A brief presentation of my research at the World Conference on Educational Sciences 2012 at Barcelona. Dyslexia is a condition, not very well researched in Malaysia as of end of 2011. Please feel free to ask for my full research paper if you wish to learn more of the life experience of individuals living with dyslexia in Malaysia.

1. Life Experiences of Individuals
Living with Dyslexia in Malaysia:
A Phenomenological Study
Chan Oga & Fatimah Haron
World Conference on Educational Sciences
2012, 2 -5 February, 2012
Barcelona, Spain

2. Outline
What is dyslexia?
Past Research
The Current Study
Research Question
Methodology
Analysis
Results
Implications
Limitations
Conclusion

3. What is DYSLEXIA?
Dys lexis Dyslexia
Definition today:
A specific learning disability that is neurobiological
in origin, characterized by difficulties in accurate
or fluent word recognition, spelling and decoding
abilities despite higher cognitive abilities and
effective classroom experience, where comorbidity
in other academic or cognitive areas such as
attention, arithematic and self-expression is
common (Reid, Shaywitz & Shaywitz, 2003)

4. A specific learning disability…
Listening
Attention
Speaking
Learning
disability
arithmetic
Reading
Writing

5. … neurobiological in origin

6. …characterized by difficulties in accurate
or fluent word recognition, spelling and
decoding abilities
Fluent
Quickly Accurately Comprehend reading/
spelling
*Research indicates dyslexic readers can improve as
they mature but continue to lack fluency

7. …despite higher cognitive abilities
and effective classroom experience
*A classroom experience effective for others may
not be effective for dyslexic individuals

8. …comorbidity in other academic or
cognitive areas such as
attention, mathematics and self-
expression is common

9. Is dyslexia really a disability or a
difference?

10. Disability or difference?
Research showed
4% tertiary students
that dyslexic
are dyslexic and fail VS
individuals are
exam or were on the
significantly more
verge of being
creative than non-
kicked out of varsity
dyslexics
Abilities of dyslexics can be fostered with the right
support.

11. Dyslexia in Context
5-10% of the world’s population
That’s 1 or 2 out of every 20
persons
314,000 Malaysian students
Highly unrecognized in Malaysia

12. Literature review of life experiences
of Individuals Living with Dyslexia
Feeling
different
Reacting
Finding a
to the
niche
diagnosis
Experiences
A mass of
Contending
emotions

13. Current Research
 Problem
 Abilities of dyslexics can be fostered with the right
support. However, how would we know what is the right
support for dyslexics in Malaysia if we do not know what
they have been experiencing in Malaysia?
 Research Question
 What are the life experiences of individuals living with
dyslexia in Malaysia?
 Research Methodology
 A phenomenological approach was adopted
 Individual semi-structured interview
 5 participants

14. Salient Experience in Malaysia:
Subjected to the watchful eyes of others and
their negative reactions
Watchful
eyes of
others
Punishment/
skepticism, n
People’s
egative
ignorance
comments &
name calling
Subjected
to
Misconception
of the Being
condition misunderstood

15. Implications
 1) increase efforts of instilling awareness
of dyslexia in Malaysia
 2) educate the public about the
nature, limitation as well as the potential
of individuals with dyslexia
 3) rectify the education system that
marginalizes the educational opportunities
of dyslexics.

16. Conclusion
This research has only uncovered the
tip of the iceberg of experiences faced
by dyslexics in Malaysia.
More research needs to be done to
understand their life experiences
better.