Online ISSN: 2325-7466
2006
Triannual
National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET)
United States

Articles

Understanding How Individuals Overcome Their Dyslexia: Struggles, Turning Points in Life, and Advice

Nai Cheng Kuo, Ph.D., Karin M. Fisher, Ph.D., Jennifer Jones, Sara Hillis, I-Chien Chen, Ph.D., Keonna Stanley, M.Ed, NCC
  • Nai Cheng Kuo, Ph.D. (Author) Augusta University image/svg+xml
    Nai-Cheng Kuo is an associate professor of special education at Augusta University. Her research focuses on curriculum studies in humanistic education and special education.
  • Karin M. Fisher, Ph.D. (Author) Georgia Southern University image/svg+xml
    Karin Fisher is an assistant professor of special education at Georgia Southern University. Her research focuses on students with disabilities and STEM education, dyslexia, and special education law.
  • Jennifer Jones (Author) Augusta University
    Jennifer M. Jones is a senior teacher candidate in special education at Augusta University. She works with students with a variety of special needs, including autism, emotional behavior disorders, and dyslexia.
  • Sara Hillis (Author) Augusta University
    Sara Hillis is a senior teacher candidate in early childhood at Augusta University. She advocates for inclusive education and supports students with special needs in the general education setting.
  • I-Chien Chen, Ph.D. (Author) Michigan State University image/svg+xml
    I-Chien Chen is a postdoctoral research associate at Michigan State University. Her research focuses on using a sociological lens to understand how social contexts, interpersonal relationships, and intervention programs influence teaching and learning.
  • Keonna Stanley, M.Ed, NCC (Author) Augusta University
    Keonna Stanley is a graduate student in counselor education at Augusta University with a specialization in clinical mental health counseling.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.492
Abstract
Dyslexia is a neurological condition in the brain that causes individuals to experience difficulties in reading. It exists around the world and affects about 20% of the population in the United States. Yet, many still go through their early education, either undiagnosed or not receiving the proper instructional support to be successful. In the present study, we conducted a mixed-method study of 116 stories of people who overcame their struggles with dyslexia by analyzing interview data via Understood.org. We synthesized the data by answering three questions designed to reveal their dyslexia struggles, turning points in life when interviewees used dyslexia to their advantage, and advice from their personal experiences to encourage others with dyslexia. Learning from their stories will inspire students with dyslexia and help educators identify ways to support this group of students. Implications for educational practices and future research are discussed.
Keywords
Affordances, Attitudes, Barriers, Content Analysis, Dyslexia, Learning Experience
References

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There are 23 references in total.
How to Cite
Kuo, N. C., Fisher, K. M., Jones, J., Hillis, S., Chen, I.-C., & Stanley, K. (2022). Understanding How Individuals Overcome Their Dyslexia: Struggles, Turning Points in Life, and Advice. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, 17(2), 94-110. https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.492

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  • Submitted May 2, 2022
  • Published June 15, 2022
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