Monday, July 11, 2011 Tom and Dyslexia Posted by Eric Williams at 5:38 AM

One of the highest paid actors and producers in Hollywood, Tom Cruise, did not always lead such a hunky dory life. He was born in a poor family where his dad had to search for jobs regularly and was always on the move. Due to this Tom would most of the time miss his school, and this coupled with the fact that his mother was a dyslexic, he suffered from dyslexia.

Dyslexia is a disability where the human brain is unable to translate any written images as seen from our eyes into a meaningful statement. It can occur in children with normal speech and intelligence. In Tom’s case although he was not an intellectually bright student, he was able to speak properly but had trouble translating what was being told to him. He also had trouble writing. Tom’s disability was diagnosed as dyslexics do not show any signs till the time they are at school. It can only be slowly diagnosed as the student faces trouble talking, has a limited vocabulary and has difficulty rhyming. Tom himself faced these problems. It was due to his sporting abilities that he in fact cleared college. He himself calls him functionally illiterate.

Then his most controversial statement that is, “Scientology cured my dyslexia” created a furor in the medical community. Doctors vehemently denied that no sect practices can cure dyslexia.
For the common man though there is no need to despair. You do not have to join any sect. But a realization is important here that there is no underlying method to cure dyslexia. It can be controlled through remedial treatment. And the sooner it begins the better. There are certain teaching techniques that are really helpful in altering a child’ brain. So there is always hope at the end of the tunnel, but be aware that the road is gradual.

As far as Tom goes, well we all know how successful he is.