Studying with multiple "dys" disorders

Since the latest version of the DSM diagnostic book, "dys" disorders have been called specific learning disorders. Whatever they're called, however, they're still very tiring in the day-to-day lives of those affected. In general, "regular" brains end up automating principles such as reading, arithmetic, writing and so on. However, those suffering from these disorders cannot rely on these mechanisms.

This is the case, in this radio program, of Mélody, a Masters student who has to live with dyslexia, dysorthographia, dyscalculia and attention deficit disorder on a daily basis. It's a pretty potent cocktail, and one that led some in her life to predict that she'd never make it far in school. Fortunately, this prediction turned out to be completely wrong. Nevertheless, as the young woman recounts, these additional difficulties require more time than her colleagues in reading, writing assignments or taking exams.

For a long time, specific learning difficulties were linked to a lack of intelligence. We now know that this could not be further from the truth. They are simply dysfunctions, the cause of which is not yet fully understood, that complicate certain skills.

Moreover, the French- and English-speaking world is more prone to these problems, given the large number of phonemes and specific rules involved, compared with, for example, so-called phonemic languages such as Italian. Support from both family and school seems to be the key to enabling people like Mélody to flourish in spite of everything.

Running time: 32min52