Dyslexic talents discussed

57-year-old artist John Martin Borg only realised he suffered from dyslexia some two-and-half years ago when his daughter, a facilitator, spoke about the problem.

Mr Borg, who was taking part at a Malta Dyslexic Association seminar “Dyslexic Talents – Engines of Discovery” said that growing up, there was a lot of tension but he now realised that the style of his art was very much due to the anger and suffering he experienced in his childhood.

But in spite of everything, his father believed in him and he still managed to get a university degree.

He now realised that his artistic talents were due to his dyslexia.

The seminar was well-attended, especially by educators and facilitators. It highlighted the strengths of dyslexics and said dyslexic children should not be assessed in the same way as others.

Interactive lectures on understanding, dealing and helping dyslexic children and their parents were given during the seminar

Association chairman and founder member Carmen Muscat said there was a lot of awareness but it was not enough.

She acknowledged that a lot had been done but called for a change in the format of public examinations to include more verbal assessment.