Reading books specially designed for dyslexic children and other reluctant readers are now available in Hong Kong.
Barrington Stoke, a British publishing firm run by teacher and special needs expert Patience Thompson, offers stories written by popular authors but abridged and presented in easy-to-read type and on yellow paper. Children with learning difficulties help in the editing process, so students with similar problems can cope with the text.
Ms Thompson was in Hong Kong earlier this year to conduct seminars to increase teachers' awareness of dyslexia, how to identify it and how to help. She said that one in 10 children suffered from the condition, which had now been proved by brain scanning technology to be caused by a range of neurological differences.
Dyslexic children were no less intelligent than others and, because of strengths in creativity, often went on to outstanding achievements in adult life. Greater emphasis on phonics tended to help them develop literacy skills.
Impressed with what was being done in Hong Kong, she said: 'Teachers are alert, interested and want to help.' But awareness was still only at the initial stages. 'It is a question of teacher training.'
