Sally: How comics led my son to conquer his dyslexia
AS a broadcaster and writer she has had a lifetime of working with words.
But BBC news anchor Sally Magnusson has disclosed that dyslexia left her son struggling at school.
Rossie Stone, 26, was diagnosed with the condition when he was 11 and spent hours studying for exams just to scrape a pass.
But he used his love of comics to transform his revision notes and improve his grades, and he is now publishing his own educational comics to help children who struggle with reading.
Miss Magnusson, 62, said: ‘Rossie was struggling to learn and retain information, and he was eventually diagnosed with dyslexia.
‘My other children were learning in different ways and I could tell they were having a lot less difficulty than him. He has always been very diligent. This will be common to any parent who has a child with difficulties learning – you watch them trying so desperately to succeed.
‘It wasn’t grades I wanted, but only for him to feel fulfilled. But he has turned this into something immensely positive.’
Mr Stone excelled at art and drama but when it came to maths, English and science, he was behind classmates at Glasgow High School.
He has a form of dyslexia that means he finds it difficult to process information.
Up to one in every 20 people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia, a learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling.
He said: ‘Growing up I was at the bottom of anything academic – anything involving the written word I found difficult to process.
‘I was called stupid. I really, really tried but my exam grades did not reflect my hard work.’
Then Mr Stone discovered that if he turned his notes into a comic book form – chopping up revision into smaller text boxes with images alongside – he could recall the information more easily.
He said: ‘It was a revelation. It was like recalling an episode of The Simpsons and the information was staying in.’
He went on to get his first A and his results earned him a place at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee.
He founded Dekko Comics three years ago and they have already attracted the attention of teachers, academics and parents.
The motto of the company is to turn education into fun and help all children, but especially those who struggle with a lot of text.
He said: ‘Imagine if I had discovered all this much earlier? I want to share this technique because it can help other children.’
Mr Stone has been working full-time on the comics since 2015. Now four staff members produce one issue a month.
He said: ‘It has come full circle. I studied in Dundee, home of The Beano, had a job for a time teaching and now those things have all come together in Dekko Comics.’
Two of Scotland’s local authorities are already using the comics, which feature maths and English in every issue.
Mr Stone has had orders from the United States and the comics will be translated into other languages.
‘Desperately trying to succeed’