Issue 31: The Dystinct Journey of Chloe

There is rarely a quiet moment in Chloe's week. Dance is her greatest passion, and she spends much of her free time at the studio, taking 12 classes each week in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, and musical theatre. She also performs with her dance school's competition troupe and loves every opportunity to sing, dance and step onto the stage. When she's not dancing, you'll usually find her watching the AFL with her mum, proudly barracking for Collingwood.

Like many children her age, Chloe's early school years were shaped by COVID and home schooling, making it difficult to recognise that she was learning differently. As classroom learning became more consistent, her family began to notice she was struggling. She was eventually diagnosed with dyslexia and began attending DyslexAbility, where her confidence and literacy skills have continued to grow.

Her mum, Nyree, says DyslexAbility has given Chloe the confidence to keep trying instead of giving up when something feels difficult. Today, she asks for help when she needs it, reads chapter books and is tackling the reading, songs and scripts required for her musical theatre exams. Chloe no longer believes dyslexia defines what she can achieve. "I am not dumb," she says. "I just learn differently." With her sights firmly set on performing, she dreams of one day dancing on a big stage for the people she loves.

Meet Chloe

What are some of your favourite hobbies, interests, or activities?
I love to dance; I currently do 12 dance classes a week. I do standard Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre. I do exam classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Theatrical and Contemporary. I also take a Ballet extension class to help with my Ballet exam class, and this year is my second year in my dance school’s troupe, where we participate in competitions. I love to dance, sing and perform. When I am not dancing, I love to watch AFL football with my mum. We barrack for Collingwood, and I have been going with my mum since I was a few weeks old.

What is your favourite thing about performing on stage?
Showing everyone my dances and hearing everyone cheer for me.

How do you feel just before you go on stage?
Excited and happy.

What was it like doing your first dance exam?
I was really nervous, worried and scared.

If you could perform any role in any musical, what would it be?
I would love to play Alice from Alice in Wonderland; it is the musical we are working on for this year’s theatrical exam.

What have you learned about yourself since being diagnosed with dyslexia?
That I am not dumb; I just learn differently.

What do you enjoy most about attending DyslexAbility?
I love going to see my tutor and all the other staff there. They don’t treat me like I am different.

What is something you can do now that would have felt really difficult a few years ago?
I can now read chapter books.

What would you like teachers to understand about students with dyslexia or learning differences?
All kids learn differently, and you shouldn’t make them feel bad about themselves. Also, stop other kids in the class who are at a higher level of learning than them from laughing and making fun of them when they are given easier things to do.

If you could advise another child who has just been diagnosed with dyslexia, what would you say?
It’s ok to feel different. Dyslexia doesn’t matter. What matters is your personality and your friendships.

What are your dreams or goals for the future?
My goal is to get better at reading and writing. My dream is to be on a big stage dancing for everyone I love.

What is one thing you love about yourself?
That I am different to everyone else.

Meet Nyree

When did you first notice that Chloe might be learning differently?
As Chloe started school in 2020, the year of COVID home schooling, that was her main schooling experience. We didn’t really notice much that year as she could do the basics, and my niece is in the same year level as her, so she would copy what my niece was doing. It wasn’t until Grade 1, when learning was a mix of homeschooling and classroom learning, that we began to notice her difficulties. While at home, she was easily distracted and would do anything to get out of doing work. Her teacher at the time would also say she was doing the same thing at school.

What has been one of the biggest challenges your family has faced throughout this journey?
The early challenge was getting her to stop thinking she was dumb and feeling bad about herself because everyone in her class was doing better than her and making fun of her. It was getting her to believe in herself.

What led you to DyslexAbility?
My mum, who was an integration aide before retirement, suggested it may be a learning disability, so my sister, who is a high school maths teacher, made some enquiries with the integration staff at her school, and they suggested contacting DyslexAbility.

What changes have you seen in Chloe since starting at DyslexAbility?
Chloe attempts more things than she would have when she was first diagnosed. Instead of just giving up if something is hard, she will give it a try.

What are some of Chloe's strengths or qualities that make you proud?
Her willingness to give things a try. She never gives up. Her sweet and kind nature. She always helps the younger kids at before-school care and backstage at her dance concerts. She stands up for herself and what she believes in.

What would you like other parents of neurodivergent children to know?
Support them in every way. They are very special kids and just need your love and support. They may learn differently, but that’s what makes them special.

Looking back, what advice would you give yourself at the beginning of this journey?
Be patient with her. She will get there. She just needs your love and support.