The 41-year-old “Since U Been Gone” singer opened up to the Happy Days alum about how her eight-year-old daughter River Rose Blackstock was being bullied at school for being dyslexic, while also revealing how much she admires him for writing almost 40 books despite having the learning disability himself.
According to the International Dyslexia Association, “dyslexia is a language-based learning disability” where “people have difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading.” It also states that 15 to 20 percent of the population in the United States have some symptoms of dyslexia.
WebMD also notes that dyslexia “affects your ability to read, spell, write, and speak,” and “kids who have it are often smart and hardworking, but they have trouble connecting the letters they see to the sounds those letters make.”
On the show, Kelly revealed that her daughter – who she shares with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, in addition to seven-year-old son Remington Alexander – was “getting bullied at school for not being able to read like all the other kids.” She also told the Barry actor that she didn’t realize how common dyslexia was until her daughter’s school did a presentation on it, prompting the children’s book author to explain that one in five children actually have the condition.
The “Miss Independent” singer then went on to say how it “really empowered” her daughter that Winkler and other celebrities such as Zachary Levi and Anthony Mackie are “so open” about having dyslexia. The Voice coach then revealed that she tells her daughter about Winkler’s writing achievements in the hope that it will inspire her too.
“I was driving my daughter to school yesterday, and she’s dyslexic. And you have told me that you’re dyslexic as well,” the American Idol alum explained. “I find that amazing, to tell my daughter that you’ve written like 40 books and you’re dyslexic.” The Arrested Development star then said, “She’s part of the tribe!” He also exclaimed, “I have books for her!” to which Kelly excitedly replied, “I know. I have them!”
And then perhaps the most emotional moment of the show happened, as the Hank Zipzer author then turned to the camera and addressed Kelly’s daughter directly, saying: “River, how you learn has nothing to do with how brilliant you are.” The “Stronger” singer was understandably moved to tears and even grabbed a tissue to wipe some tears from the bottom of her eyes. She then joked: “Oh, fine. It’s fine. My makeup artist is going to kill me.”