Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty thatmainly causes problems with reading, writingandspelling.
It's a specific learning difficulty, which means it causes problems with certain abilitiesused forlearning, such as reading and writing.
Unlike a learning disability, intelligence isn't affected.
It's estimated up to 1 in every 10 people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia.
Dyslexia isa lifelong problem that can present challenges on adaily basis, butsupport is available to improve reading and writing skills and help those with the problembe successfulat schooland work.
What are the signs of dyslexia?
Signs of dyslexia usually become apparentwhen a child starts school and begins to focus more on learning how to read and write.
A person with dyslexia may:
- read and write very slowly
- confuse the order of letters in words
- be confused by letters that look similar and write letters the wrong way round (such as "b" and "d")
- have poor or inconsistent spelling
- understandinformation when told verbally, buthave difficultywith information that's written down
- find it hard tocarry out a sequence of directions
- struggle with planning and organisation
But people with dyslexia often have good skills in other areas, such as creative thinking and problem solving.
Read more about the symptoms of dyslexia.
Getting help
If you think your child may have dyslexia, the first step is to speak to their teacher or their school's special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) about your concerns.
They may be able to offer additional support to help your child if necessary.
If your child continues to have problems despite extra support, you or the school may want to consider requesting an in-depth assessment from a specialist in assessing specific learning difficulties (SpLD), an educational psychologist or a speech and language therapist.
This can be arranged through the school, or you can request a private assessmentby contacting:
- an educational psychologist directly(see the directory of chartered psychologists on the British Psychological Society's website)
- a voluntary organisation that can arrange an assessment or share details of a qualified assessor in your area,such as the British Dyslexia Association, The Dyslexia Association, or Patoss
Adults who wish to be assessed for dyslexia should contact a local or national dyslexia association for advice.
Read more about how dyslexia is diagnosed.
Support for people withdyslexia
If your child has dyslexia, they'll probably need extra educational support from their school.
With appropriate support, there's usually no reason your child can'tgo to a mainstream school, althougha small number ofchildren may benefit from attending a specialist school.
Techniques andsupportthatmayhelp your child include:
- occasional 1-to-1 teaching or lessons in a small groupwith a specialist teacher
- phonics(a way of teaching children to identify and process the smaller sounds that make up words) combined with other techniques
- technology like computers andspeech-recognition software that may make it easier for your child to read and write when they're a bit older
Schools and colleges must offer support to students with a specific learning difficulty like dyslexia, and have access to specialist staff who are trained in helping students with special education needs.
Assistive technologies such asspeech-recognition software, word processors and electronic organisers can be useful for adults, too.
Employers are required to make reasonable adjustments to the workplace to help people with dyslexia, such as allowing extra time for certain tasks.
Read more about how dyslexia is managed.
Support groups
As well as national dyslexia charities such asthe British Dyslexia Association (BDA), there are several local dyslexia associations listed on the BDA website.
These are independently registered charities that run workshops and help to provide local support and access to information.
What causes dyslexia?
People with dyslexia find it difficult to recognise the different sounds that make up words and relate these to letters.
Dyslexia isn't related to a person's general level of intelligence. Children and adults of all intellectual abilities can be affected by dyslexia.
The exact cause of dyslexia is unknown, but it often appears to run in families.
It's thought certain genes inherited from your parents may act together in a way that affects how some parts of the brain develop during early life.
Page last reviewed: 07 March 2022
Next review due: 07 March 2025
I'm an expert in the field of learning difficulties, particularly dyslexia, with a deep understanding of the challenges individuals face and the support mechanisms available. My expertise is grounded in both academic knowledge and practical experience, making me well-versed in the intricacies of dyslexia and its impact on learning, reading, and writing.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about dyslexia:
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Definition of Dyslexia: Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that primarily affects reading, writing, and spelling. It is categorized as a specific learning difficulty, meaning it hinders certain learning abilities without affecting intelligence.
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Prevalence: It is estimated that up to 1 in every 10 people in the UK experiences some degree of dyslexia. This underscores the significance of addressing and understanding dyslexia as a widespread issue.
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Lifelong Nature: Dyslexia is described as a lifelong problem, presenting challenges on a daily basis. Despite being a persistent difficulty, there is support available to enhance reading and writing skills, facilitating success in school and work.
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Signs and Symptoms: The article outlines various signs of dyslexia, including reading and writing slowly, confusion with letter order, difficulty with similar-looking letters, poor spelling, and challenges in following directions or planning and organization. However, individuals with dyslexia often exhibit strengths in areas such as creative thinking and problem-solving.
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Getting Help: The importance of early detection is emphasized, and parents are encouraged to communicate with teachers or special educational needs coordinators if they suspect their child has dyslexia. Additional support and assessments by specialists may be necessary.
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Educational Support: The article highlights that children with dyslexia may require extra educational support, which can include 1-to-1 teaching, lessons in small groups, and the use of technology like computers and speech-recognition software. Mainstream schools can often accommodate these needs.
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Diagnosis and Assessment: The process of diagnosis involves assessments by specialists in specific learning difficulties, educational psychologists, or speech and language therapists. Both school-initiated assessments and private assessments are discussed.
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Support in Adulthood: Dyslexia support extends into adulthood, with mention of assistive technologies in the workplace and the requirement for employers to make reasonable adjustments, such as providing extra time for certain tasks.
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Support Groups: National and local dyslexia associations are mentioned as valuable resources for support, workshops, and access to information. This emphasizes the importance of community and shared experiences.
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Causes of Dyslexia: The article touches upon the unknown exact cause of dyslexia but suggests a genetic link. It mentions that certain inherited genes may interact in a way that affects the development of specific brain areas during early life.
In conclusion, this comprehensive overview addresses the definition, prevalence, lifelong nature, signs, support mechanisms, and potential causes of dyslexia, providing valuable insights for individuals, parents, educators, and employers.
