What is Dyslexia? 📖

Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental difference and a specific learning difficulty that affects how a person reads, writes, and processes language. It does not affect intelligence. Many people with dyslexia are creative thinkers and problem-solvers, but without the right support, reading and writing can be frustrating and exhausting.

Signs of Dyslexia

Dyslexia looks different for everyone, but common signs include:

• Difficulty recognising or decoding words.

• Struggles with spelling and remembering sequences.

• Reading that feels slow, effortful, or tiring.

• Mixing up the order of letters or numbers.

• Avoiding reading or writing tasks because they feel overwhelming.

  
  

Dyslexia in Children and Adults

• Children may struggle to keep up with reading and spelling at school, despite trying hard. They may feel anxious or lose confidence when comparing themselves to peers.

• Adults with dyslexia may avoid jobs or tasks involving lots of reading, writing, or paperwork, even though they excel in creative, practical, or problem-solving areas.

Common Myths

❌ Myth: Dyslexia means you can’t read.

✅ Reality: People with dyslexia can learn to read and write - it just takes more time, different strategies, and support.

❌ Myth: Dyslexia is about seeing letters backwards.

✅ Reality: Dyslexia is much more complex - it involves how the brain processes written and spoken language.

❌ Myth: Dyslexia means low intelligence.

✅ Reality: Dyslexia is not linked to intelligence - many people with dyslexia are highly creative, innovative, and successful.

Strengths of Dyslexia

While dyslexia comes with challenges, it can also bring unique strengths, such as:

✨ Creativity: thinking outside the box.

🧩 Problem-solving: seeing connections others might miss.

🎨 Visual thinking: strong imagination and design skills.

💡 Big picture thinking: spotting patterns and ideas.

Support and Strategies

With the right support, people with dyslexia can thrive in school, work, and life.

Helpful strategies include:

• Assistive technology (text-to-speech, audiobooks, spell checkers).

• Structured literacy programmes with phonics-based approaches.

• Extra time in tests and tasks to reduce pressure.

• Visual organisers to support memory and planning.

• Encouragement and understanding from teachers, parents, and employers.

  
  

Why Understanding Matters

Dyslexia is not about failure or lack of effort - it’s about a different way of processing language. When we provide the right support and celebrate strengths, people with dyslexia can thrive, unlocking their creativity and potential.