Do the housemates know Alicia is dyslexic?

[Headie]

LOVE Island contestant Alicia Douvall has revealed she does not know the alphabet because she is dyslexic.

The blonde was branded Britain's dimmest celebrity after failing to recite her A to Z, muddling the letters G and J during one of the tasks on the ITV show.

Covering up the condition, she told other contestants: "I've never needed my alphabet - I can do the splits."

Now the 27-year-old single mum has put down her failure to dyslexia, which she says went undiagnosed by her posh Surrey school and was dismissed by her father as a "bull disease".

She said: "The school didn't understand dyslexia at all - they branded me thick. So I was brought up to believe I was stupid."

Alicia, who has had six breast enlargements, three nose jobs, liposuction and a tummy tuck, was expelled from school at 15.

She fell pregnant and moved into a hostel where she began bringing up her baby daughter Georgia.

She added: "It was the worst possible experience. It was that which made me determined to get away and make something of my life, for Georgie."

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Douvall+reveals+dyslexia+secret.-a0151488956

Feel really sorry for her being called thick and stupid by all the other housemates :(

[Creggle]

Does dyslexia affect comprehension and general intelligence, or just your reading/writing skills? If somebody is thick who is dyslexic, it isn't because they are dyslexic.

[daniel-lewis-1985]

My little brothers dyslexic and I know how frustrated and upset he gets with himself for not being to be as quick as everyone else.

Its disgusting that they call her thick and dumb I literally want to reach into the tv and smear poo on Cami's face.

[Creggle]

My little brothers dyslexic and I know how frustrated and upset he gets with himself for not being to be as quick as everyone else.

That isn't anything to do with dyslexia though, it is impossible to tell somebody is dyslexic unless they tell you or you see them read/write.

[Josy]

That isn't anything to do with dyslexia though, it is impossible to tell somebody is dyslexic unless they tell you or you see them read/write.

Dyslexia is definitely NOT all about reading/writing it can affect memory, reaction, concentration and a lot more.

So basically for certain housemates to keep mocking Alicia for being slow or thick etc especially to her face is beyond disgusting.

[Jack The Cat]

Does dyslexia affect comprehension and general intelligence, or just your reading/writing skills? If somebody is thick who is dyslexic, it isn't because they are dyslexic.

I know someone who is dyslexic, it does effect his writing and reading skills but he is very sharp verbally and has good common sense. Unless you asked him to read and write you would have no idea.

I don't know anyone else with this condition so couldn't tell you if he is an exception but I have never thought dyslexia reduces general intelligence like downs would for example.

[Jack The Cat]

Dyslexia is definitely NOT all about reading/writing it can affect memory, reaction, concentration and a lot more.

So basically for certain housemates to keep mocking Alicia for being slow or thick etc especially to her face is beyond disgusting.

Fair enough, I guess my friend must be an exception to the rule then.

[InOne]

Did she diagnose herself then? There's a difference between dyslexia and willingness to learn.

[Pincho Paxton]

Science says that there are many myths about dyslexia. Being stupid is one of them. I don't tend to copy what scientists say. I am not sure if they are myths or not. My brother has dyslexia, and he says some pretty strange things.

[Marsh.]

27 year old?

http://replygif.net/i/875.gif

[abhorson]

Frig. The girl does not have a lot going for her!

[Pincho Paxton]

I wasn't really referring to Alicia though. Alicia has come across well in the house I think. She does figure out what is going on quite well in the Diary Room.

[abhorson]

Dyslexia is definitely NOT all about reading/writing it can affect memory, reaction, concentration and a lot more.

So basically for certain housemates to keep mocking Alicia for being slow or thick etc especially to her face is beyond disgusting.

OTT in my opinion. Do they all (especially Americans) know of this womans past.

She is a kiss and teller of the ultimate kind. Dysslexia does not affect this.

[daniel-lewis-1985]

That isn't anything to do with dyslexia though, it is impossible to tell somebody is dyslexic unless they tell you or you see them read/write.

