MORE SUPPORT FOR DYSLEXIA AS A SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITY

A Matter of Social Inclusion Urgency

www.tas.greens.org.au
Greens Leader Nick McKim MP today called on the Bartlett Government to increase and adequately fund specialised services for people of all ages who have dyslexia in order for them to have the same life chances, and fulfil the same life dreams, as people who do not live with learning difficulties in the Tasmanian community.

“Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty where a person has difficulties with language and words, and increased support services need to be adequately funded as a matter of social inclusion urgency,” Mr McKim said.

“While most people affected eventually learn to read, they may have severe spelling problems unless they get support and specialised education, and these specialised services are crucial for enabling people with dyslexia to realise their full potential.”

“Dyslexia affects approximately 10 per cent of the population, and despite having average, or above average intelligence, people with dyslexia have difficulty with reading, and with other language-based tasks such as writing and spelling.”

“Dyslexia is not a symptom of low intelligence, and for the record Leonardo da Vinci and Thomas Edison, both highly intelligent and creative people, had dyslexia.”

“As both Premier and Education Minister David Bartlett is in a strong position to move immediately to boost services and resource for those affected by dyslexia, and the Greens urge him to prioritise doing so.”
Nick McKim MP Greens Leader