Kelly Clarkson Gets Candid To Henry Winkler About Her Daughter's Dyslexia, School Bullying

Kelly Clarkson Henry Winkler dyslexia The Kelly Clarkson Show

By E.Baloyo , Parent Herald Apr 20, 09:18 am

Photo: (Photo : kevin Winter/ Getty Images)

Kelly Clarkson, the American singer, songwriter, and talk show host, recently got candid with actor and author Henry Winkler about her 8-year-old daughter River's dyslexia struggles on her talk show.

While discussing Winkler's writing accomplishments on the show, Clarkson revealed that River was facing bullying at school due to her dyslexia, but an inspiring school assembly changed everything.

Here's what happened:

Henry Winkler's Empowering Words for River

During a conversation with Henry Winkler on "The Kelly Clarkson Show," Kelly Clarkson shared her daughter's struggles with dyslexia and the subsequent bullying she experienced at school.

However, Clarkson said that the school organized an assembly showcasing Hollywood stars who have successfully dealt with the learning disability, such as Winkler himself, Anthony Mackie, and Zachary Levi. As per Clarkson, the assembly showcased the success of these celebrities and really empowered her daughter.

According to USA Today, Winkler, who has written 38 books, including his upcoming children's book "Detective Duck," praised the school's efforts to raise awareness about dyslexia.

During their chat, Winkler, who was not diagnosed with dyslexia until he was in his 30s, took a moment to address River directly. He said, "River, how you learn has nothing to do with how brilliant you are."

Winkler emphasized that dyslexia is not a measure of intelligence and that it doesn't limit a person's potential for success.

Clarkson, who shares two children with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, also took the opportunity to applaud Winkler's writing accomplishments. She called him a successful writer and revealed that she had discussed Winkler's dyslexia and writing career with her daughter.

Clarkson said that she found it amazing to tell River that Winkler had written 40 books despite having dyslexia.

What Is Dyslexia?

According to the Mayo Clinic, dyslexia is a condition that affects an individual's ability to read, caused by difficulties in recognizing speech sounds and connecting them to letters and words known as "decoding." It is considered a reading disability that stems from differences in brain regions responsible for language processing.

There are certain indications that can help identify if a young child is at risk of developing dyslexia. These signs include delayed speech development, slow acquisition of new vocabulary, and difficulty articulating words accurately, like switching the sounds in words or mistaking similar-sounding words. The child may also struggle with letter, number, and color recognition, and have trouble memorizing them.

Additionally, they may face challenges in learning nursery rhymes or playing rhyming games. It is important for parents and educators to keep a watchful eye for these signs, as early intervention can greatly benefit children with dyslexia.

Though there's no cure for dyslexia, early assessment and intervention result in the best outcome. Sometimes dyslexia goes undiagnosed for years and isn't recognized until adulthood, but it's never too late to seek help.

Kelly Clarkson Admits the Kids Are Struggling with the Divorce

As per Page Six, Clarkson's personal life has been in the public eye in recent years due to her divorce from Blackstock.

Clarkson and Blackstock's divorce process was marked by legal battles, including a property dispute, a labor dispute over Clarkson's management fees under Blackstock's firm, and a custody battle over their two children.

However, Clarkson was awarded primary custody of the children in November 2020. She acknowledged that it hurts her deeply to witness her children's sorrowful state in regards to their family situation. She further mentioned that her kids express their desire for both her and their father to reside together in the same household.