Erm no sorry that's not true. It very much affects behaviour and self confidence amongst other things.

Not everything can be simplified with a label.

[Josy]

OTT in my opinion. Do they all (especially Americans) know of this womans past.

She is a kiss and teller of the ultimate kind. Dysslexia does not affect this.

What is OTT? I was listing some of the symptoms of adult dyslexia to the member that thought the illness solely involved reading and writing :think: you can google to check if you don't believe it.

I am in no way saying Alicia struggles with any of these things I would have no way of knowing that? plus if you know of anyone that suffers from the illness you will also know that symptoms vary greatly from person to person.

I still think that calling her thick, slow etc is disgusting..

[armand.kay]

I don't think they know tbh.

[daniel-lewis-1985]

I don't think they know tbh.

Seeing as they are all late twenties and well over 30's I would have thought they would think to themselves **Maybe she has learning difficulties**?

Or am I being crazy?

[power2thepeople]

Dyslexia is definitely NOT all about reading/writing it can affect memory, reaction, concentration and a lot more.

So basically for certain housemates to keep mocking Alicia for being slow or thick etc especially to her face is beyond disgusting.

Most definitely. I've worked with Dyslexic students and I had to learn the hard way that no one dyslexic individual is necessarily the same as another and it can affect a multitude of things. Like yourself, I think it's vile how some of them can sneeringly brand her 'slow'. Particularly Michelle who claims to protect everyone. I hope she comes out of the house and takes a huge dose of the 'learning' she pompously preaches that others don't take from her.

[smudgie]

I don't thnk dyslexia makes you thick.

She does come across as a bit dim, but I think it has more to do with her personality and choices in life.


My daughter is dyslexic, she is head of Dept in a secondary school, she just had to work a lot harder to get there really.

[Withano]

Would you not need to have above average intelligence to be diagnosed with dyslexia?

[abhorson]

What is OTT? I was listing some of the symptoms of adult dyslexia to the member that thought the illness solely involved reading and writing :think: you can google to check if you don't believe it.

I am in no way saying Alicia struggles with any of these things I would have no way of knowing that? plus if you know of anyone that suffers from the illness you will also know that symptoms vary greatly from person to person.

I still think that calling her thick, slow etc is disgusting..


So basically for certain housemates to keep mocking Alicia for being slow or thick etc especially to her face is beyond disgusting.

Because they don't know. OTT.

[bots]

Dyslexia is definitely NOT all about reading/writing it can affect memory, reaction, concentration and a lot more.

So basically for certain housemates to keep mocking Alicia for being slow or thick etc especially to her face is beyond disgusting.

Its not acceptable in any circumstances to be honest, whether she has dyslexia or not. She earned her place in the house and should not be ridiculed over something she can do nothing about

[Josy]

So basically for certain housemates to keep mocking Alicia for being slow or thick etc especially to her face is beyond disgusting.

Because they don't know. OTT.

Continuously saying that to anyone's face is disgusting, without even bringing dyslexia into it...so if they do know then that's even worse.

[Marsh.]

So basically for certain housemates to keep mocking Alicia for being slow or thick etc especially to her face is beyond disgusting.

Because they don't know. OTT.

So because they don't know of her learning difficulties it makes their ridicule of her ok? :crazy:

[abhorson]

Continuously saying that to anyone's face is disgusting, without even bringing dyslexia into it...so if they do know then that's even worse.

But they don't.

[Josy]

But they don't.

It's still disgusting though

[abhorson]

So because they don't know of her learning difficulties it makes their ridicule of her ok? :crazy:

Welcome to BB:laugh:

[Marsh.]

Welcome to BB:laugh:

Sorry? Would you like to say something that actually relates to the post you quoted? :)

[Creggle]

I know someone who is dyslexic, it does effect his writing and reading skills but he is very sharp verbally and has good common sense. Unless you asked him to read and write you would have no idea.

