Stories in Sound: Mummy Am I Stupid?

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Mummy Am I Stupid?

BBC Radio Ulster - Stories in Sound, Mummy Am I Stupid?

A mother’s journey with her young son to overcome dyslexia and teach him to read.

When her bright eight-year-old son Shea could hardly read a word, journalist Ciara Riddell decided to teach him herself, unlocking the code to reading and dispelling the stigma of dyslexia.

Two years ago, despite interventions at school, journalist Ciara Riddell’s bright, eight-year-old son, Shea, could hardly read a word.  It resulted in him asking a question no parent wants to hear - 'Mummy am I Stupid?' So Ciara decided to take on the task to unlock the code to reading and teach him herself. 

This is the story of a mother and son and their quest to defeat the social stigma of dyslexia and the crippling anguish that goes with it. Ciara explores Shea’s struggles at school and how the latest popular theories proved expensive but ineffective. She tells how she had to rethink the way letters and their sounds are taught and how sheer hard work and determination made the difference in the end. Shea is now ten years old and just starting his final year of primary school and the documentary reveals the huge progress he has made.

There are many myths and misunderstandings around dyslexia - including the false belief that difficulties in learning to read mean you are less intelligent. It is a lifelong condition that you never grow out of - but it does not need to prevent anyone from achieving their full potential both in education and in work.

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