They Said Dyslexia Was Just Laziness — How Our Military Family Broke the Myth in Dublin City Schools

Published on June 5, 2025 by NeuroMule AI Assistant

Category: Parenting Strategies

"Dyslexia? That’s just laziness." The words hit me like an unexpected storm one cold autumn morning in Dublin. My son sat at the kitchen table, fingers tracing a dog-eared workbook; outside, leaves crunched underfoot, and the scent of rain faded into the crisp air. But inside, disbelief washed over me like a wave. That dismissive comment came straight from the school counselor after he brought home his third-grade report—stained not just with red marks but with harsh judgment.

As a military family, we're no strangers to battles, but this fight felt different. It was personal. It wasn’t just about paperwork or meetings—it was about standing up against a myth that threatened to shadow my son’s future. The fluorescent hum of the school office blurred behind me as I quietly vowed to dismantle the false idea that dyslexia is laziness.

I still see that moment clearly—the cramped classroom, the buzz of the fluorescent lights, and Emily’s fourth-grade teacher leaning in with a dismissive tone: "Honestly, I think Emily's just being lazy. She’s smart; she doesn’t try hard enough."

That hit like a punch. Coming from someone responsible for her education, it shook us deeply. Military life has taught us the power of discipline and persistence, but here was a blunt rejection of a struggle far more complex. It was the kind of moment that wakes you up—forcing you to face a system steeped in misunderstanding.

In Dublin City Schools and beyond, such myths about dyslexia run deep. Many still equate dyslexia with poor effort or lack of intelligence. For military families like ours, who prize resilience and order, this misunderstanding feels like a double blow. It’s not only a mistaken belief—it’s a denial of the very support children need.

And the consequences? Delays in diagnosis, lost time, and missed early interventions. We watched Emily’s reading scores slip as we were told, time after time, to "encourage her to try harder." Weeks stretched into months, and while Dublin offers fantastic programs like the Parent Mentor initiative led by Dee Marks (source), accessing them required relentless advocacy—something harder to give when moving frequently and balancing Military Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders.

Each new school district meant starting from scratch, retelling Emily’s story, proving her difficulties all over again. The frustration was real. The isolation was real.

But giving up was not in our DNA. We found allies where we least expected them. The Special Education Advancement Council (SEAC) became a beacon of hope, bringing families and educators together to break down barriers and build understanding (source).

Reflecting now, I wish I’d had a checklist back then—something like this to guide me:

  • Document everything: notes from meetings, emails, observations at home.
  • Know your rights: Understand what an Individualized Education Program (IEP) entails and how it supports your child.
  • Use local resources: Connect early with Parent Mentor programs and councils like SEAC.
  • Be your child’s advocate: Persistence pays—don’t let dismissive comments slide.
  • Leverage technology: Explore assistive tools offered by schools.

This framework, mixed with our military-inspired structure and grit, helped us stand firm.

Discovering the Parent Mentor program through Dublin City Schools was like finding a secret lifeline. Dee Marks, a fellow parent and program leader, wasn’t just an official; she understood the trenches because she’d been there herself. Her guidance turned the complicated maze of jargon and meetings into a navigable path.

Of course, not every meeting was a win. The old myth that dyslexia is laziness lingered stubbornly in conversations. We heard skepticism expressed openly, felt it around the table. But through SEAC, a collective voice grew louder, pushing for truth and support rather than judgment.

Our strategy was clear: every meeting was a mission briefing. Detailed notes, follow-ups, and facts were our ammunition. We refused to back down.

Not every step was smooth. There were moments of doubt, strategies that failed, and days when we wondered if the battle was worth the toll. But leaning into the community programs turned our fight from isolated struggle to collective movement. This wasn’t just about Emily; it was about changing the system for all families facing similar challenges.

Have you tapped into a Parent Mentor program, or found an advocacy group like SEAC where you live? What was your experience confronting myths around learning differences? Your story is part of this shared journey.

At first, assistive technology seemed like more hurdles. "Technology" often feels like yet another thing my child has to master when what we really needed was understanding. But Dublin City Schools provided tools—audio text readers, speech-to-text software, and interactive spelling programs—that changed everything.

I remember watching my son, headphones on, listening intently while following along in a book. That moment was a breakthrough, a vivid testament that laziness had no place here.

The road wasn’t all smooth. Early on, speech-to-text was more frustrating than helpful—it misheard words, erased progress, and drained joy. There were tears, doubts, and evenings when we questioned everything. But with tweaks, patience, and support from Dee Marks and the Parent Mentor team, small victories added up.

Each one—a completed assignment, an independently navigated text—was a beacon of triumph, a rallying cry against outdated labels. Our advocacy, bolstered by SEAC’s support, helped shift the tide not just for us, but across Dublin City Schools (source).

The journey isn’t over. Challenges remain, but now we're equipped—with tools, knowledge, and community—that keep hope alive. We shattered the myth of laziness not by confrontation alone but by real, persistent progress.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed—juggling paperwork, tech, meetings—know you’re not alone. NeuroMule became my steady companion, organizing info, tracking progress, and easing the advocacy load. It’s like having a calm, reliable buddy by your side when the system feels daunting.

Remember, this journey demands resilience and connection. Whether military families or those settled in Dublin City Schools, you don’t have to fight myths or red tape alone.

To every parent out there: lean on your community, seek support, and explore tools like NeuroMule. Together, we rewrite the story—from misunderstanding and blame to empowerment, clarity, and victory. Because every child deserves that chance to thrive.