^^^

I can see why it would effect confidence but dyslexia does not effect somebodies general intelligence, Alicia is dim because she is dim, dyslexia is not the reason. It's more insulting to say dyslexic people have an excuse to be below average intelligence, I know alot of people with it who are sharper than me.

[abhorson]

It's still disgusting though

I agree, if they knew.

[abhorson]

Sorry? Would you like to say something that actually relates to the post you quoted? :)

Read back about Dyslexia posts. You will understand.

[Marsh.]

Read back about Dyslexia posts. You will understand.

I already do. You think their ridiculing of her intelligence is ok because they don't know about her dyslexia. Despite the fact that it doesn't matter.

[Kizzy]

Poor Alicia, fancy her family turning their backs on her she seems so sweet :(

[abhorson]

As i said, some with Dyslexia are now the brightest people in the UK.

[Josy]

^^^

I can see why it would effect confidence but dyslexia does not effect somebodies general intelligence, Alicia is dim because she is dim, dyslexia is not the reason. It's more insulting to say dyslexic people have an excuse to be below average intelligence, I know alot of people with it who are sharper than me.

Then you should also know that symptoms are barely the exact same for each person that suffers with it.

I agree, if they knew.

It's disgusting regardless IMO.

[abhorson]

I already do. You think their ridiculing of her intelligence is ok because they don't know about her dyslexia. Despite the fact that it doesn't matter.

Spin as much as you wish.:laugh: Mr Campbell.

[power2thepeople]

^^^

I can see why it would effect confidence but dyslexia does not effect somebodies general intelligence, Alicia is dim because she is dim, dyslexia is not the reason. It's more insulting to say dyslexic people have an excuse to be below average intelligence, I know alot of people with it who are sharper than me.

Absolutely. But that presumes she had support to access education if and when her dyslexia created obstacles? It's far more supported now as an educational need as it would have been when she was at school?

[MTVN]

Mmm honestly I think this is being made too much of, near on every series there is someone who gets the mick taken out of them a bit for being an 'airhead' or a 'bimbo', people never seem to have so many qualms about noting the stupidity of TOWIE contestants. Joey Essex has dyslexia as well but most people still thought it was ridiculous that he couldn't tell the time and that he thought Richard and Judy created the world. Remember as well that Alicia also accused Katie of being thick.

[Marsh.]

Spin as much as you wish.:laugh: Mr Campbell.

Again, would you like to stick to the topic?

[power2thepeople]

Mmm honestly I think this is being made too much of, near on every series there is someone who gets the mick taken out of them a bit for being an 'airhead' or a 'bimbo', people never seem to have so many qualms about noting the stupidity of TOWIE contestants. Joey Essex has dyslexia as well but most people still thought it was ridiculous that he couldn't tell the time and that he thought Richard and Judy created the world. Remember as well that Alicia also accused Katie of being thick.

I can see the point but Joey Essex is quite comfortable with this and many of these moments are on shows such as Celebrity Juice. He is loved for it and it's obviously his choice to draw attention to some of the gaps in his knowledge or he wouldn't play the quiz games. There is no sneering atmosphere that goes with it. It's almost embraced as a lovely quality to him and not used to berate him with? Actually, It would have been interesting to see someone such as Joey go in to see the reaction from HM's to his 'knowledge'? But point taken.

[bots]

Mmm honestly I think this is being made too much of, near on every series there is someone who gets the mick taken out of them a bit for being an 'airhead' or a 'bimbo', people never seem to have so many qualms about noting the stupidity of TOWIE contestants. Joey Essex has dyslexia as well but most people still thought it was ridiculous that he couldn't tell the time and that he thought Richard and Judy created the world. Remember as well that Alicia also accused Katie of being thick.

There is a difference, if its done maliciously, its not funny and its not pleasant. Also, it depends on the person. On this occasion, it is getting quite nasty. Similar to when they were being nasty to Gary last series with his deafness, it wasn't right.

[Drew.]

