Dyslexia and Self-esteem

Students with dyslexia may experience low self-esteem, feelings of anxiety and/or a lack of motivation. For some it may turn to behaviour difficulties or school refusal. They may feel they have failed to keep up with their peers from a very early age in achieving key skills. Teachers may not have understood their difficulties. Identification of dyslexia may have been delayed for some reason. Some may have been accused of being lazy. By the time they are in secondary school, such feelings may be deep-rooted having developed over several years.

This webinar aims to:

• Look at the complex difficulties that low self esteem poses for some students with dyslexia.

• Examine the contribution that Neurodiversity and the Dyslexia Friendly school can make to increase self-esteem.

• Suggest possible strategies that might help students cope and develop self esteem.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will

1. understand how low self-esteem can affect some students at second level

2. will be introduced to possible strategies to help students with low self esteem.

Facilitator: Wyn McCormack

Wyn McCormack worked as guidance counsellor and special education teacher as well as being the parent of three sons with dyslexia. She has designed and presented courses on dyslexia for teachers, parents and students since the 1990's. She is the author of the Factsheets on Dyslexia at Second Level (2014), Lost for Words 3rd Ed. 2007, and co-author of Dyslexia, an Irish Perspective 2nd Ed 2010.