I remember studying about patterns in Kindergarten. We were told by Miss Smith (named changed, of course) anything that repeats is a pattern and given colorful shapes to make patterns with. Ok, that sounded like a fun exercise, so I started making a pattern that made sense to me- a long string of alternating colors and shapes. I remember really enjoying myself – and wondering why my classmates patterns were so small. Maybe the teacher would be impressed by my efforts!
I hadn’t yet gotten around to creating the “repeat” when my teacher came around to check on us. Miss Smith looked over my work and scolded me for not doing my assignment. Although I tried to explain to her that it was just a really LONG pattern, she didn’t agree (she might have told me it wasn’t a pattern at all) and told me to do something simpler (i.e. a “real” pattern.)
After that I dejectedly pushed around the blocks (making shorter, more easily recognizable patterns, though I didn’t know if they would be short enough for her.) Luckily, I never had to explain my toned down efforts to Miss Smith as she never came back around to us.
When I hear that “dyslexics think outside the box”- I’m always perplexed by it. Do I? Do I think outside the box? I honestly don’t know. I know sometimes, when given a set of instructions I can be completely literal about them and often am paralyzed by my desire to answer within parameters (read: inside the box) for fear of getting penalized for not answering “correctly”. I know that other times I can be given an assignment or instructions and be WAY off on another planet with my ideas (which can be met by a wide spectrum of reactions, let me tell you.)
I have, all my life, tried to find the “box”. I know there have been times when I tried to constantly stay “inside”… but that drives a Right-Brainer like me crazy pretty quickly.
So I’ve learned to compromise.
I live outside the box, loving my own world and the way I see things, blurring the difference between what might be normal and what might be dyslexic. When the occasion calls for it- I find out how to answer as normally as possible and do my best to adhere to that standard. No need for the majority of people to know how deep my eccentricity runs.
But I’ll enjoy it. And those close to me can at least tollerate it (and sometimes are greatly amused by it!)
And I think that’s a good way to live.
You are a genuis. Thinking out side of the books is what everyone wishes they could do. The only thing to learn is taking you, a round peg that is perfect already and fitting yourself in to, a square place. You think ahead of the problem and already sovled it while listen to the problem. Slowing down to think the problem given is not in you. Us with dyslexic are way ahead by 2 steps it hard to step back and explain how we do get the ansewer. That is what most people need in life the ansewer to how you got to A where were all are to C, when you didn’t touch B, to get there. We have trouble explain that. So slow down, relax, listen to the question answer the simple ansewer, even if it sounds wrong, because the ansewer you want to give is 2 question away. your not dumb, just to smart. We have the hardest time in school but in the real world we are conserted super people. Just breath try different was in you mind to slow you down to be in time with your teacher. I pick music. Space yourself listen to music that fit to you work or play it in your head to slow you down and listen to what is being asked or your reading to ansewer. You brain works faster then normal to hold the infromation and stay on the same problems as everyone else is relax. I you do get it wrong and you get the laugh and looks, most of the time more the half want to ansewer as you did and embased themselves. The teacher getting mad is her problem not your. “Ask and you shall recieve be slilent and the world passes you by.” Live, I found I was embassed in school with looks, talking, and jokes played on me. When I got out of school and saw the people who I felt were mean to me, were jelous that I had guts to speak my mind and live life as a brave as they wanted to. It hurt inside but the more you speak out the more you learn other things. Keep saying to youself I am a round peg being fit in a sqaure hole I just need a hammer that’s all.
Heather.
I am no shape. Not round or square, maybe both … a hegagon … and it’s ok. I don’t fit. But I do fit my shape and at 47 years old I know my shape …. I know it, I really do .. and .. like an old jumper… it fits me and I fit it. But it doesn’t fit anyone else.. and I’m ok with that. Just about. xxx