Dyslexia is definitely NOT all about reading/writing it can affect memory, reaction, concentration and a lot more.

So basically for certain housemates to keep mocking Alicia for being slow or thick etc especially to her face is beyond disgusting.

:clap1:

[Jason.]

http://bigbrother.channel5.com/day-13-alicias-annoying-abits

Shocked at how bitchy and two-faced Calum's becoming. As for Michelle. I really don't understand how she's the most popular housemate whilst she treats people like ****.

Disgusting behaviour.

[MTVN]

I can see the point but Joey Essex is quite comfortable with this and many of these moments are on shows such as Celebrity Juice. He is loved for it and it's obviously his choice to draw attention to some of the gaps in his knowledge or he wouldn't play the quiz games. There is no sneering atmosphere that goes with it. It's almost embraced as a lovely quality to him and not used to berate him with? Actually, It would have been interesting to see someone such as Joey go in to see the reaction from HM's to his 'knowledge'? But point taken.

There is a difference, if its done maliciously, its not funny and its not pleasant. Also, it depends on the person. On this occasion, it is getting quite nasty. Similar to when they were being nasty to Gary last series with his deafness, it wasn't right.

Well it's a fair enough point I suppose, can hold my hands up and say I have called her stupid without really thinking through any difficulties she might have had etc. We don't know the full story of her background and experiences but that is true with all of them: we can't know the full story of why the housemates are who they are so I'm not sure we can expect them to assume that Alicia had learning difficulties or assume that her school and parents were not supportive enough. Honestly if I heard that a woman in her 30s didn't know the alphabet my first thought would be to ask why she didn't take the time to learn something so fundamental. If I thought that someone wasn't following what I was saying my first thought would more likely be that they aren't listening closely enough and that they're not paying enough attention. Also I do feel that for everyone there is some level of personal responsibility for education, it's sad that her school didn't support her but there's been nothing stopping her pursuing education since then especially because she's fortunate to not have had money issues. Obviously she is capable of learning the alphabet because she has done now but why did it take her till in her 30s to do so? I think the same about Joey Essex, I don't really agree with him having his stupidity as one of his selling points. If he truly didn't know how to tell the time, if he truly did think the world was made by Richard and Judy, then something has gone wrong with that kid's schooling

[Headie]

27 year old?

http://replygif.net/i/875.gif

It's an old article from when she was on love island

[Headie]

Btw I wasn't saying having dyslexia makes you stupid, I was saying I feel sorry for Alicia being called stupid all the time because I bet she gets easily frustrated when she finds things more difficult than others.

[Headie]

Katie Hopkins once again blasted Alicia for being “stupid” after model revealed she apparently didn’t know the alphabet or “math”.

“She can’t function,” Michelle Visage commented.
:(

[Cherie]

Whether she has a learning difficulty or not it is not very nice to mock her either to her face or behind her back, and just because she has sold stories doesn't make it right either. Most of them mocking her have probably done alot worse in their time.

[Cherie]

:(

Alot of adults leave school without being able to read or write a sad situation for our education system, maybe Hopkins could do some good and tweet about that.

[Cherie]

Mmm honestly I think this is being made too much of, near on every series there is someone who gets the mick taken out of them a bit for being an 'airhead' or a 'bimbo', people never seem to have so many qualms about noting the stupidity of TOWIE contestants. Joey Essex has dyslexia as well but most people still thought it was ridiculous that he couldn't tell the time and that he thought Richard and Judy created the world. Remember as well that Alicia also accused Katie of being thick.

Nobody ridiculed him though that is the difference, it was considered "adorable"etc etc

[jennyjuniper]

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Douvall+reveals+dyslexia+secret.-a0151488956

Feel really sorry for her being called thick and stupid by all the other housemates :(

To start with, Alicia is 35 not 27. She didn't bring up Georgia until she was 7, because Alicia's mother wouldn't let her, due to Alicia's lifestyle.
Alicia is very good at making people feel sorry for her. She spun that storyline to Cheggers, who bless him, fell for it. He went round telling the others that 'poor Alicia' is a young mum struggling to bring up her kids and get her skincare range going from her garage.
In reality she lives with/off a rich man, who is financing her skincare range.
Dyslexia can be very debilitating and I genuinely feel sorry for people who have this condition. BUT with hard work and perserverance, some of the difficulties associated with that condition can be overcome.
I think Alicia is the type to want things easy and to put the blame squarely on someone else's shoulders when things go wrong.

