IntroductionThis paper researches the experience of dyslexics at school and how these experiences can either positively drive them to success or negatively drive them into helplessness and possibly crime.The nature vs nurture argument has a long history; from John Locke [1] in 1690 arguing that humans begin in a 'blank state' and that we are the product of our environment and experiences. Of course Darwin [2] and Galton [3] should not be discounted in this discussion, and this argument is summarized in Pinker [4]. Locke, Darwin and more modern thinkers have argued that we are the product of our environment, and all human experiences are placed into the mixing pot to create the individuals we are today. Thus in the case of dyslexics, who experience 10 or more years of hardship at school, where learning in classrooms is not differentiated to their needs, and by teachers that do not recognise they have different learning needs and requirements.It is argued that some teachers have perceived un-identified dyslexic children as 'lazy and 'stupid' through: (1) a lack of dyslexia/ SEN awareness; (2) a lack of understanding of dyslexia/SEN; and (3) a lack of training to identify and differentiate to engage all learners in their classrooms, creating a lack of educational opportunity. If success breeds success, then failure must also breed failure, thus it is argued:• Successful dyslexics are a product of using failure in a positive way (resilience) and more success reinforces this positivity• Unsuccessful dyslexics are a product of using failure in a negative way (learned helplessness) and more failure reinforces this negativity
Literature ReviewThis paper uses a broad empirical review to introduce the reader to different aspects of a dyslexics journey through education and in the workplace, and theories to understand their post-school experience. Sections include: dyslexia, school experience/emotional coping in dyslexics, social exclusion, defining success, successful dyslexics, unsuccessful dyslexics, the disability paradox, dyslexia and depression/ mental health, and post-traumatic growth. Elliot and Grigorenko's [6] recent influential but controversial review of literature argued that the term dyslexia poorly defines a condition that affects not only reading, writing, spelling, but also short-term memory, balance, organisation, visual difficulties. There are also difficultly with no single model of diagnosis, with diagnosis Abstract Introduction: This paper investigates school-based trauma and the life-long post-school effects of such trauma, creating successful/unsuccessful individuals in society.