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Issue 18: November 2023

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ON THE COVER

On the cover is Reuben Bainbridge. This issue covers the story of Reuben Bainbridge, a young talent from County Durham with a diverse career spanning acting, farming, barista work, animal training, and music. His life story highlights resilience in the face of dyspraxia, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, reflecting his journey through adversity, self-discovery, and embracing his unique abilities.

 


 

THANK YOU - CONTRIBUTORS

  • Carva King | Adolescent Literacy Specialist & ACT Test Prep Expert, Founder of theliteracylady.org
  • Kat Alexander | Operational Excellence Leader, Neurodiversity Advocate
  • Krishangi Shroff | Disability Advocate and Blogger
  • Lisa Stewart | Special Education Advocate and IEP Coach advocating4faireducation.com
  • Mathew Spence
  • Melanie Brethour | Structured Literacy Teacher, Dyslexia Advocate, and Founder of Decoding Dyslexia Quebec and SOAR With Dyslexia
  • Nilam Agrawal | Disability Rights Advocate, Board member and Co-Chair of Outreach for National Family Association for Deaf-Blind, and Ambassador to India for Usher Syndrome Coalition
  • Reuben Bainbridge | Actor and Musician
  • Simon da Roza | Principal Consultant, Exceptional Learners xceptionallearners.com
  • Zishan Zaffar | Award-winning Writer, Director & Creative Producer

 


 

THANK YOU - DYSTINCT CONTRIBUTORS

  • Ava Eldridge | Illustrator | 10 Years Old | Dyslexia | NSW, Australia
  • Poppy Syson | Illustrator | 11 Years Old | Melbourne, Australia
Start Reading Dystinct magazine

Issue 18: November 2023

ON THE COVER

On the cover is Reuben Bainbridge. This issue covers the story of Reuben Bainbridge, a young talent from County Durham with a diverse career spanning acting, farming, barista work, animal training, and music. His life story highlights resilience in the face of dyspraxia, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, reflecting his journey through adversity, self-discovery, and embracing his unique abilities.

 


 

THANK YOU - CONTRIBUTORS

  • Carva King | Adolescent Literacy Specialist & ACT Test Prep Expert, Founder of theliteracylady.org
  • Kat Alexander | Operational Excellence Leader, Neurodiversity Advocate
  • Krishangi Shroff | Disability Advocate and Blogger
  • Lisa Stewart | Special Education Advocate and IEP Coach advocating4faireducation.com
  • Mathew Spence
  • Melanie Brethour | Structured Literacy Teacher, Dyslexia Advocate, and Founder of Decoding Dyslexia Quebec and SOAR With Dyslexia
  • Nilam Agrawal | Disability Rights Advocate, Board member and Co-Chair of Outreach for National Family Association for Deaf-Blind, and Ambassador to India for Usher Syndrome Coalition
  • Reuben Bainbridge | Actor and Musician
  • Simon da Roza | Principal Consultant, Exceptional Learners xceptionallearners.com
  • Zishan Zaffar | Award-winning Writer, Director & Creative Producer

 


 

THANK YOU - DYSTINCT CONTRIBUTORS

  • Ava Eldridge | Illustrator | 10 Years Old | Dyslexia | NSW, Australia
  • Poppy Syson | Illustrator | 11 Years Old | Melbourne, Australia

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS ISSUE

Reading Between the Lines: Dyslexia's Emotional Toll in Home and School Life
- by Melanie Brethour [Click here to read]

Melanie Brethour sheds light on the emotional toll of dyslexia in both home and school life, emphasizing the importance of early identification, effective reading instruction, and collaborative support from parents and teachers to help dyslexic children thrive academically and emotionally.

Dystinct Journey of Zishan Zaffar
- by Zahra Nawaz [Click here to read]

Zishan Zaffar, an accomplished writer, director, and creative producer, reflects on his personal journey of navigating life with dyslexia, offering a powerful narrative of his struggles, resilience, and ultimate success while emphasizing the significance of raising awareness and providing support for individuals with learning differences in the creative and educational fields.

From Frustration to Triumph: Strategies for Parents Advocating for Their Child's Education
- by Lisa Stewart [Click here to read]

Lisa Stewart offers a comprehensive guide for parents navigating the education system, particularly when advocating for children with special needs, empowering them to foster success and happiness in their child's educational journey.

Dystinct Journey of Kat Alexander
- by Kat Alexander [Click here to read]

Kat Alexander shares her lifelong journey with ADHD and dyslexia, recounting the challenges, societal perceptions, and self-discovery, ultimately embracing neurodiversity and advocating for self-acceptance and love.

From Awareness to Change: My Search for Equity in Education
- by Nilam Agrawal [Click here to read]

Nilam Agrawal, a dedicated mother advocating for children with Usher syndrome, recounts her family's journey through the complexities of DeafBlindness and dyslexia, underscoring the critical call for heightened awareness, challenging low expectations, and reshaping educational approaches to ensure equitable opportunities for those with sensory disabilities.

Issue 18: The Right to Read
- by Krishangi Shroff [Click here to read]

Krishangi Shroff, a determined young disability advocate, shares a poignant account of her struggle to exercise her right to read chapter books in elementary school. Faced with discrimination due to her disability, Krishangi's narrative highlights the importance of challenging restrictive reading practices and advocating for equal opportunities in education.

More than just a number
- by Carva King [Click here to read]

Carva King sheds light on the hurdles faced by dyslexic students in standardized testing, advocating for a personalized, outside-the-box educational approach. Her article highlights the story of Brenham Dewitt, a dyslexic student who successfully navigated challenges, underscoring the crucial collaboration between educators and parents to help students recognize their value beyond test scores and navigate the balance between individuality and standardized assessments.

Dystinct Journey of Mathew Spence
- by Zahra Nawaz [Click here to read]

Mathew Spence overcame the challenges of dyslexia, ADHD, and ASD, defied discouraging predictions, and earned a psychology degree at the age of 42. He is now planning to establish a counselling service for individuals on the autism spectrum while advocating for neurodiversity and unique paths to success.

The Ableist Lenses: When Neurotypical Paradigms Fail Neurodivergent Individuals
- by Simon da Roza [Click here to read]

Simon da Roza examines the struggles faced by neurodivergent individuals against neurotypical standards, emphasizing the need to shift societal paradigms, celebrate neurodiversity, and embrace a "double empathy" approach for genuine inclusivity.

Dystinct Journey of Reuben Bainbridge
- by Zahra Nawaz [Click here to read]

The journey of Reuben Bainbridge, a young talent from County Durham with a diverse career spanning acting, farming, barista work, animal training, and music. His life story highlights resilience in the face of dyspraxia, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, reflecting his journey through adversity, self-discovery, and embracing his unique abilities.

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