[empire]

some of the greatest inventors in the world have Dyslexia, bill gates is one of them,knowledge is the key factor in learning. people have this bad obsession with being smart,cami made herself look like a right tit for saying words like dumb and thick, for her age she acts like a 14 year old,

[jennyjuniper]

If Alicia is dyslexic, surely she would have been delighted that her eldest daughter is a clever girl who wanted to go to uni and have a career? Instead this bimbo wanted her to leave school at 16, have a boob job and marry a rich man!!

[Tip]

If Alicia is dyslexic, surely she would have been delighted that her eldest daughter is a clever girl who wanted to go to uni and have a career? Instead this bimbo wanted her to leave school at 16, have a boob job and marry a rich man!!

Yes, it's strange isn't it. Once upon a time such thinking was culturally normal and some fought hard for things to change.

Nonetheless this kind of thinking still exists quite widely, I've even seen it increasing again as people with degrees weren't finding secure employment necessarily.

[mizzy25]

I thought she was way older than 27. She seems generally quite slow.

[Josy]

I thought she was way older than 27. She seems generally quite slow.

She is Mizzy, she's 35 iirc it's just an article from when she was 27..

[ebandit]

ah? the d card...................i'm hanging my head in shame for poking

fun it dizzy alicia

stooopid as stooopid is...................i'm not the only one

Mark L

[anne666]

It's still disgusting though

Exactly. Dyslexic or not. Nothing excuses their cruel childishness. What would we say to our children treating anyone in this manner?
They are supposed to be adults.
For what it's worth I think she is dyslexic and it's often something the sufferer feels shame about and doesn't want those around them to know. She will have missed huge chunks of basic education, which we all take for granted and dyslexia that has nothing to do with lack of intellect. Often quite the reverse. She certainly hasn't any problems in discerning the characters of the HM's and has far more insight than most of them.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dyslexia/Pages/Symptoms.aspx



Signs and symptoms
Dyslexia is a spectrum disorder, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. People with dyslexia have particular difficulty with:
phonological awareness
verbal memory
rapid serial naming
verbal processing speed

Associated symptoms of dyslexia
Some people with dyslexia also have other problems not directly connected to reading or writing, such as:
difficulties with numbers (dyscalculia)
poor short-term memory
problems concentrating and a short attention span
poor organisation and time-management
physical coordination problems (dyspraxia)

[Niamh.]

Continuously saying that to anyone's face is disgusting, without even bringing dyslexia into it...so if they do know then that's even worse.

Absolutely agree, I don't get this new way of thinking it's fine to be nasty and insulting to people because you're "just being honest" when did that happen? What ever happened to manners and treating people with a bit of respect and having a bit of tact so you don't make a person feel like a worthless piece of s**t? I feel bad for Alicia because by the sound of things she's said, that kind of thing started for her from when she was a kid, by her own father, it's no wonder she ended up a little messed up

[anne666]

If Alicia is dyslexic, surely she would have been delighted that her eldest daughter is a clever girl who wanted to go to uni and have a career? Instead this bimbo wanted her to leave school at 16, have a boob job and marry a rich man!!

That was a few years ago and I agree it was shocking to watch.. She sought help for her body dysmorphia/surgery addiction because of her daughter. It's a pity this is still being used to put her down along with the hilarious for naughty kids "thick" tag.. People with addictions often aren't rational and behave destructively towards themselves and others. No-one butchers themselves in that way if they are healthy.
Dyslexia sufferers can go on to develop all manner of disorders because of the non acceptance, lack of self esteem and the ridicule they often have to cope with. Even now getting the correct support for dyslexia at school age is a battle and impossible in some areas.

