what is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that mainly affects reading and writing among people, young and old.
According to the International Dyslexia Association, Dyslexia is a neurologically-based, often familial disorder which interferes with the acquisition and processing of language.
Varying in degree of severity, it is manifested by difficulties in receptive and expressive language, in reading, writing, spelling, handwriting and sometimes in arithmetic. It is said to run in families, and that several genes are responsible for this difficulty.
Brain scanning studies suggest that the connections between different language areas of the brain of dyslexics do not work as efficiently as they should though these differences are not linked to intelligence. It is evident that many dyslexic people have strengths and abilities in tasks that involve creative and visually-based thinking.
The ability of people with dyslexia to learn how to speak, decode, improve their memory, sequence and organize requires a great deal of specialized instruction.
Dyslexia is not a barrier to achievement and success. If properly recognized within a society, steps can be taken to provide suitable teaching and training along with compensatory strategies and resources. And this is what is done at CeLL.
Educational Needs of Dyslexics?
CeLL believes that the existing educational institutions are not geared to providing the facilities and instruction for dyslexics and other special-needs pupils. Currently, there is no other institution in the country offering the multi-faceted training facilities and services required by such people.
At the rollout of the Uganda Government 'Universal Primary Education (UPE)' policy in 1997, it emerged that out of 7.8 million children who enrolled in the ordinary primary schools, slightly 20% of them were at risk of dropping out of school due to the language-based disorder - Dyslexia.
Although dyslexic children are admitted in normal schools, teachers are limited in their capacity to teach such children. Children with such disorders cannot do well when put with other children and taught in the same manner as and with the same tools as other normal children.
Teachers of such children need special orientation, facilities and skills to cope with the unique needs of dyslexic children. These facilities and skills are needed at all levels of education. Unfortunately, they are lacking in the majority of schools. Consequently, dyslexic children are not accorded a chance to progress further in education.
CeLL promoters came out therefore to establish an institution that offers life-long educational services to such people, using the best teachers and facilitators. We have facilities in an environment that helps get the best out of these talented but disadvantaged people. We harness their resources and skill for national development.