When School Labels Your Child "Lazy": Myfanwy Fitzpatrick on Undiagnosed Dyslexia and Dyspraxia

About this episode

Myfanwy Fitzpatrick shares her journey of overcoming labels and misunderstandings in education due to undiagnosed learning differences.

If your child has ever been labelled at school, this episode is for you. Being called lazy was never the real story. It is a reassurance for any parent advocating for a child who learns differently. Called lazy, placed on the lowest table, and told she would not succeed. The truth was very different. Myfanwy (Van) Fitzpatrick struggled at school not because she lacked ability, but because her dyslexia and dyspraxia went undiagnosed. She absorbed those early labels into her identity for years. Then, despite being written off, she completed multiple university degrees, became a teacher and moved into counselling. This is a conversation about how labels shape a child, the hidden impact of undiagnosed learning differences, and the critical role parents play in advocating when the system gets it wrong. Intelligence is not the grade you get. What you'll discover: • What to do when your child is called lazy at school • Signs of undiagnosed dyslexia and dyspraxia in school • How early labels shape a child's identity and confidence • The turning point of finally being diagnosed and understood • How to advocate for a child who learns differently • Why intelligence is not the grade you get…

People in this episode

Hosts: Laura Pitt, Dan Steele

Guest: Myfanwy Fitzpatrick

Topics covered

• education
• learning differences
• identity
• support
• dyslexia
• dyspraxia
• misunderstanding

Keywords

• dyslexia
• dyspraxia
• education
• identity
• support
• learning differences
• misunderstood
• struggle
• potential

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