Dystinct Magazine

May 2023

Dystinct Magazine is the ultimate resource of inspiration and expertise for families and educators of children with learning difficulties. Dystinct Magazine seeks to find the extra ordinary that lies within the ordinary. Every child with learning difficulties is blessed to be distinctively different. We have set out to identify and nurture these differences to instil a strong sense of achievement in children who are often forgotten about. We also bring to you relevant Up-to-date evodemce based advise from leading experts in the industry to help you navigate the path to success. We have exclusive interviews and content within the magazine, giving you fantastic insights into the world of learning difficulties - dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and dyspraxia. At Dystinct, we care about our children and want to help them find their wings and fly. This is a platform for children with learning difficulties to have their stories told and voices heard.

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in this issue

IN THIS ISSUE

EDITOR’S NOTE

For every issue, I pick my favourite quote to reflect on in my note to all our readers. In this issue, I found a few wonderful quotes that would make excellent talking points, but instead, I choose to share with you the response of 8-year-old Shane Feinstein when I asked him a seemingly simple question, “What do you think your life will be like in the future?” His response was as stunning as it was innocent. In the midst of all our adult concerns about career paths and worldly success for our children, Shane simply replied, “Fun.” We constantly strive to mould our children to fit society’s expectations while telling ourselves that we do all that we do to give them a future full of happiness and joy. Let us…

1 min

IN THIS ISSUE

DYSTINCT CONTRIBUTORS

Illustrator Abby de los Santos Age 10 Dyslexia San Antonio, Texas, USA Abby is in the fifth grade. She enjoys spending time with her friends and being creative. She loves taking her dog on walks and wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. Illustrator Abriana Atswei Adjoor Ablorh Age 12 Dyslexia Accra/Ghana I am currently in grade 7 of basic school in Ghana. My hobbies are drawing, activities that involves the use of hands and demonstrations. I like using the computer as well in developing PowerPoint presentations. Illustrator Ava Eldridge Age 9 Dyslexia NSW, Australia Ava loves art, animals, cooking, her family, playing the piano and she really enjoys reading! Her newfound love of aerial acrobatics keeps her busy. Illustrator Ben Hartling Age 13 Dyslexia Halifax, Canada Ben…

2 min

IN THIS ISSUE

DYSLEXIA

A child that cries every day as they go to school does not feel safe at school. A child who misbehaves at school but not at home does not feel safe at school. A child who feels physically ill Monday through Friday does not feel safe at school. Every day many students with dyslexia walk through the doors of their classrooms, take a big deep breath in, and then let it all out. They hope that on this day, they won’t be called on to read in front of their classmates. They hope they won’t be called on to write on the board. They hope that someone won’t suggest they are not trying hard enough. They hope that someone doesn’t make comments about their accommodations or withhold them. For these…

6 min

IN THIS ISSUE

NATURE IS AWESOME!

Sometimes in school, I look at the trees when I am distracted because they are incredible. I always make shapes and words out of the branches. When I raise my hand, and it takes a long time for the teacher to call on me, I look at the trees and put what I was going to say into the branches, so I don’t forget. Then when the teacher comes to my desk, she says, “What are you doing, Shane?” and I say, “I’m looking at the trees because they are awesome!” Then the teacher asks, “Why did you raise your hand?” I reply, “Because I know the answer.” I look at the trees, and they remind me of what I was going to say. I tell her the answer, and…

3 min

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Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Families WHERE DO WE START?

The neurodiversity paradigm has exploded within the world of inclusion, and rightly so. Neurodiversity relates to the different ways we all learn, process, and experience the world. Those that learn in the most typical way are neurotypical. Those that learn and experience the world in a way that is categorically different to the neurotypical experience are neurodivergent. Within the neurodivergent umbrella, we include diagnoses such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia/DCD. Within the neurodiversity paradigm, we look at these diagnoses as learning differences with strengths, difficulties and neutral aspects, as opposed to learning difficulties. The neurodiversity paradigm focuses on creating enabling environments that reduce barriers. Therefore, we can see our families and homes as an environment that requires adaptation to enable our children to thrive. The final aspect of the…

6 min

IN THIS ISSUE

Want your child to be featured on Dystinct Magazine?

SUBMIT YOUR CHILD’S STORY FOR A CHANCE TO BE FEATURED ON THE DYSTINCT MAGAZINE SUBMISSION CATEOGORIES Business/Entrepreneurship: • Does your child run their own business venture? Motivation/Inspiration: • Do you have a story about your child that showcases success or overcoming struggles/challenges? Exceptional Skills/Talents: • Is your child excelling in a specific field or skill set? E.g. art, sport, dance, public speaking, wood working, gardening, metal work, etc DYSTINCT.ORG SUBMIT YOUR STORY…

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