The Spider's Fly - Page 18/49

While first grade was a breeze for Lindsey, especially since the schools curriculum mainly focused on teaching students how to get along well with others, motor skills, and the ability to follow directions, second grade was completely different. At the start of the second grade, Lindsey and the other students were tested on their physical abilities as well as their ability to learn to read and other intellectual skills. While Lindsey did quite well on all of the physical tests, she did not do well on the ability to learn to read tests. Upon completing all of the assessment tests for second grade, Lindsey’s teacher Mrs. Henderson, recommended that Lindsey either be transferred to a school for the mentally retarded, or be placed in the schools special education classes. Since Lindsey was doing so well in all other areas, Lindsey’s parents refused to accept that their daughter was mentally retarded and refused to place her in the special education classes. With much convincing from Lindsey’s mother, Lindsey’s school agreed to give one on one reading lessons to Lindsey and a select few other students that were struggling with learning to read. The stress of trying to learn to read became so overwhelming for Lindsey, that her mother Linda decided to make a Dr. appointment with a child Psychologist. At the appointment the Dr. was able to determine that Lindsey’s inability to learn to read was having a major affect on her mental and emotional health. The Dr. had an idea of what could be causing Lindsey’s problem. He felt that the issue was a learning disability called Dyslexia, and decided to give Lindsey a few simple tests to confirm. After the tests were complete, the Dr. was able to determine what the problem was and issue the diagnosis. Dyslexia, just as the Dr. suspected. Though Dyslexia was a rare disorder, this Dr. was all too familiar with it, and knew exactly what to do. He recommended that along with the one on one tutoring at school, Lindsey’s parents should sit Lindsey down at least once per week and encourage Lindsey through positive affirmation and cut out any and all criticism.