Sadly she was a pretty young girl. I question surgeons without morals who capitalise on women like her.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/celebrity-big-brother-star-alicia-4939828

[anne666]

To start with, Alicia is 35 not 27. She didn't bring up Georgia until she was 7, because Alicia's mother wouldn't let her, due to Alicia's lifestyle.
Alicia is very good at making people feel sorry for her. She spun that storyline to Cheggers, who bless him, fell for it. He went round telling the others that 'poor Alicia' is a young mum struggling to bring up her kids and get her skincare range going from her garage.
In reality she lives with/off a rich man, who is financing her skincare range.
Dyslexia can be very debilitating and I genuinely feel sorry for people who have this condition. BUT with hard work and perserverance, some of the difficulties associated with that condition can be overcome.
I think Alicia is the type to want things easy and to put the blame squarely on someone else's shoulders when things go wrong.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/celebrity-big-brother-alicia-douvall-5006666

[Shaun]

Eh, whilst Katie has indeed called her thick isn't most of the criticism aimed at Alicia more to do with her emotional intelligence? i.e. buying Perez's BS

I'm not sure that's anything to do with dyslexia.

[Pincho Paxton]

some of the greatest inventors in the world have Dyslexia, bill gates is one of them,knowledge is the key factor in learning. people have this bad obsession with being smart,cami made herself look like a right tit for saying words like dumb and thick, for her age she acts like a 14 year old,

Bill Gates stole his idea off someone else, so that doesn't count.

[Tarryn]

To start with, Alicia is 35 not 27. She didn't bring up Georgia until she was 7, because Alicia's mother wouldn't let her, due to Alicia's lifestyle.
Alicia is very good at making people feel sorry for her. She spun that storyline to Cheggers, who bless him, fell for it. He went round telling the others that 'poor Alicia' is a young mum struggling to bring up her kids and get her skincare range going from her garage.
In reality she lives with/off a rich man, who is financing her skincare range.
Dyslexia can be very debilitating and I genuinely feel sorry for people who have this condition. BUT with hard work and perserverance, some of the difficulties associated with that condition can be overcome.
I think Alicia is the type to want things easy and to put the blame squarely on someone else's shoulders when things go wrong.
But others are judging Katie H for how she is IN the house when we all know how nasty she is OUTSIDE the house.
So why are we judging Alicia on outside ?.
Let's face it, most of those Celebs have something in their past which is not nice.
Are you perfect ?. No person is.

[Josy]

Eh, whilst Katie has indeed called her thick isn't most of the criticism aimed at Alicia more to do with her emotional intelligence? i.e. buying Perez's BS

I'm not sure that's anything to do with dyslexia.

They were calling her 'thick' 'slow' etc before the Perez dramas though

[Josy]

Absolutely agree, I don't get this new way of thinking it's fine to be nasty and insulting to people because you're "just being honest" when did that happen? What ever happened to manners and treating people with a bit of respect and having a bit of tact so you don't make a person feel like a worthless piece of s**t? I feel bad for Alicia because by the sound of things she's said, that kind of thing started for her from when she was a kid, by her own father, it's no wonder she ended up a little messed up

I agree with this, plenty of people have not so nice thoughts about others but being brought up with as you say respect and manners we know when to keep our mouth shut and keep our not so nice thoughts to ourselves.

[Tarryn]

Absolutely agree, I don't get this new way of thinking it's fine to be nasty and insulting to people because you're "just being honest" when did that happen? What ever happened to manners and treating people with a bit of respect and having a bit of tact so you don't make a person feel like a worthless piece of s**t? I feel bad for Alicia because by the sound of things she's said, that kind of thing started for her from when she was a kid, by her own father, it's no wonder she ended up a little messed up

It's nice to know there are other people out there who think like this.
Give me a good, well mannered person any day over people like Katie H.