family, and Purpose
Continuous Growth & Research
From that point, Karey actively sought out tutors specializing in dyslexia, devoured relevant books, and engaged with anyone offering valuable insights. She developed strategies to navigate the school curriculum, empowering daughter to ask the right questions and comprehend lessons in a way that aligned with her learning style.
Academic Success Achieved
Through these dedicated efforts, remarkable progress was made. Her daughter successfully graduated from high school with good grades, fully equipped to pursue a college education.
A Family Trait Revealed
Inspired by her daughter's journey, the entire family—Karey, her husband, and their other children—underwent dyslexia assessments. All were found to have varying degrees of dyslexia. Further investigation revealed a familial pattern, with the Karey's father, sister, a brother, and many of her husband's relatives also being dyslexic.
Embracing Dyslexic Gifts
The family learned to navigate their individual dyslexic challenges, with many effectively leveraging their "right-brain Dyslexia gifts." They discovered that being right-brained and dyslexic can indeed be an incredible asset.
Sharing the Knowledge
Today, Karey is dedicated to making this invaluable knowledge accessible to parents, students, teachers, tutors, and dyslexic adults. Her mission is to illuminate the path, help solve dyslexic learning problems, and ultimately reveal the profound benefits of being a right-brained individual.
Real-World Success Stories
Karey’s daughter’s Adult Achievements
Today, one of Karey's three dyslexic children, is a successful adult with her own family. She expertly manages their family fence construction business, handling all aspects that once seemed insurmountable in elementary school. Beyond her career, she is married with four children and frequently assists family and friends with various work and life challenges.
Hollywood Path
Karey's middle son works in Hollywood's commercial production industry. His right-brain thinking style is a significant asset in his field, and he has observed a notable presence of dyslexic or right-brain thinkers within the entertainment business.
Construction Expertise
Her youngest son has been involved in the family construction business since age fifteen. As a welding fabricator, electric gate installer, and crew supervisor, his ability to perceive the big picture and excel at problem-solving proves invaluable to the company's operations.
Unlock Their Potential
Empower your child's learning journey! Explore Dyslexia Victoria's programs and resources for personalized learning skills support. We're dedicated to helping every unique mind thrive.