"He’s Just Not That Smart"

Facing the Words That No Mother Wants to Hear

“He’s just not that smart.” Those are the words that could haunt any mother. My name is Lynn Greenberg and at the age of six, my son Jonathan was diagnosed with Dyslexia.

I am the mother of four children, Jonathan being my youngest. Every parent knows that you can raise multiple kids, in the same home, treat them exactly the same, yet somehow they all wind up being different and learning differently. In this case, Jonathan’s learning style was extremely different. 

When my three oldest were growing up, they loved to sing their ABCs, watch Sesame Street and read books. Jonathan was not interested; not one bit. When he started pre-school, the teachers told me that he liked to act out and wouldn’t listen, and once we arrived in Kindergarten, it was “Jonathan, he’s just not that smart.” Their rationale was that Jonathan could memorize a story, but couldn’t read it. I’m not that parent that instantly says “not my son,” but I knew he was intelligent, not a troublemaker and not simply a late learner because he was a boy. I knew in my heart that they were wrong and something was off. I suspected that Jonathan had a learning difference, and since the school couldn’t help him, nor did they try, I was going to find a way myself.

Getting a diagnosis was not that easy, but we were very lucky. We had a network of friends with connections to doctors and I was determined to find the right one. I knew in my heart, Jonathan was not “not smart,” so when he was finally tested and diagnosed as a classic dyslexic, I felt a sense of relief.  Along with that very same relief, however, came the fear that I wouldn’t be able to find the right tools to help him learn how to read. I kept wondering how could a person succeed in this world without being able to read and write? 

I will admit that I went into complete investigator mode. Twenty years ago doing research wasn’t as simple as typing the word “dyslexia” into Google on a computer. I started talking to friends, reading books and trying to find out as much information as I could find. I purchased a copy of “Overcoming Dyslexia,” written by Drs. Sally and Jonathan Shaywitz, who at the time, and still are, two of the world’s leading experts on reading and dyslexia. The book became my guide to everything about dyslexia and helped me to understand that while dyslexia cannot be outgrown, it could definitely be overcome. In other words, Jonathan had the same potential as every other child, he just needed to be taught differently.

I was told about a school named The Windward School, which catered to children with dyslexia and language based learning differences. I kept my options open and looked at other schools just in case,  but I knew that Windward would be the best option. I kept my fingers and toes crossed that he would be accepted and my wish came true with his admission for the next school year, which was to be second grade. I watched a boy who was very unhappy in his first school, flourish at Windward, both socially and academically. This was where he belonged; I knew it and so did he. 

After Windward, Jon attended the Masters School, a mainstream progressive school where he thrived and focused on his art. They really helped Jon become an independent thinker who enjoys learning. 

Jonathan is now 24 and is fully remediated. He is super creative, currently in grad school and will be pursuing his MFA next.  Recently, Jonathan and I wrote a book together, the first in the Creative Cab Company series called, “Robby the Dyslexic Taxi And the Airport Adventure,” which he also illustrated. The storyline follows a dyslexic taxi who can’t read signs and has to use his superpowers to navigate the streets to get his passenger to the airport on time for his plane. 

I like to say that dyslexia isn’t a negative, but rather is a superpower. If you are told that your child isn’t smart because they can’t learn like everyone else in their class, and you know in your heart that they are wrong, follow your gut. You know your child better than anyone else. Help them find a way to learn in a way that works for them so you can help them find their individual superpower. They may just be the next dyslexic CEO of a Fortune 500 company, President of the United States or have their painting hung at the Museum of Modern Art. 

Best,
Lynn

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