Emily Peluso

Not Like The Others Emily Peluso

While there are many reasons for children to feel as though they are 'not like the others' - who feel misunderstood, unacceptable and/or inferior - high on the list is the often undiagnosed disability known as dyslexia. Vaguely defined as an 'unexpected difficulty in learning how to read in those with normal intelligence', dyslexia is much more common than is currently recognized and much more complex than simply not being able to learn to read.

Since it is not well understood, there is a huge gap in the education system that many children fall into and are then left struggling and wondering what is wrong with them. Many are assumed to be 'unteachable', assigned to special needs classes and often fall so far behind they never catch up and then drop out of school before graduation.

It is often the case that dyslexia, if diagnosed at all, is not considered a possibility until 3rd or 4th grade. By that time children are seriously struggling. If reading truly is fundamental, then why is it so difficult to recognize that not all children can learn to read by one standard, that some children need a different teaching technique and that it does exist and it does work?

Not Like the Others is not just a story book for young readers it is also a resource of information for parents and teachers who are desperate for answers.