Dyslexia

Dyslexia affects the ability to learn to read, write down ideas and stories and spell. There are difficulties with short term memory, for example, remembering the words to copy from the whiteboard in class and the organisation and sequencing of information, for example, remembering the months of the year. The difficulties persist despite normal classroom teaching. Dyslexia also means the person has trouble connecting the sounds that make up words (phonological awareness).

How common is dyslexia?

Dyslexia runs in families and is neurologically based. Dyslexia is on a spectrum and so generally no two dyslexics are alike with their difficulties but the difficulties can be similar. U.K research states that 10% of the population has dyslexia.

The strengths of a dyslexic

There are strengths that come from having dyslexia such as the ability to see the “big picture” of a situation or concept, such as the ability to see the “big picture” of a situation or concept, the ability to solve problems and be solution focused and have great empathy for others. Dyslexics are better at processing visually presented information.

Other issues that can co-exist

Dyslexia also can co-exist with other specific learning difficulties like dyscalculia or dysgraphia and can co-exist with other processing disorders such as Auditory Processing Disorder and Irlen’s Syndrome.

Further information

Davis Dyslexia Association International: 37 common traits