Do you think you / your child / someone important in your life may be dyslexic?

What has made you consider this?

Has it been that your child’s school has suggested possible dyslexia?

Have you researched dyslexia and recognise several ‘dyslexic’ strengths and weaknesses in yourself or your child, for example:

• disconnect between strong understanding / oral contribution and written work

• slower speed of working compared to peers

• poor concentration

• difficulties remembering instructions

• difficulties remembering spellings and times tables

• confusion between letters that may look similar

• misreading texts by perhaps adding or missing out words

It may be helpful to read the below definition of dyslexia – taken from the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) website British Dyslexia Association (bdadyslexia.org.uk)

The BDA has adopted the Rose (2009) definition of dyslexia:  

“Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed. Dyslexia occurs across the range of intellectual abilities. It is best thought of as a continuum, not a distinct category, and there are no clear cut-off points.  

Co-occurring difficulties may be seen in aspects of language, motor co-ordination, mental calculation, concentration and personal organisation, but these are not, by themselves, markers of dyslexia. A good indication of the severity and persistence of dyslexic difficulties can be gained by examining how the individual responds or has responded to well-founded intervention”.  

In 2010, the BDA added the below characteristics:  

“The BDA acknowledges the visual and auditory processing difficulties that some individuals with dyslexia can experience and points out that dyslexic readers can show a combination of abilities and difficulties that affect the learning process. Some also have strengths in other areas, such as design, problem-solving, creative skills, interactive skills and oral skills.