Author aims to unknot the world of dyslexia

A Waterford-based writer is to launch a book which aims to help children with dyslexia to recognise and understand their difficulties.

Words Get Knotted by Pippa Sweeney has been described as “a breath of fresh air” by an expert on early education.

Sweeney worked as a freelance illustrator in London in the 1980s and now lives in Co Waterford. Just before graduating from Univer-sity College Falmouth in 2011 with an MA in Illustration (Authorial Practice) she discovered her daughter had dyslexia and became passionate about raising awareness.

“‘To be honest, I was angry that something so fundamental could have been missed by so many people for so long and I became determined to produce a book that would empower children to recognise and understand their own difficulties.

“Although many children do receive the appropriate help, dyslexia is sometimes difficult to detect as children become adept at building strategies to cover up their difficulties in the classroom.

“Also, it is thought to be hereditary, therefore parents may have the same difficulties as their children and perceive these as quite normal.”

She was also diagnosed with dyslexia, following her daughter’s diagnosis.

The book is illustrated using visual metaphor — muddled wool and knitting being compared to muddled words and writing — to minimise lengthy explanations and because the author believes it to be an ideal method of illustration, having discovered the technique of needle felting during her MA studies.

“This was a huge moment in the development of the book as I had not only found a beautiful and colourful way to create characters, but this method mirrored the central metaphor in the book — of muddle to order.”

The UK’s national representative on the World Forum on Early Care and Education, Laura Henry, said Words Get Knotted was “a breath of fresh air” for children and their parents.

“This book will help children to articulate specific aspects of dyslexia and illustrate to other children the fundamentals of it,” said Ms Henry, who grew up without her own dyslexia being recognised.

“More importantly it stresses that every child has special skills and talents.”

The book will be published on Sept 13.