'It's really tough.' Fairfield Ludlowe Student advocates for dyslexia awareness
"Dyslexia is not a disability, it's a superpower," Fairfield Ludlowe senior Madeline Vallillo says.
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It's been estimated that one in every five kids has dyslexia but diagnosing it too late could lead kids to fall behind in school.
A Fairfield student is seeking to change that.
"Dyslexia is not a disability, it's a superpower," Fairfield Ludlowe senior Madeline Vallillo says. "There are kids who go through high school and go through college and don't even know they have it."
Vallillo says she was diagnosed with severe dyslexia in the first grade.
Now, as a student ambassador for the Connecticut State Department of Education's Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities, she's pushing for more resources for students like her.
"Too many kids don't get diagnosed for it, and it becomes a problem later in life," Vallillo says. "It's really tough, but if you get a lot of awareness and understanding around it, I believe it could change."
On Oct. 7, she'll head to Waterbury for a Dyslexia Awareness Collaborative kickoff event, in the hopes of convincing legislators and school districts to provide more testing, consistent access to trained professionals, and evidence-based instruction.
"Dyslexia shouldn't stop you," Vallillo says, "You have to keep working at it, and work really hard to advocate for yourself and get the right help."
She's encouraging everyone to attend the free event during Dyslexia Awareness Month.
