The Code Read Dyslexia Network has launched its “Read My Frustration” campaign, designed to raise awareness of the pain and prevalence of dyslexia and drive for better outcomes for all dyslexics.
Dyslexia is the most common learning difficulty, yet the network said Australia is failing to properly support those with dyslexia.
Dyslexia is a brain-based condition that primarily affects reading, writing and spelling, with one in 10 Australians having dyslexia, according to the Dyslexia Association. People with dyslexia find it difficult to ‘decode’ words, meaning they experience problems making sense of individual words, which makes learning to read and write difficult. It’s a lifelong condition and often runs in families.
Teachers in Australia are currently not trained to teach reading in the most effective way for all children and they receive little to no training about dyslexia, with the current teaching practice to wait for children to fail before intervening. This has led to 19 per cent of Australian Year 4 students not achieving proficient reading levels, equivalent to more than 50,000 students per year and one fifth of children at risk of reading failure.
“The failure and underachievement of students with dyslexia at school is both a human right and a public health issue,” Dr Sandra Marshall, Chairperson for Code Read Dyslexia Network, said.
“Our Read My Frustration campaign aims to raise awareness of the prevalence of dyslexia in Australia, while conveying the unnecessary pain and frustration caused by unrecognised dyslexia. We know early identification, reading instruction informed by science, and supportive classroom environments would allow all dyslexics to achieve their potential. But that’s not happening.
“Beyond awareness, Code Read Dyslexia Network’s key campaign goal is to change people’s view of dyslexia and to emphasise that dyslexia is not linked to intelligence, and that those with dyslexia can learn to read. High expectations for all students are critical.”
Dyslexia occurs across its own spectrum from mild to severe and across the entire IQ range. With early identification of struggling readers, and early evidenced based intervention, all but the most severely affected dyslexics can be taught to read.
The network said early intervention is best practice, and if delayed beyond Year Three, 75 per cent of students will still be behind their age-related peers when they’re in Year Nine. Intervention, accommodations, and support are crucial to improve reading and subsequent life outcomes, at any age.
Currently, 44 per cent of Australian adults are functionally illiterate, according to the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, meaning they lack the literacy skills required to cope with the complex demands of modern life. By introducing testing and support for dyslexia in the foundational and formative years of Australians lives, Code Read said these numbers could drastically reduce and ensure those with dyslexia are provided the opportunity to operate at their full potential.
Code Read Dyslexia Network worked with Adelaide Advertising agency KWP! to create an emotive campaign which will feature across TV, billboards, online and social media.
View the 60-second TV advert HERE.
For more information visit codereadnetwork.org
Image: Code Read Dyslexia Network
