What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that mainly causes problems with reading, writing and spelling. It's a specific learning difficulty, which means it causes problems with certain abilities used for learning, such as reading and writing. Unlike a learning disability, intelligence isn't affected. 

 

Dyslexia is a lifelong problem that can present challenges on a daily basis, but support is available to improve reading and writing skills and help those with the problem be successful at school and work. 

 

What are the signs of dyslexia? 

 

Signs of dyslexia usually become apparent when 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 

• Understand information when told verbally, but have difficulty with information that's written down 

• Find it hard to carry out a sequence of directions 

• Struggle with planning and organisation 

 

People with dyslexia often have good skills in other areas, such as creative thinking and problem solving. 

 

Symptoms in teenagers and adults: 

 

As well as the problems already mentioned, the symptoms of dyslexia in older children and adults can include: 

• Poorly organised written work that lacks expression (for example, even though they may be very knowledgeable about a certain subject, they may have problems expressing that knowledge in writing) 

• Difficulty planning and writing essays, letters or reports 

• Difficulties revising for examinations 

• Trying to avoid reading and writing whenever possible 

• Difficulty taking notes or copying 

• Poor spelling 

• Struggling to remember things such as a PIN or telephone number 

• Struggling to meet deadlines 

 

Support for Adults: 

 

Much of the advice and techniques used to help children with dyslexia are also relevant for adults. 

• Making use of technology, such as word processors and electronic organisers, can help with your writing and organising daily activities 

• Using a multisensory approach to learning can be helpful. For example, you could use a digital recorder to record a lecture and then listen to it as you read your notes 

• It can also be useful to break large tasks and activities down into smaller steps 

• If you need to draw up a plan or make notes about a certain topic, you may find it useful to create a mind map, rather than writing a list 

• Mind maps are diagrams that use images and keywords to create a visual representation of a subject or plan 

 

Adjustments at work: 

 

If you're in work, let your employer know that you have dyslexia, as they're required by law to make reasonable adjustments to the workplace to assist you. 

 

Examples of reasonable adjustments may include: 

• Providing you with assistance technology, such as digital recorders or speech-to-text software 

• Giving you instructions verbally, rather than in writing 

• Allowing you extra time for tasks you find particularly difficult 

• Providing you with information in formats you find accessible