Catherine’s guide sheds new light on dyslexia

Sep 25 2008 by Andrew Baldwin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

DO you have trouble telling left from right? Is it hard for you to read a map? Do you have trouble saying long words?

These questions, posed in A Useful Dyslexia Handbook for Adults, could all be among the indicators of dyslexia.

The handbook, launched this week, has been written by Catherine Taylor, who was born in Almondbury and graduated with a BEd and BA Hons from Huddersfield University in the 1980s. Now dyslexia co-ordinator at Calderdale College in Halifax, she has written a simple, no frills book aimed at adults with dyslexia, their relatives, partners and friends, to explain why they are having problems and what they can do about it.

Catherine says: “The driving force behind writing the book was to reach out to help as many people as possible. So many dyslexic people remain undiagnosed and have no idea how their lives could be transformed.

“We supported around 120 learners with dyslexia at Calderdale College last year and many of the students we see have been struggling alone with their difficulties for years.

“A high proportion realise there’s a problem but don’t know what it is and that can be very frustrating for them.”

It can be very emotional for sufferers when they finally meet someone who understands, says Catherine.

“As youngsters, people may have been told that they were lazy or stupid. Failed by the education system, they are often low in self confidence and self esteem.”

Eventually, with help, they begin to read more fluently and develop spelling strategies.

A Useful Dyslexia Handbook for Adults by Catherine Taylor is published by Olympia Publishers www.olmpiapublishers.com at £5.99.