Life Experiences of Individuals Living with Dyslexia in Malaysia: A Phenomenological Study

Chan Oga & Fatimah Haron

World Conference on Educational Sciences 2012, 2 -5 February, 2012

Barcelona, Spain

Outline

What is dyslexia?Past Research

The Current StudyResearch Question

MethodologyAnalysisResults

ImplicationsLimitationsConclusion

What is DYSLEXIA?

Dys lexis Dyslexia

Definition today: A specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin, characterized by difficulties in accurate or fluent word recognition, spelling and decoding abilities despite higher cognitive abilities and effective classroom experience, where comorbidity in other academic or cognitive areas such as attention, arithematic and self-expression is common (Reid, Shaywitz & Shaywitz, 2003)

A specific learning disability…

Learning disability

Listening

Speaking

Reading

Writing

arithmetic

Attention

… neurobiological in origin

…characterized by difficulties in accurate or fluent word recognition, spelling and decoding abilities

Quickly Accurately Comprehend

Fluent reading/spelling

*Research indicates dyslexic readers can improve as they mature but continue to lack fluency

…despite higher cognitive abilities and effective classroom experience

*A classroom experience effective for others may not be effective for dyslexic individuals

…comorbidity in other academic or cognitive areas such as attention, mathematics and self-expression is common

Is dyslexia really a disability or a difference?

Disability or difference?

4% tertiary students are dyslexic and fail exam or were on the

verge of being kicked out of varsity

Research showed that dyslexic individuals

are significantly more creative than non-

dyslexics

VS

Abilities of dyslexics can be fostered with the right support.

Dyslexia in Context

5-10% of the world’s populationThat’s 1 or 2 out of every 20 persons

314,000 Malaysian studentsHighly unrecognized in Malaysia

Literature review of life experiences of Individuals Living with Dyslexia

Experiences

Feeling different

Reacting to the

diagnosis

A mass of emotions

Contending

Finding a niche

Current Research Problem

Abilities of dyslexics can be fostered with the right support. However, how would we know what is the right support for dyslexics in Malaysia if we do not know what they have been experiencing in Malaysia?

Research QuestionWhat are the life experiences of individuals living with

dyslexia in Malaysia?

Research MethodologyA phenomenological approach was adopted

Individual semi-structured interview

5 participants

Subjected to the watchful eyes of others and their negative reactions

Subjected to

Watchful eyes of others Punishment/

skepticism, negative

comments & name calling

Being misunderstood

Misconception of the

condition

People’s ignorance

Salient Experience in Malaysia:

Implications

1) increase efforts of instilling awareness of dyslexia in Malaysia

2) educate the public about the nature, limitation as well as the potential of individuals with dyslexia

3) rectify the education system that marginalizes the educational opportunities of dyslexics.

Conclusion

This research has only uncovered the tip of the iceberg of experiences faced

by dyslexics in Malaysia.

More research needs to be done to understand their life experiences

better.